A Masters in human services is the perfect field of study if you want to become a marriage and family therapist, geriatric social worker, or a counselor of any type. This is an advanced degree that prepares you for filling administrative and leadership positions.
Employers tend to choose candidates with Master’s degrees, because they know that they have the training and experience to make a difference in their communities.
Why Choose a Masters in Human Services?
A Master’s in Human Services is a good degree for advanced degree-seeking students who want to seek promotions in the human services field. This is a rapidly growing field, and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics believes that the field will grow by around 16 percent in the next six years.
A degree in this field allows you to pursue fieldwork and internship opportunities as well as to specialize within the industry. You may opt to work as a marriage and family therapist, college instructor, drug and alcohol counselor, geriatric social worker, higher education counselor, or in another similar role.
Having trouble finding the right degree program? We have the degree finder tool to help you find the right program fast.
Masters in Human Services Programs
What you do with a Masters in Human Services will determine your earnings, but the median salary for a human services worker with a Master’s degree is $27,883 to $30,753. Some jobs are paid much higher, like an average of $56,540 for vocational counselors or guidance counselors.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Oklahoma | Norman, Oklahoma |
| 2 | Arizona State University | Tempe, Arizona |
| 3 | Bellevue University | Bellevue, Nebraska |
| 4 | Wilmington University | New Castle, Delaware |
| 5 | University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, Illinois |
Top 15 Masters in Human Services Programs
We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 Masters in Human Services programs around the country, so you can find the one that suits your schedule and future goals. These are ranked based on tuition and the student-to-teacher ratio.
The University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma offers a Master of Arts in Human and Health Services Administration. This program is part of the “extended campus,” which means that it can be taken online. The course consists of 33 credit hours, and the program begins in January.
School Overview
Arizona State University
Arizona State University in Tempe offers a 30-credit-hour Master’s degree in Family and Human Development. This course can be completed in between 15 and 18 months, and no thesis is required. Each course takes only seven and a half weeks, allowing for more rapid completion of the course.
School Overview
Bellevue University
Bellevue University, which is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It offers a 36-hour curriculum for a Master of Arts in Human Services. The internship with this program requires 200 hours before graduation.
School Overview
Wilmington University
At Wilmington University, students receive a Master’s Degree in Human Services. The university offers two concentrations: Administration of Human Services or Human Services Practitioner. Students also have the option of earning a Graduate Case Management Certificate at the same time they are working on their graduate degree. The program is designed for working professionals who want to be leaders in non-profit organizations, for-profit service providers, and government agencies that offer social services to a wide population. Students can expect to learn the theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge necessary to pursue a degree beyond the graduate level. They will be prepared to pursue a new career or enhance their current position. The program consists of 33 credit hours.
School Overview
University of Illinois Springfield
Located in Springfield, the University of Illinois offers the Master of Arts in Human Services. This program is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA). The program also requires 44 hours of graduate-level coursework, 24 hours of core coursework and 20 hours in a concentration set by the program.
School Overview
California State University, Northridge
California State University offers a Master of Science in assistive technology and human services. The program is available completely online and may be completed within two years. The program consists of 30 credit hours, and only those with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from another accredited university may enter the program.
School Overview
Regent University
At Regent University, students complete a Master of Arts in Human Services by attending eight-week sessions. In total, the program requires 30 credit hours and can usually be completed within two years. There are several specialization options such as trauma and crisis counseling, Biblical counseling, and marriage and family ministry.
School Overview
Lubbock Christian University
Located in Lubbock, Texas, Lubbock Christian University offers a Master of Science in Human Services. Students have the choice of specializing in non-profit leadership or in family life education. This program requires the completion of 36 credit hours.
School Overview
Liberty University
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling that can be completed with just 30 credit hours. The one-and-a-half-year course prepares students to work in addiction and recovery, crisis response, executive leadership, and other areas.
School Overview
Concordia University
Concordia University at St. Paul offers a Master of Arts in Human Services with a focus on forensic behavioral health. The course consists of 36 credit hours and focuses on a combination of criminal justice, legal, behavioral health and social services programs.
One note worth mentioning is that 95 percent of the graduates of this program received job offers within a year of graduation.
School Overview
Southeastern University
Located in Lakeland, Florida, Southeastern University is a private school that offers a Master of Arts in Human Services. Specializations in the program include Christian ministries, administration, and children and family. The program consists of 36 credit hours and is available online or on campus.
School Overview
Nova Southeastern University
Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University offers a Master of Human Services in Child Protection. The focus is on child advocacy, emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations and family systems and support. The program consists of 33 coursework hours and usually takes two years or less.
School Overview
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is located in Minneapolis and offers a Master of Health and Human Services that is completed within two years. It is a 36-credit degree program that has been accredited by the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators.
School Overview
Ranking Specifications
Throughout this article, we ranked the colleges and universities by comparing the current in-state tuition rates and student-to-teacher ratios. While all attempts have been made to provide accurate information as well as up-to-date information, the rankings and information above could chance and are not guaranteed.
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