In order to obtain a professional position in the human services industry, students must complete some form of post-secondary education. This includes either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, business, economics, polities, or healthcare. Upon completion of a post-secondary education program, students may acquire entry-level positions within the human services industry and gain hands-on work experience. In addition to the education and work experience requirements, there are certain skills and personality traits which are essential in this field. These include exceptional interpersonal, communication, organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.                      

Human Services Degree Levels Available

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services

The bachelor’s degree program in human services provides students with a broad introduction to this discipline's theories, philosophy, and practices as well as a strong foundation for continued education in human services. This four-year program includes courses in areas such as human services. During this program, students may choose from a number of subjects to specialize in such as sociology, psychology, criminology, human behavior, family violence, gerontology, substance abuse, mental health issues, adolescent development, criminal justice, and theories in counseling. Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in human services may obtain entry-level positions such as a mental health counselor, behavioral technician, human services administrator, or case worker or further advance to a master’s degree in human services.

Master’s Degree in Human Services

A master’s degree in human services prepares students to become leaders in the human services profession. At this point in their academic career, students will have chosen an area of specialization in which to focus on throughout their program. Reputable colleges and universities offer a thesis program along with an intense research-based curriculum taught by faculty members who have extensive knowledge and experience in the human services field. Occupations available to those graduating with a master’s degree in human services include social worker, mental health director, human resources manager, or policy analyst. 

Admission Requirements

Although various colleges and universities may vary slightly, students can expect fairly standard admission requirements when applying to obtain a bachelor’s degree in human services. Successful completion of high school or an academic equivalent (such as a GED) is required along with high school transcripts displaying grades obtained in completed courses. SAT or ACT test scores are almost always required as well. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend must be completed and submitted along with an application fee, which of course varies depending on the institution.Volunteer and/or work experience in the human services industry is always beneficial to the student and will aid in their acceptance during the application process. 

Admission into the master’s program requires a bachelor’s degree in human services or a closely related field. Colleges and universities require a transcript from the institution where the bachelor’s degree was obtained, displaying the student’s GPA which should be at a 3.25 minimum (on a 4.0 scale). Students must have successfully completed the GRE (Graduate Records Exam) or the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and received a score at or above the 80^th percentile. A statement of purpose, which states the student’s career or research goals in the human services field, must be submitted. Two or three reference letters from faculty members is also mandatory. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend must be completed and submitted along with an application fee.

Tuition and Accreditation

Tuition fees for a bachelor’s degree in human services may vary from $ 15,918 to $ 32,617. Tuition fees for a master’s degree in human services may vary from $ 8,763 to $ 20,368. These figures are only estimates; college and university tuition fees may vary drastically from one institution to another since there are a number of factors which affect tuition such as public versus private institutions, online degrees, federal student assistance programs, etc. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)

Colleges and universities which offer a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in human services must be aligned with AACSB  standards. Most employers only hire students who graduated from an AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accredited institution. 

Annual Salary Ranges for Different Occupations in the Human Services Field

A human services graduate’s salary is based on various factors which include (but are not limited to) their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. Earnings may vary drastically from person to person. However, here are a few average ranges of annual earnings for the most common professions in the human services field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):

• policy analyst $ 62,100 to $ 82,100
• public relations manager $ 98,260 to $ 118,260
• human resources manager $ 99,590 to $ 119,590
• social worker $ 37,370 to $ 57,370
• mental health worker $ 33,340 to $ 53,340