Best Online Master’s in Human Services Programs

Admission requirements can vary from school to school. Most schools require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 GPA. If your undergraduate degree falls outside the human services field, you may need to take foundational classes before beginning graduate-level courses.

You may also be required to fulfill additional steps than those outlined below, like an interview.

Your graduate school application lists basic information for admission to the program. This can include your academic information, names of references, and proof of residency status. While undergraduate programs may accept a centralized application, such as Common Application, graduate schools do not.

A master’s in human services program may require Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores for admission. The Educational Testing Service administers the GRE at testing centers across the country. The test covers six sections, with multiple-choice questions and two essays. Students receive scores in analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. Test takers averaged scores of 150 in verbal reasoning and 153 in quantitative reasoning from July 2017-June 2020.

You should ask former professors, professional mentors, or workplace supervisors familiar with your work to write letters of recommendation. Be respectful of their time and always contact them several weeks ahead of the school’s deadline. Provide your letter writers with your resume, personal statement, and academic information to help them draft a recommendation letter that encompasses your goals and skills.

Your resume details your professional work experience and volunteer activities. If you have worked in human services, that experience can help your application stand out. Be sure to highlight specific job duties, successful projects, and professional recognition. Some accelerated programs may require two or more years of professional experience for admission.

The essay portion of the application not only demonstrates your ability to write professionally, but it also allows the admissions team to better understand your goals. The essay may serve as a personal statement, or the school may provide a prompt. Pay attention to instructions, such as length or writing style.

Your transcript will verify your undergraduate degree and coursework, ensuring you meet the degree and GPA requirements. If you have taken graduate-level coursework from another college, you can apply for transfer credit after you receive an admissions decision. However, many graduate schools may limit transfer credits.

Graduate students paid an average of about $19,790 in tuition and required fees in 2019-2020, NCES reported. Private schools typically charge more than public institutions, around $26,600 annually compared to $12,410. Students often pay less at public schools in their home state. Some online schools charge all students the same tuition no matter where they live.

While tuition makes up the bulk of what you will pay, to get the true cost of your degree, consider what you’ll pay for books, supplies, and travel, if necessary.

Graduate schools often offer flexible enrollment options that can help students balance career and family obligations as they pursue their degree. Consider the program format and if you can enroll part time or take accelerated classes.

Online programs may feature asynchronous courses that allow you to complete assignments around your other commitments. Some schools use a cohort model, meaning students move through the curriculum as a group.

While an online master’s in human services allows you to access schools across the country, many students still choose a school close to home. NCES found that more than 80% of distance education students attending public institutions in fall 2018 selected colleges in their state. About 35% of students at private nonprofit colleges were in-state learners.

Choosing an online school close by can save on travel costs if your program requires in-person sessions. It may also increase your alumni network with potential employers in your area.

Be sure to choose a college or university with regional or national accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This ensures the school meets specific standards and can allow you to be eligible for federal financial aid.

The Council for Standards in Human Service Education provides programmatic accreditation for human services programs. If you plan to seek licensure in counseling, education, or social work, ensure your school meets state licensing requirements and holds proper accreditation.

Student support services can help you succeed in the classroom and your career. Services may include working with a mentor, counseling services, and career search preparation.

Also, consider the school’s alumni network and how to connect with graduates in your career field and the internship opportunities available. Many schools offer services through video conferencing or websites to serve their online student community.

Earning a master’s in human services can help prepare you for leadership positions in human services agencies and organizations. Community and social service occupations will continue to grow in the coming years, with the BLS projecting faster than average employment growth in this field from 2023-2033.

According to the BLS, individuals with a master’s degree earn a median weekly salary of $1,545 in 2020. Social and community service managers earn a median annual salary of $77,030, as of May 2023.

While some positions require a bachelor’s degree, job-related experience and a master’s degree in human services may equip you with the leadership skills necessary to manage complex organizations.

Human services can encompass multiple disciplines. Earning a master’s in human services can help prepare you to take on various positions such as individual counseling, agency administration, or program design and development. Many graduates work in government agencies, nonprofit management, social work, or emergency response.

Because the human services field includes so many specializations, many schools offer concentrations or tracks within their curriculum that focus on specific careers. You can tailor your degree to your interests with these concentrations, such as emergency management, counseling, rehabilitation, or leadership.

Yes. The BLS projects 12% growth in human services occupations from 2020-2030, with thousands of job openings each year. Much of this job growth will come from the increase in services for senior citizens and in addressing substance misuse in communities.

The BLS projects about 17,800 job openings for social and community service managers each year, on average, from 2023-2033. The overall projected job growth is 8% during that decade.

Human services graduates work in various settings — from medical offices to government agencies and schools to nonprofit organizations. About 12.3 million people work for nonprofits in the U.S. A master’s in human services can help you pursue leadership positions in these organizations, developing funding sources and administering effective community programs.

Community and social service workers earned a median annual salary of $52,000, as of May 2023. Salary potential depends on the type of job you hold, your education and experience, and where you live.

Social and community service managers, for example, need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, though many employers prefer applicants with a master’s degree. They earned a median annual salary of $77,030, as of May 2023.

Earnings varied for these managers, however. The top 10% earned more than $115,800. The federal government offered the highest average annual salary, $109,020. In terms of location, Washington, D.C., paid the most — with an annual mean wage of $105,560 — compared to $40,010 a year in Puerto Rico.

Your online master’s in human services can prepare you for many higher-paying positions, including careers in health services management. These managers earn a median annual salary of $110,680, as of May 2023, with the top 10% of these managers earning more than $216,750 a year.

The BLS projects a 29% increase in employment for these managers from 2023-2033, with more than 61,000 job openings, on average, each year. Much of this growth will come from increased demand for healthcare services from an aging population.

These managers organize staff, handle budgets, ensure compliance and market services. Experience in interdisciplinary care and holistic services can prepare you to manage multiple departments focused on patient wellness.