Human Services Online Masters Programs and Degrees

Online Masters in Human Services Programs General Information

If you aspire to work in a professional capacity in a community service-oriented role but need a flexible study format, you might consider enrolling in a Online Masters in Human Services program. An online master's degree program in human services is a professional development program that allows students to increase their expertise and understanding in community, health, and/or social service topics.

Is a Masters Degree in Human Services Right For You?

Studying human services can be interdisciplinary, as it explores human behavior, human development, and how culture, society and economic structures affect this behavior. The main goal is to learn methods of meeting human needs through an applied knowledge base, focusing on prevention and solving problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life to different populations.

FACT: 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.^{i]

Potential Jobs in Human Services

The field of Human Services is vast and contains a wide variety of potential careers. The two different ‘levels’ of professionals trained in the field are:

Those who provide direct counseling and guidance such as such as social workers or those who, in a professional capacity, help veterans, the homeless, or take care of child welfare.

Those who work in leadership positions where they may potentially improve public health, safety and economic conditions for their community.

Graduates who aspire to careers in psychology, sociology, business and counseling may benefit from a Human Services Masters degree as it may give them the professional development

to deal with specific issues that have the common thread:

Identifying what kinds of interventions will help to bring about the highest functioning in a given human system
Having the ability to have a strategy to implement and analyze the effectiveness of interventions
Maintaining consistency in the application of appropriate interventions
Having excellent process skills to both plan and implement services.

Working to provide services such as counseling or to affect policy changes may require a master’s degree, licensing, and in some cases, a doctoral degree. Research your intended career choice well so that the Human Services school you choose has a program that will prepare you for the intended outcome.

Some of the different types of careers might include:

Clinical social worker
Director of social work
Hospice social worker
Social work case manager
Adoption services manager
Director of Child Welfare Services
Mental Health Counselor
Marriage & Family therapist
Community Health worker

Potential Benefits to Online Masters in Human Services Programs

With the advances in educational technology, many schools offer students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in Human Services through distance learning. While the curriculum format may vary, you still have the chance to get a quality education, as the program may in fact mirror its campus counterpart. Digital tools are used to keep you connected to your faculty and classmates, provide resources for research via online libraries, and allow you to submit your work without ever having to leave your desk! If you work well independently and have a reliable computer and Internet connection, online study allows you scheduling flexibility.

If this sounds like the best option for you, browse programs on the GradSchools.com directory such as Online Master of Human Services-Human Services Leadership and Management Track, online Family and Community Services Master’s Degree, or online MS in Human Services.

These are only a few of your choices! Remember to request information from each school. 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.

Ready To Pursue an Online Masters in Human Services degree?

The impact a human services professional has on society is significant and is felt throughout society from elder care, health care education, public policy planning, and criminal justice to the needs of the homeless, the less fortunate, the abused, and beyond. If this sounds rewarding, earning your degree online may be a great way to get started; check through the choices on GradSchools.com to find the one that fits!

Sources [i] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm | onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1022.00 | onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9151.00 | bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm | bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm | onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1092.00