If you’re thinking about starting or advancing a career committed to social change, one of the best choices you can make is to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) or an MS in Human Services. But even if you’re already working toward social change, you may not know the exact difference between social work and human services.

That’s not uncommon. The two disciplines are both focused on improving people’s lives, and both those with social worker jobs and those with human services jobs tend to work for or with government agencies or nonprofit assistance programs. Nevertheless, there are differences, and understanding those differences is the key to knowing which master’s degree and career path is right for you.

The Basic Difference

What do social workers do?

While some social workers go into administrative roles, all types of social workers focus on helping individuals overcome difficult situations in their lives. The majority of those in social work practice work with individuals or small family groups, helping them learn how to move past problems by strengthening themselves and by taking advantage of social services provided through government entities and nonprofits. A defining feature of social work is that social workers focus on both the person and the social environment around that person. Also, social workers are licensed professionals, and as such, their licensure provides an increased level of professional recognition in the field. In short, a common step after earning an MSW degree is becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

What do those in human services do?

The primary role of human services professionals is to help those in need of assistance receive that assistance. While a few human services jobs involve counseling clients, that counseling tends to be focused on teaching them how to find and qualify for appropriate services. Many in the field work for nonprofit assistance programs or with local, state, or federal aid agencies. Many also work in an administrative capacity, designing and/or administrating social services policies and programs. Also, a human services professional does not need to be licensed to work in the field, which appeals to many who are interested in a degree but not in seeking licensure. 

Differences in Education

When you earn an MSW degree, you can learn how to:

• Develop a professional orientation and identity as a social worker.
• Apply legal and ethical standards in the administration of social work.
• Apply principles of advocacy that promote cultural understanding and positive social change in individuals, communities, and society.
• Utilize evidence-based research and critical thinking skills in meeting the needs of diverse clientele.
• Synthesize and apply theories of human growth and development to develop culturally responsive social work practices.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with individuals, families, and groups.
   

When you earn an MS in Human Services, you can learn how 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.
   

Differences in Specializations

Through an MSW program, you can focus on areas such as:

Through an MS in Human Services program, you can specialize in areas such as:

Differences in Career Paths

Depending on experience, training, and other factors, an MSW or an MS in Human Services can open a variety of career paths.

Social work careers may include:

Human services careers may include:

How You Can Earn Your MSW or Human Services Degree

One of the best ways to earn either a social worker degree or a human services degree is through an online education program. Unlike campus-based programs that require you to commute to class at specific times, online graduate degree programs give you an exceptional level of convenience and flexibility.

In an online MSW program or an online master’s in human services program, you can complete the majority of your degree program from home. In addition, when you earn a master’s in social work online or human services online, you can take advantage of flexible scheduling that lets you attend classes and handle coursework at the time of day that works best for you, meaning you can earn your master’s while continuing to work full time. 

If you want to help create social change, a career in social work or human services could be right for you. Through an online graduate degree program you can make that career a reality.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program and an MS in Human Services program online. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

Accreditation:
Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the CSWE-BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Note on Licensure: 
The Walden University Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed social workers in many states. However, the requirements for licensure as a social worker vary greatly from state to state. Each state board that is responsible for regulating the practice of social work has its own academic requirements and issues its own license to practice as a social worker in that state. Additionally, students should be advised that the Walden MSW program is not designed or intended to prepare graduates for licensure as a school social worker; however, graduates might be eligible for licensure as a school social worker in their particular state of residence.

While Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide general information relating to the state-by-state educational requirements for social work licensure or certification, it remains the student’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to field education experiences, licensing or certification, authorization, or endorsement for the state in which she or he resides. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of its coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, certification, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential. Licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

Note on Licensure: 
The MS in Human 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.