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What Are the Career Options for an MS in Human Services?

Find out which human services occupations are in demand and can better position you to excel in the field.

Pursuing a career in human services means you are driven to help individuals and communities handle everyday struggles and conflicts. Whether you dream of building your own organization or forging ahead into leadership roles, the nature of the field is diverse and offers a variety of roles and responsibilities, from agency coordinators to family services specialists to program directors. Below, we outline three human services career options that may be available to you when you earn your master’s degree in the field.

What Are the Career Options for an MS in Human and Social Services?

Medical and Health Services Manager1

  • Median Salary: $100,980
  • Predicted Rise in Employment: 18% (2018–2028)
  • Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s

A medical and health services manager primarily focuses on planning, directing, and coordinating the business activities of healthcare providers. Individuals who serve in this role need to hold a bachelor’s degree, though postgraduate degrees are common and sometimes preferred by employers. In order to advance to top-level executive positions in the field, a master’s degree is required. In addition to higher education, prospects also need to have applicable work experience in a clinical or administrative role in a hospital or healthcare setting.

Emergency Management Director2

  • Median Salary: $74,590
  • Predicted Rise in Employment: 5% (2018–2018)
  • Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s

In this role, professionals prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies. Emergency management directors are also responsible for leading the response during and following an emergency event, usually in coordination with public safety officials, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Upon gaining multiple years of work experience and earning a degree such as an MS in Human Services in a related field, you may be qualified to work for private companies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, or state and local governments.

Social and Community Service Manager3

  • Median Salary: $67,150
  • Predicted Rise in Employment: 13% (2018–2028)
  • Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s

Becoming a social and community service manager positions you to coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. You will also serve in a leadership role, managing workers who provide social services to the public. Employment of social and community service managers is expected to outpace the average for all occupations by 8%. This job growth is in part due to an increased demand for social services that can meet the needs of an aging population. Because of this, industries serving the elderly will have the most opportunities for social and community service managers.

Advance Your Career by Earning Your MS in Human Services at Walden University

If you’re passionate about making a positive difference for individuals, families, and communities, consider earning your master’s in human services. In Walden’s online MS in Human Services program, you can gain the knowledge and tools you need to drive social change at a higher level as you explore the full spectrum of human services competencies and best practices for delivery systems, program planning, and evaluation methods. And at Walden, an accredited university, you can earn your degree online while you continue to work full time. That means you don’t have to put your career on hold while you further your skills and experience. With online education, there’s no need to completely rearrange your schedule or commute to campus—you can take classes at whatever time of day works best for you as you study for your MS in Human Services and position yourself to succeed in the field.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering an MS in Human Services degree program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.

1Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
2Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/management/emergency-management-directors.htm
3Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm

The MS in Human and Social Services program, including its specializations, is not designed to lead to professional licensure, including licensure as a professional therapist, counselor, social worker, or psychologist.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.

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