Masters in Human Services

What Could You Learn in a Masters in Human Services?

A master’s degree in human service may provide students with a foundation of study in human behavior. This type of educational program is typically available to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a related field and wish to pursue more specific education or hope to work in a specific role requiring a graduate degree.

Human services is the field that focuses on helping others. It includes numerous potential career paths and opportunities. Often, the core of this type of program is working to help others to improve their lives through a range of services. It may be a common path for those who wish to work in hospitals but may also be helpful in clinics, schools, religious organizations, and public service overall.

Human Services Master’s Programs Courses May Include

Students who earn a master’s degree in human services program typically take courses in a range of fields. This may include social work, counseling, sociology, and psychology. They may be able to take courses that they are specifically interested in as well as core or foundation courses in the field. Students typically learn how to guide the work other people do through leadership skills and how to make an impact on the lives of other people. Here are a few of the courses that a student may take when earning a Master in Human Services:

Foundations of Human Service

This is often one of the base courses for this program. An overall history of human service as well as how it is applied on all levels are often covered. How to deal with clients as well as interpret data may also play a role in this program.

Social Welfare Policy

The social welfare policy on an international and national level are typically examined as the primary focus of this course. How it applies to social, political, and economic dynamics may also be a part of the program. How these policies are applied and how they affect other policymaking is also often discussed.

Diversity and Cultural Competence in Human Services

This course may cover the importance of diversity and being understanding of it to deliver messages across cultures in the field. Values and cultural competencies are often major topics of discussion in this course.

Introduction to Counseling

This is often an introductory course in this field. This course often provides students with an understanding of what to expect as well as provide a general background of all subject matter through the course of the program.

Human Growth and Development

This course typically goes in depth in the field of human growth and development. Understanding changes over the lifespan of people, and changes in areas such as emotional, physical, social, and cognitive development are often a part of it.

Assessment and Assessment Techniques

This course often serves as an introduction into assessing and testing. Using statistical concepts and applying methods for developing, scoring, and administering these tests may be a part of this course. Students may develop competence in understanding data and research to help improve their assessing abilities..

Find Funding for Human Services Masters Programs

Students who wish to complete a master’s degree may need to find funding to cover the costs of it. According to NCES data, the average cost of a masters degree in 2018 to 2019 was $19,314. For those students who wish to cover those costs, there are several funding options that may be available. Availability depends on multiple factors, including qualifications and needs. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Below are some of the available funding options that may help cover the cost of a graduate degree, though qualifications differ for each person.

Scholarships

Scholarships may be one of the funding options students may wish to pursue when looking to cover the cost of a graduate degree. Scholarships typically provide funds that often do not have to be repaid later. That means students may be able to apply these funds to their tuition or other costs. Options may exist for scholarships for a master’s degree in human services. Students may need to apply for them and beat the competition to earn them.

Federal Loans

One of the options for obtaining a loan to pay for this graduate degree is through federal student loans. These loan programs are often backed by the U.S. federal government. They may provide a range of funding options, but they have various specific requirements. Students may need to meet specific requirements to qualify for these loans. There are usually fewer graduate program student loans from the federal government than there are undergraduate student loans. Here are some examples to consider:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These are typically available to graduate schools and professional students. Unlike direct subsidized loans, which are made available to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need, direct unsubsidized loans usually do not have a need based requirement. More students may be eligible for them.
• Direct PLUS Loans: These are loans typically made available to professional or graduate level students. They are designed to pay for educational expenses that are typically not paid for through other loans. Eligibility for these loans is not based on financial need, though. However, some require a credit check to be performed, and borrowers may not qualify without meeting other requirements in some cases.
• Direct Consolidation Loans: These loans may enable a student to combine all of their undergraduate and graduate level federal debt into one new loan. This consolidation loan is typically provided after a student completes their education.

Private Student Loans

Another option for some students may be private student loans. These loans often come from third party lenders, not the government. They may be available to cover various costs associated with completing a master’s degree including tuition and books. Each private student loan lender sets their own rules for these loans and terms may differ significantly from federal loans and from each other. Students may wish to take a closer look at each of their options before making a decision on which loan to use. Some of the factors to compare include:

• Credit score and income requirements may be factors
• Limitations on repayment adjustments and terms are common in these loans
• Costs such as interest rates may also differ from one to the other
• Forbearance and consolidation may be limited
• Interest rates may be fixed or variable

Is marriage therapist a great career?

Working as a marriage and family therapist may be one of the career options for those with a master’s degree in human services. Those who work in this field may help people by diagnosing and treating mental health disorders providing a range of therapies. They may work specifically with those who are married or within a family unit. Some of the work they do often includes encouraging individuals and family members to develop skills for managing problems in a constructive manner, asking questions that help to identify feelings and behaviors, and developing individualized treatment plans related to destructive patterns of behavior.

They may also manage case files, counsel clients on concerns such as relationships, child rearing, and home management, and provide support for difficulties related to personal issues. Their typical day often includes counseling clients or patients regarding their specific needs, teaching life skills or strategies to individuals or families, and maintaining client records. They may also need to develop treatment plans for patients or college information about clients.

• Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Skills to do this type of work may include active listening, social perceptiveness, and complex problem solving. They may need to have oral expression and comprehension skills, problem sensitivity abilities, and great communication skills.

To do this type of work, many employers require people to have a master’s degree. Many times this requires licensing on top of education. They may need to have 5 to 7 years of experience in the field as well. Some on-the-job experience may be provided.