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A Masters in Human Services​ Program is designed for graduate students who have a desire to understand and work with individuals, families and communities in a variety of potential careers with a service-oriented focus. Masters in Human Services programs accommodate are multidisciplinary and tend to cover an assortment of social science topics designed to prepare students for working in a broad range of community, health or social service organizations.

What Can You Do With a Masters in Human Services?

What is a Human Services Masters Degree Program?

As an academic discipline, human services masters degree programs are interdisciplinary. The main objective in a Masters in Human Services is to learn about the methods of meeting human needs through an applied knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life to different populations.  Human Services professionals are those who help guide and counsel people in times of a crisis such as helping the homeless who are seeking shelter, food and a safe environment or children in abusive households. They are also professionals who work in leadership positions where they may potentially improve public health, safety and economic conditions for their community. 

What Type Of Masters Degree Program in Human Services is Right For You?

Finding the Human Services Masters program that aligns with your interests and goals is made simpler using the search tools on GradSchools.com. There are different ways to go about reviewing your options. A location will find masters programs by city, state or country. This type of search is useful if you want to look into Campus or Hybrid programs that have an onsite component. Otherwise, search for masters in human services online to find distance-learning options.

Some of the listings might include:

Family and Community Services Master’s Degree, Master of Sciences in Human Services-Administration, MS Human Services, Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling.

Masters of Human Services Potential Coursework & Specialization

A master's degree program in human services is considered a professional development program that offers students the opportunity to enhance their expertise in community, health, and/or social service topics. Admissions to masters degree programs in Human Services usually requires a Bachelor’s degree and students may be required to go through an internship period. Many Masters in Human Services programs require students to take core classes that may focus on ethics, business, psychology, sociology and/or religious counseling. Students might also explore basic course topics that may include:

  • Interpersonal communication
  • Group dynamics
  • Child development
  • Counseling
  • Society and law
  • Policy analysis
  • Statistics
  • Program management

The focus of master's degree programs in human services curriculums will typically vary based upon a student's field of specialization.

Human Services: Concentration Areas For Masters Students

Some programs allow students the flexibility to select an area of concentration, such as child development or group dynamics. Other examples of concentration options may include:

  • Business
  • Family
  • Social Work
  • Counseling
  • Health
  • Faith
  • Education
  • Organizational leadership

What Can You Do With a Masters in Human Services?

Graduates who aspire to careers in psychology, sociology, business and counseling may benefit from a Human Services Masters degree. Here are some human services careers you can work in with your Master's Degree: 

  • Counselors
  • Social workers
  • Human resource managers
  • Group managers
  • Healthcare consultants

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Community and Social Occupations include:

  • Health Educators and Community Health Workers
  • Mental Health Counselors
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Probation Officers
  • Correctional Treatment Specialists
  • Rehabilitation Counselors
  • School and Career Counselors
  • Social and Human Services Assistants
  • Social Workers

Furthermore, the BLS predicts that employment of community and social service occupations will grow 10 percent from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the average for all occupations, and will be adding about 257,700 jobs. Most new jobs in this occupational group will be in the healthcare and social assistance industry. The median annual wage for community and social service occupations was $41,290 in May 2014, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $35,540.[i]

FUN FACT: Although most social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of post-master’s experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.[ii]

Ready to Pursue a Masters Degree in Human Services?

Many of the different career options that the human services field encompasses require candidates with a Master’s degree. Why not look into the various programs on GradSchools.com to find the graduate program that resonates and aligns with your goals!

Sources: [i] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/home.htm | bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm | bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm | bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm | [ii] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm

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