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MS in Human Services
Request InformationImpact lives and shape the social change you want to see with Walden’s MS in Human Services program.
Next start dates
- Course-Based Courses with a set schedule May 31, 2021
Transfer Credits
- Up to 24 Credits
Gain the skills you need to help those who need it most
If you want to change lives, trust Walden to help set your goals in motion. A master’s in human services degree focuses on developing the practical and leadership skills necessary to make a positive difference for individuals, families, and communities.
CSHSE-ALIGNED CURRICULUM
Our coursework aligns with rigorous professional standards set forth by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).
Marketable Skills
Gain the expertise employers seek in areas such as grant writing, ethical and legal considerations, and communication and writing skills.
Engaging Curriculum
Engage in an interactive learning community that brings concepts to life through simulations and animated case studies.
International Perspective
Broaden your global understanding of the human services field and prepare to pursue opportunities around the world.
Multiple Specializations
Choose from a wide range of specializations to tailor your learning to your personal passions and career goals.
Program Savings
Speak with an Enrollment Specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.
Get Started NowGeneral Program
Explore the full spectrum of human services competencies and strategies to prepare you to make a greater difference in the community you serve.
Community and Social Services
This specialization prepares you to work in community social work in nonlicensure roles.
Criminal Justice
Explore both traditional and contemporary intervention and rehabilitation approaches for offenders as well as their victims.
Disaster Crisis and Intervention
This specialization focuses on theories and strategies to meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities in crisis.
Family Studies and Interventions
Explore a broad spectrum of theoretical and clinical approaches to intervention.
Gerontology
Explore the impact of societal expectations on the elderly and demographic trends, including global cross-cultural issues in aging.
Human Services Nonprofit Administration
Gain a broad understanding of the nature of leadership in human service organizations, including management of nonprofits.
Mental Health
Develop the skills to help individuals navigate community mental health services.
Military Families and Culture
Deepen your understanding of military culture; explore topics such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and vicarious trauma; and examine how frequent relocations, parent-child separation, and extensive deployments impact military families.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for this master’s program, you must have a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from an accredited school and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. More information for international applicants.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Walden’s online master’s in human services program will be prepared to:
- Articulate the role that human services leaders play in promoting social change and advocacy for individuals, families, and communities in need.
- Interpret and apply human services research to inform the practice of human services delivery systems.
- Synthesize findings from research to develop culturally and contextually relevant interventions and direct services.
- Use knowledge of formal and informal networks in the development and evaluation of human services delivery systems.
- Apply legal and ethical standards in the administration and delivery of human services systems.
- Discuss how personal values and attitudes affect leadership, planning, and advocacy activities.
Find Your Opportunity to Create Real Change
The growing demand for individual and family social services—from addiction treatment to senior care—means a greater need for qualified human services leaders. By 2029, employment of social and community service managers is expected to grow by 17%, faster than the average for all occupations.1
Walden’s MS in Human Services program prepares you to help facilitate social services in various settings around the world. Gain in-demand skills that open up a world of possibilities, whether you dream of forming your own organization or forging ahead into leadership roles.
By 2026, employment of social and community service managers is expected to grow by 18%,
18%
FASTER THAN AVERAGE.1What Can I Do With a Master’s in Human Services?
An MS in Human Services from Walden can prepare you for a number of direct nontherapeutic services or leadership positions in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and foundations.
These include:
- Human services administrator (coordinator, director, program lead)
- Agency coordinator
- Foster care case coordinator
- Family services specialist
- Program director
- Development director
- Medical and health services manager
- Social and community service manager
- Emergency management manager
- Community and social service specialist
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this online master’s in human services degree program.
Increase Your Earning Potential
A master’s in human services degree can potentially lead to higher earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2019, social and community service managers in government, civic, community, and other organizations earned median salaries between $60,180 and $85,550 per year.1
Testimonials
It was difficult going back to school when I was close to my 50s, but it was worth it.
Monique Allen MS in Human and Social Services Graduate
I chose to continue my education and pursue my MS in Human Services to open more doors for my career.
Robin Worthington MS in Human and Social Services Graduate
Walden’s advisors made me feel comfortable in choosing to attend Walden over other online programs.
Kimberly Dean MS in Human Services Graduate
Resource Articles
The Benefits of Getting a Master’s Degree in Human Services
Resource Articles
What Do Human Services Professionals Do?
FAQ About Walden’s Online MS in Human Services Program
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Careers in social work and human services are both motivated by a desire to improve the lives of people in need. They can take place in similar settings, including home health agencies, hospitals, and health clinics. Nevertheless, there are differences. One of the biggest differences between social work and human services jobs is licensure. To be in social work practice, you need a license; to work in human and social services, you do not. In addition, time to completion tends to be longer for social work programs due to a larger credit requirement. Career paths may also differ: Social workers generally work more directly with clients, while human and social services professionals tend to work with organizations to direct needed resources to vulnerable, underserved populations.
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MS in Human Services programs may offer a wide variety of focus areas, to help you center your career on the social issue you most want to address. At Walden, these specializations include:
- Community and Social Services – Prepares you for community social work in non-licensure roles.
- Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention – Prepares you for emergency management leadership and/or helping communities that have suffered a natural or man-made disaster or are experiencing an ongoing crisis.
- Gerontology – Prepares you to help older adults with issues ranging from home care to finances.
- Military Families and Culture – Prepares you to help active-duty members and/or veterans of the armed services and their families.
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With a master’s in human services—like the one earned online at Walden University—you can gain the knowledge to work at the program level of social and human services agencies and be a change agent for improved services. Human services professionals function as program managers, administrators, and directors. Their responsibilities often include:
- Managing staff and the daily activities of the human services agency or department.
- Coordinating with other human services and social services agencies.
- Researching to determine whether services are effectively reaching target populations.
- Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing services.
- Recommending and implementing improvements in the delivery of existing services.
- Adjusting human services programs to meet the community’s changing needs.
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Online graduate degree programs give you an exceptional level of convenience and flexibility. In fact, in an online MS in Human Services program—like the one at Walden—you can complete the majority of your degree program from home. In addition, you can attend classes and handle coursework at a time of day that works best for you—meaning you can earn your master’s while continuing to work full time.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2028, employment of social and community service managers is expected to grow by 17%, much faster than the average for all occupations.*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, do not guarantee actual job growth, and are subject to change.
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With an advanced degree in human services, one could pursue a number of careers, including:*
- Human services professional
- Agency coordinator
- Foster care counselor
- Family services specialist
- Emergency management manager
- Medical and health services manager
- Development director
*Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Questions about our MS in Human Services?
Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.
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