View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
SKILLS THAT MATTER
Gain highly applicable skills such as grant writing, motivational interviewing, assessment, and cultural humility. See perspectives of different agencies and populations as well as the bigger picture of how it’s all connected in our online MS in Human Services program.
EXPERIENTIAL CURRICULUM
Discover an interactive learning experience that brings concepts to life through virtual simulations and animated case studies.
MULTIPLE SPECIALIZATIONS
Choose from a broad range of specializations and tailor your coursework to your professional interests and goals.
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO
Turn your assignments into a comprehensive digital portfolio that you can showcase once you graduate.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Develop leadership skills for social change in our online master’s in human services curriculum. Case studies, a virtual city for practical learning, and eight specializations prepare you with skills in areas from crisis intervention to criminal justice.
Featured MS in Human Services Courses
Cultural Humility and Diversity
Students in this course examine the theory, philosophy, and practice of working with diverse populations, with a focus on the interplay between individual and unique cultures within societies and organizations attempting to move toward equality and cultural humility. They explore cultural issues and ethics related to economic disparity, power, privilege, and social justice. Students also explore the complex social, political, and related ethical challenges advanced human services professional practitioners face as they seek to meet the needs of diverse populations. Applying concepts presented in the course, students engage in in-depth assessments of emerging or persistent ethical or social justice issues, through which they demonstrate their ability to empower, support, and connect service users with community resources. Throughout the course, students engage in readings, case studies, and practical assignments to build skills to work in multicultural environments and participate in an immersive experience with a specific culture to further develop their cultural humility.
Grant Writing
Nonprofit and public/government organizations need to be able to show positive evidence related to their mission and ability to effect social change to remain viable. By developing performance improvement evaluation plans that are structured with metrics, leaders can disseminate an organization's progress to build stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Students in this course will be introduced to a critical appraisal of levels of evidence, performance improvement and evaluation methods, and the importance of dissemination of organizational outcomes to help contribute to a positive future for social change.
Evidence-Based Evaluation Methods
Nonprofit and public/government organizations need to be able to show positive evidence related to their mission and ability to effect social change to remain viable. By developing performance improvement evaluation plans that are structured with metrics, leaders can disseminate an organization's progress to build stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Students in this course will be introduced to a critical appraisal of levels of evidence, performance improvement and evaluation methods, and the importance of dissemination of organizational outcomes to help contribute to a positive future for social change.
The Advanced Human Services Professional Practitioner in a Changing World
As leaders, advanced human services professional practitioners can inhabit many roles: generalist, planner, advanced case manager, advocate, humanitarian, and outreach worker. Throughout this course, students try on these roles in response to authentic human services scenarios in settings within a fictional community. In each scenario, they observe advanced human services professional practitioners applying role-specific strategies, approaches, and theories to help service users. Students also assess their current knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to each role, as well as the values and experiences they bring to the profession. By the end of the course, students develop and refine a professional identity statement as a leader in the human services profession and examine self-care strategies relevant to the work of an advanced human services professional practitioner.
Assessment and Motivational Interviewing
Advanced human services professional practitioners frequently work with service users who are experiencing crisis and are in need of assessment to determine their level of care and to assist them with establishing and achieving goals. In this course, students develop motivational interviewing skills to help service users identify and self-motivate to achieve the goals they desire. Students apply motivational interviewing skills, such as open-ended questioning, affirming, reflective listening, and summarizing, to authentic human services case studies in the context of assessment. Students also have an opportunity to develop supervisory skills by providing constructive feedback on their peers' motivational interviewing and assessment skills.
Admissions
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Requirements
We’ve simplified the process of applying to Walden’s online master’s in human services program. You’ll just need to fill in some basic information and create your account, then our Enrollment Specialist will be in touch to answer any questions.
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
View Admission Criteria
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.
Tuition Breakdown
We make earning your online master’s degree in human services more accessible with student-specific savings, including partner and military savings, credit transfers, and our Believe & Achieve Scholarship®.
Minimize costs through:
Tuition reductions
Transfer credits
Scholarship savings
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
General Program
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 48 quarter credit hours | $565 per quarter hour | $27,120 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $925 |
| $28,045** | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$5,650 | ||
*Represents minimum time to completion, General program or specialization other than Criminal Justice, Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention, Family Studies and Interventions, or Military Families and Culture, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
**Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 20 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-758-5249.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 and $1,400.
Career Opportunities
Help Foster Well-Being
Community and Social Service Specialist
Promote wellness to help people cope with or overcome challenges.
Expected growth: 6%1
Estimated annual wage: $34,030–$62,4601
Steady Job Growth
Social and Community Service Manager
Coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
Expected growth: 8%2
Estimated annual wage: $48,880–$98,740 2
Help Shape Bright Futures
Social and Human Service Assistant
Provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
Expected growth: 8%3
Estimated annual wage: $30,720–$49,280 3
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
3Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the MS in Human Services program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
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.
Meet Your Academic Team
Discover the distinguished faculty members committed to helping you excel throughout Walden’s online MS in Human Services program.
You Might Also Be Interested In
MS in Human Services FAQ
Is an online MS in Human Services program right for you?
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 program fully online. 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.
What is the difference between social work and human services?
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.
What are some human and social services focus areas?
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.
- Studies in Aging – 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.
What makes Walden University's online master’s in human services program unique?
Walden’s online master’s in human services program features simulation technologies and other tools to help you master critical skills in a safe and supportive environment. Build confidence as a human services practitioner and leader while learning how to apply new competencies to your current and future roles. You’ll have the opportunity to work with tools such as Hart City, a virtual city that allows you to visit different locations, find resources, and complete assignments using these resources. See perspectives of different agencies and populations as well as the bigger picture of how it’s all connected. Virtual simulations to help you practice intake interviews, educational sessions, and working with clients and community members. Animated, real-world case studies that help you apply what you’ve learned in your studies.
What is the curriculum for the online master’s degree in human services?
Walden's online MS in Human Services offers curriculum that leaders in social and community services will find valuable: core courses provide content in leadership, understanding of the various professional roles within human services, motivational skills to help encourage the individuals they serve, grant writing, evidence-based evaluation methods, and cultural issues to assist human services professionals to better understand the diverse communities they work within. The curriculum offers multiple specializations, allowing students to customize and personalize their program. The final course in the program is a capstone in which students demonstrate senior case management skills and their understanding of the responsibility and leadership of the advanced human services professional practitioner to advocate for social change with service users, organizations, communities, and the human services profession.
How long does it take to become a LCSW?
Becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) typically takes about six to eight years in total, depending on your pace and state requirements. LCSWs typically must hold an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program such as Walden’s, complete around 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised clinical work, and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. Walden’s master’s in social work prepares students for licensure, and a portion of the field experience in the program may count toward the total hours needed to gain licensure.
What can you do with a master’s in human services?
A master’s in human services from Walden helps equip you for a wide array of impactful careers dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and communities. With this degree, you can explore leadership, counseling, advocacy, education, and specialized services like youth or elder care. Common roles include community and social service specialist, social and community service manager, and social and human service assistant. You will develop essential skills in communication, cultural competence, ethical decision-making, and program management, enabling you to make a significant difference in both nonprofit and public service sectors.
Is a master’s in human services worth it?
A master’s in human services is worth it for individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities and advancing their careers in the helping professions. It is particularly valuable for those aspiring to leadership, advocacy, or specialized support roles in areas such as mental health, youth services, or nonprofit management. The program at Walden equips you with essential skills in communication, cultural competence, ethical decision-making, and program development, preparing you to lead and innovate in organizations that serve diverse populations.
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