Earning a Master in Human Services, or its equivalent, will advance one’s career into a higher pay scale as well as positions of stronger leadership and responsibility. Not only that, but it will allow human services professional to establish closer communication and understanding of individual clients’ needs.
Graduate students will learn the most current research methods and practices and will refine skills of diagnosis, prevention, and counseling. There are a vast number of career opportunities for human service professionals, as there is a huge demand for competent, compassionate, and well-educated individuals in the field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the job growth rate for human service professionals at 13% over the next 10 years, which is faster than average. The earnings for human service professionals vary depending on the area in which they specialize and the industry of which they are employed.
quick links
- Top 15 Online Schools for Master’s of Human Services Degree Programs
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, SPRINGFIELD
- UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
- LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
- REGENT UNIVERSITY
- CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE
- POST UNIVERSITY
- BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
- ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
- CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL
- CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, CHICAGO
- WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
- YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
- SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY
- ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Top 15 Online Schools for Master’s of Human Services Degree Programs
METHODOLOGY: Each online school on this ranking provides its own unique strengths and exceptionalities in accounting education. The list represents some of the most prestigious schools in the nation, as well as some of the fastest and the most affordable. These colleges and universities were chosen according to the strict guidelines set forth by the OnlineSchoolsCenter.com researcher/writers. Such criteria include the following:
- A graduate degree that is specifically geared toward human services;
- Online access to coursework, lectures, and resources, as well as a curriculum flexible enough to accommodate working adult learners;
- Exemplary retention and graduation rates, both of which are excellent representations of a school’s popularity and academic success;
- Regional and/or programmatic accreditation;
- An easy-to-use school website, learning platform, and technologies, all of which ensure an approachable distance education experience;
- And excellent faculty members who have the professional background, knowledge, skill, and connections to provide students with a transformative graduate degree in human services.
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD
master’s degree program in human services
Program Standouts: The University of Illinois Springfield provides what could very well be considered the most exceptional online human services master’s program in the country. The graduate degree is recognized as the number one program by numerous reputable academic resources. It is designed and instructed by nationally and internationally renowned expert faculty members. UIS maintains professional, collaborative partnerships with human service programs in communities throughout the United States, which results in extensive clinical and direct service experiences in the real world. Four exciting concentration options take students in various directions of the human services discipline. However, all online students at the University of Illinois Springfield receive the same general instruction in human services, which provides an incredibly solid foundation of understanding.
Concentration Options:
- Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
- Child and Family Studies
- Gerontology
- Social Service Administration
Campus Location: Springfield, IL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 62%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD’S ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM IN HUMAN SERVICES
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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN
HUMAN & FAMILY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, ms
Program Standouts: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is yet another of the country’s most popular online graduate degrees in human services. Students at this outstanding institution of distance education complete the same program as on-campus learners. It provides an in-depth and comprehensive approach to the profession through sharpening broad-based skills. The curriculum includes numerous topics in the management of public and non-profit organizations, as well as those in working directly with community members. It is designed to improve students’ understanding of family functioning, program design and evaluation, professional issues in human services, and administration and management. UNL offers an affordable tuition rate for residents of Nebraska at around $356 per credit hour.
Coursework Sample:
- Advanced Management and Leadership for Public and Non-Profit Professionals
- Fun Raising in Public and Non-Profit Organizations
- Public Budgeting
Campus Location: Lincoln, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 67%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN’S HUMAN & FAMILY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, M.S. ONLINE
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
MASTER’S IN HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELING
Program Standouts: Not only is Liberty University one of the most popular online schools in the entire nation, but it is also well-known for its staunch commitment to evangelical Christianity. The online graduate degree in Human Services Counseling, for example, offers a specialization in Christian Ministries that prepares students to work as counseling leaders in their church communities and ministries. Otherwise, all of the programs include a foundation in the principles of Christ. Liberty provides accelerated distance programs wherein coursework is completed in eight weeks. As such, master’s students can finish their entire program in as few as eighteen months. It is also an excellent opportunity for transfer students who can utilize up to 50% of the credits required for a Master’s in Human Services Counseling from another accredited university. There is a wide array of concentration options available, some of which are quite unique, such as the Military Resilience specialization.
Concentration Options:
- Addictions and Recovery
- Business
- Christian Ministries
- Criminal Justice
- Crisis Response and Trauma
- Executive Leadership
- Dobson Center Marriage and Family Studies
- Dobson Center Parenting and Child/Adolescent Development
- Health and Wellness
- Life Coaching
- Marriage and Family
- Military Resilience
Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 30%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S MASTER’S IN HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELING
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REGENT UNIVERSITY
m.a. in human services
Program Standouts: Regent University is an exceptional online school with a long history of educating students at a distance. It is a highly successful Christian school founded in 1978 with a mission to provide outstanding academic programs rooted in biblical principles. The online Master of Arts in Human Services is an excellent option for students of strong faith, as numerous concentration options revolve the subject of Christian and biblical counseling, as well as ministry in its various environments. All faculty members at Regent University hold terminal degrees in their areas of expertise. The curriculum explores aspects of mind, body, and spirit in human services, and students are guaranteed to enhance their capabilities in communication, elder care, nonprofit administration, pastoral leadership, and more. Regent offers an affordable online tuition rate of $595 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Concentration Options:
- Addictions Counseling
- Biblical Counseling
- Christian Counseling
- Conflict and Mediation Ministry
- Criminal Justice and Ministry
- Grief Counseling
- Human Services Counseling
- Human Services for Student Affairs
- Life Coaching
- Marriage and Family Ministry
- Trauma and Crisis Counseling
Campus Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 32%
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGENT UNIVERSITY’S M.A. IN HUMAN SERVICES
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
master of science in assistive technology studies and human services
Program Standouts: California State University, Northridge, has a distinctive opportunity for human services graduate students. Individuals enrolled in this program learn to use and manipulate assistive technologies that are a huge support to individuals with disabilities. Students learn to work with clients of all age groups and ethnicities regarding their individual service needs. The curriculum is incredibly flexible and accommodates any working adult learner’s schedule. Cal State, Northridge is also replete with student resources, and all students are assigned a one-on-one designated program coordinator who helps them achieve their academic and professional goals from day one. The Master of Science in Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services is offered through the Tseng College of Graduate, International, and Midcareer Education, known throughout the country and the world for its excellence.
Coursework Sample:
- Seminar – Human Characteristics in Relation to Usability of Assistive Technologies
- Counseling in Assistive Technology Service Delivery
- Medical Conditions Affecting Quality of Life
Campus Location: Los Angeles, CA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 50%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE M.S. IN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY STUDIES AND HUMAN SERVICES
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POST UNIVERSITY
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING AND HUMAN SERVICES
Program Standouts: Post University is well-known for its fully online degree programs. It provides an excellent graduate-level pathway to a degree in human services-related counseling. It is an in-depth curriculum that results in job opportunities spanning a wide variety of settings. Some examples include correctional facilities, child and family service centers, mental health establishments, halfway houses, and more. This program is well-suited to current professionals in the human services field and those with degrees in psychology or criminal justice. Post University maintains several key focus areas in its M.S. in Counseling and Human Services: prevention, remediation, diagnosis, intervention, and psycho-education. At the end of the program, all online students participate in an exciting internship experience in a relevant environment in their home communities, all under the guidance and supervision of real-world professional and Post University experts.
Coursework Sample:
- Counseling and Human Services Management
- Human Development and Sexuality Through the Lifecycle
- Counseling and Human Services Ethics and Diversity
Campus Location: Waterbury, CT
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Retention Rate: 39%
Graduation Rate: 32%
LEARN MORE ABOUT POST UNIVERSITY’S MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING AND HUMAN SERVICES
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BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
MASTER OF ARTS IN HUMAN SERVICES
Program Standouts: The online graduate degree in human services from Bellevue University has a strong focus on the development of leadership, teamwork, and advocacy skills. Students are guaranteed to enhance their understanding and aptitude in management with a refined global perspective. The curriculum includes opportunities to use such knowledge through exciting hands-on practical applications such as field experience, internships, and independent projects. It is a perfect degree for experienced professionals in a relevant field and newcomers to human services. Graduates are fully prepared to sit for any applicable certification examination and are steeped in communication methods, ethical standards, and national and international issues concerning the human services industry today. Alumni are now working in both public and non-profit industries throughout their local communities, the nation, and the world.
Coursework Sample:
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Career Development
- Sustainable Funding
Campus Location: Bellevue, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 52%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN HUMAN SERVICES
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ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
HUMAN SERVICES LEADERSHIP, M.S.
Program Standouts: The curriculum in St. Joseph’s College distance education program includes absolutely fascinating course topics. Online students in the Master of Science in Human Services Leadership delve deeply into concepts involving various cultures, communities, ethnicities, and the leadership qualities necessary to motivate such groups positively. Two main principles drive this human services master’s degree: the benefits of focusing on workplace competencies and utilizing popular industry theories in the real world. The classes all include a research-based approach in which students learn to develop self-leadership and holistic organizational skills. Graduates have become powerful advocates in their communities and places of work and are invaluable assets in any environment. The program is specifically designed to train visionary industry leaders with multi-level human services capabilities.
Coursework Sample:
- Strategic Leadership in an Information Age
- Leading Policy Initiatives in a Political Environment
- Theory and Design of Culturally Responsive Organizations
Campus Location: Brooklyn, NY
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Retention Rate: 82%
Graduation Rate: 65%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE ONLINE HUMAN SERVICES LEADERSHIP, M.S.
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CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL
human services with an emphasis in forensic behavioral health (MA)
Program Standouts: Concordia University, St. Paul, has a unique human services program with an exciting specialization in Forensic Behavioral Health. This concentration is found at very few other online schools and provides students with a distinctive entry into the profession. The online curriculum was designed in partnership with the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies and is intended for individuals with interest in criminal justice, legal systems, and forensic behavioral health. Graduates go on to work in criminal justice-related environments and provide outstanding service to victims of crime, their families, and criminals themselves. Alumni exhibit prominent skills in communication, problem-solving, advocacy, and courtroom testimony. This online human services graduate degree is offered at an accelerated rate with classes spanning seven weeks in length.
Coursework Sample:
- Special Populations in Human Services
- Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders
- Sexual Offending
Campus Location: St. Paul, MN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 65%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL’S HUMAN SERVICES MASTER’S DEGREE WITH AN EMPHASIS IN FORENSIC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
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CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
HUNAN SERVICES (MA)
Program Standouts: This online school provides a two-year generalist graduate degree program in human services. The curriculum includes a particularly strong focus on gerontology, advocacy, and psychology as such applies to future work in family service agencies, community mental health centers, and other organizations applicable to the field of human services. Students learn the requirements for many relevant professions in counseling, health, psychology, and more. It is an excellent program for learners who plan on pursuing doctoral-level education, as well as those who are bolstering their current careers in the industry. The elective courses allow students to explore a wide range of counseling scenarios and techniques, especially those related to care and service for elderly communities.
Coursework Sample:
- Information, Planning, and Evaluation in Human Services
- Values, Attitudes, and Ethics
- Intervention and Direct Services
Campus Location: River Forest, IL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 49%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO’S HUMAN SERVICES (MA)
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WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
online master’s in counseling and human services
Program Standouts: Wake Forest University’s online Master’s in Counseling programs are a perfect match for current and aspiring human services professionals. There are two pathways available that take students in considerably different areas of the profession. However, all online students receive the same foundational education despite their concentration of choice. The Clinical Mental Health program trains students to work closely and intimately with clients experiencing mental and life health issues, such as substance abuse and family or marriage issues. The School Counseling option helps students to become human services professionals in academic settings working with children, their families, and educators. Wake Forest is the only school on this ranking to receive accreditation from the CACREP.
Concentration Options:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
Campus Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 94%
Graduation Rate: 88%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER’S IN COUNSELING AND HUMAN SERVICES
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UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
online master of human relations
Program Standouts: The University of Oklahoma’s online Master of Human Relations provides an excellent education in cultural diversity. Students delve deeply into the leadership qualities necessary to become inclusive leaders among groups with various identities. The two available concentration options strongly align with the concept of diversity and social justice, making U of O’s program incredibly relevant in today’s world. This is an accelerated human services graduate degree that can be completed in fifteen months for students with the right dedication. It is a perfect fit in particular for individuals pursuing careers in talent management, human resources leadership, and general management roles. Past and current students report incredible learning experiences at the University of Oklahoma that take students away from prerecorded lectures and virtual classrooms and into real-world opportunities in human relations.
Concentration Options:
- Inclusive Leadership
- Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice
Campus Location: Norman, OK
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 92%
Graduation Rate: 65%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA’S ONLINE MASTER OF HUMAN RELATIONS (MHR)
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YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
MASTER OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Program Standouts: The Master of Health and Human Services from this online school is an excellent choice for current health care professionals, as well as newcomers to the discipline. It is highly focused on the delivery of effective human services in health care settings. Students have three concentration options that take them deeper into the various areas of the field, all of which are equally as crucial as the last. The core coursework taken by all online students despite their chosen concentration is broken down into three key focus areas: Tool Courses, Management Skills and Courses, and Issues in Health and Human Services. Upon graduation, Youngstown alumni are steeped in current principles, methods, issues, and information regarding human services in the health industry. They go on to fill pivotal roles in health environments across the entire nation.
Concentration Options:
- Health Promotion
- Health Care Administration
- Health Informatics
Campus Location: Youngstown, OH
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 29%
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Program Standouts: Arizona State University is one of the America’s most popular online schools that is well-known for its innovative approaches to academia. It receives constant recognition for its achievements as a distance education institution. There are a huge number of degree options, experiential learning opportunities, and accelerated coursework available at ASU. The online Master of Arts in Social Justice and Human Rights provides a distinctive approach to the discipline. Students accrue vast knowledge and experience in advocacy and severe global human rights issues, such as gender-based violence and sex trafficking. Graduates have gone on to work as humanitarian aid workers, grant writers, international governmental organization professionals, and more!
Coursework Sample:
- Grant Writing for Social Justice and Human Rights
- Gender-Based Violence and Sex-Trafficking
- Migration, Asylum, and Refugees
Campus Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 65%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
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SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY
MASTER’S DEGREE IN HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELING (NON-CLINICAL)
Program Standouts: This online school has been recognized as one of the most powerful Christian universities in the nation. At the Southwestern Assemblies of God University, students receive an education firmly rooted in the principles of Christianity. All degree programs have such a foundation while also providing excellent and highly professional coursework specific to each degree. The SAGU online Master in Human Services Counseling delves into current issues plaguing multicultural communities throughout the United States and psycho-therapeutic approaches to alleviate community members’ mental anguish. There are numerous course topics surrounding ethical, legal, and professional aspects of counseling in communities with various identities.
Coursework Sample:
- Methods and Techniques in Counseling
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Personal Lifestyle and Career Development
Campus Location: Waxahachie, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 56%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY’S MASTER’S DEGREE IN HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELING
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Are these human services schools 100% online?
Many of these schools do not require any visits to campus. Some give students the option between a fully online or hybrid format. The latter provides students opportunities to attend campus and have face-to-face contact with their classmates, professors, and advisors. Some colleges and universities listed above offer outstanding on-campus workshops and lectures, many of which can be accessed remotely, but some must be attended physically.
Very rarely do the above online schools require students to attend on-campus events. Some orientation procedures may occur over a weekend, but most do not demand more than that. It is essential to consider the distance if there are required visits to campus, but most students will never have to leave their home community to complete an online graduate degree in human services.
Most of these schools have exciting hands-on learning experiences in the real world, as well as internships and possible study abroad opportunities. Once enrolled, your college or university will help you establish points of contact throughout your community that facilitate such experiences.
What is the highest paying job in human services?
As a public service industry, human services careers do not provide professionals with an overly substantial annual income. Students should approach their academic career with an understanding that it will not make them rich beyond their wildest dreams. However, positions in human services will definitely provide a comfortable enough salary to live freely, have stability, and raise a family. It is also an excellent pathway toward future certifications or careers in law or education, for example.
Professionals who can land high-level leadership jobs such as a Director of Corporate Social Responsibility can feasibly earn as much as $90,000/yr or more, but that is setting sites pretty high. According to HumanServicesEdu.org, Case Workers, Child Advocates, and Crisis Intervention Counselors can earn anywhere between $32,000 – $60,000/yr, which depends heavily on industry experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median pay for Social and Human Service Assistants at around $35,000/yr, and Social Workers at around $50,000/yr.
Will I be able to gain licensure in my home state if my degree comes from out-of-state?
Yes, unless otherwise specified by individual colleges and universities. Most of the schools on this ranking provide the general education necessary to gain state licensure throughout the entire country. It’s important to contact your individual state’s licensure department, board, consortium, etc. to confirm whether or not an out-of-state degree will meet your needs.
Also, make sure when you contact any admissions counselors at your online school of interest that you confirm whether the graduate in human services degree is specifically geared toward residents of that state or not. Most of the time, these questions can be answered almost instantly by following the link to the school’s website and following the prompt to chat with an online school representative. Otherwise, you can always request more information about the degree on the program page, and an admissions counselor will contact you.