Online Masters in Human Services Degree

An online masters in human services degree program is a great option for those who want to work in an administrative role, directly with individuals or at-risk populations, or want to assume more responsibility and managerial roles within their organizations.

A human services career calls for compassion and empathy to help at-risk populations such as drug addicts or people living in extreme poverty. Having a degree in human services may also involve working with the aging population. If you want to make a difference and help these individuals, online human services master degree programs can give you the skills and background you need.

Besides dealing directly with populations and individuals, a masters in human services online programs prepare learners for management positions in an organization.

Colleges that offer Online Masters Degrees in Human Services Programs

Capella University - offers the following online masters in human services degrees:

• Masters in Human Services - General Human Services
• Masters in Human Services - Counseling Studies
• Masters in Human Services - Marital, Couple, and Family Counsel/Therapy
• Masters in Human Services - Mental Health Counseling
• Masters in Human Services - School Counseling
• Masters in Human Services - Social and Community Services
• Masters in Human Services - Gerontology
• Masters in Human Services - Health Care Administration
• Masters in Human Services - Management for Nonprofit Agencies
• Masters in Human Services - General Human Service
• Masters in Public Health - Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Masters in Public Health - Management and Policy
• Masters in Public Safety - Criminal Justice
• Masters in Public Safety - Emergency Management
• Masters in Public Safety - Public Safety Leadership

Liberty University is the world's largest Evangelical university. As an accredited online Christian college, Liberty University offers the following masters online human services degree programs among other disciplines:

• Master in Human Services - Business Management
• Master in Human Services - Christian Ministries
• Master in Human Services - Executive Leadership
• Master in Human Services - Health and Wellness

Post University Online offers the following online masters in human services degree programs:

• M.S. degree in Human Services
• M.S. in Human Services - Clinical Counseling
• M.S. in Human Services - Drug and Alcohol Counseling

Online Human Services Master Degree Programs - Education & Training

A human services education may provide a broad general skill set (general human services degree program) or may be specialized in areas such as non-profit management, gerontology or social and community services. Depending on the specialization you choose, coursework may include how to observe and interview patients, how to record and track information and how to implement treatments.

You may learn how to handle case management, the proper referral procedures among organizations and government programs, and how to identify and assist at-risk individuals and populations. Crisis intervention, conflict resolution, group dynamics and basic problem skills are essential courses if you expect to deal with some unusual, high-stress situations. Depending on the program, you may also learn about developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and ethics and legal issues.

An online graduate degree in human services may also equip learners with skills on how to examine and shape the development of human service policies and programs that play an important role in caring for vulnerable and at-risk populations. You'll learn to review human service social policy issues, such as privatization of welfare, the impact of immigration, trends in mental health care and often-debated topics of education.

Depending on the specialization within the online human services degree, and state of employment, human services employees may be required to get specific state licenses in addition to a campus or online human services degree program.

Master Degree in Human Services vs. a Master Degree in Social Work

An online master degree in human services and a master degree in social work are disciplines that lead graduates to careers in social services, and may include some shared core curriculum classes.

The primary difference is that an online human services degree provides curriculum and skills pertaining to a broad range of service careers, whereas a social work degree typically focuses on only one area or concentration. If you plan to become a social worker, you will find a Master's in Social Work (MSW) degree more helpful. If you prefer a more general approach to your education, online human services master degree programs might be a better choice for you.

Career Options and Salaries with a Human Services Masters Degree

After completing campus or an online graduate degree program in human services, you may:

• Develop employee assistance programs;
• Facilitate community involvement;
• Explore organizational behavior and leadership issues;
• Create and manage organizations that provide aid to at-risk populations.

Because human services degrees provide a more general focus, they prepare graduates for a wide range of career options, including:

• Social work;
• Case management;
• Counseling;
• Gerontology;
• Community support and outreach;
• Mental healthcare.

Most of these careers fall under the "social work" umbrella, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that as of 2008, the median income for social workers was $39,530. Mental health and substance abuse social workers reported a median income of $38,200 in 2009. Social work and human services managers who have increased responsibility and plan and oversee programs reported a median income of $56,600 in 2009.

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