With one of the best master’s degrees in human services, you can rise to the top – and top-paying – roles of the most meaningful career paths: the helping professions.
The goal of human services is to meet human needs, ranging from affordable housing to behavioral health services. Human services workers are constantly advocating for and developing programs to improve life for those in need.
Many human services workers make impacts at the individual level. Others are leading efforts to aid victims of human trafficking, make treatment for mental illnesses and drug addiction more accessible, address homelessness, and so much more, the federal Office of Human Services Policy reported.
With a master’s degree in human services, you can serve as administrator of a social services program, agency, or nonprofit organization.
Last updated: February 14, 2025
What Are the Best Master’s in Human Services Degrees?
We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of CollegeRank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects:
- 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni
- 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and National Accreditation
- 30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school
In addition, to supply you with the best of the best in Master’s in Human Services degree programs, we considered the following points when compiling this list, such as:
- The school’s ability to provide a quality Master’s degree program in the field of Human Services,
- Offering various learning degree formats, such as online, on-campus, or hybrid coursework,
- Taught by professionals in the field of Human Services,
- Offers financial aid opportunities, such as federal loans, scholarships, and grants,
- Prepares graduates for career placement in Human Services.
At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@www.collegerank.net.
University Of Illinois At Springfield
At the University of Illinois at Springfield, students can choose from nearly 50 academic programs and join any of more than 80 student organizations. The school prides itself on offering a diverse array of opportunities to students both on campus and off, serving the campus community, its local community, and the community abroad. There is an extensive array of internship, volunteer, and research opportunities available here, too.
Whether your background is in human services or another field, the Master of Arts in Human Services program at the University of Illinois at Springfield could be the perfect fit.
This multidisciplinary degree prepares students to become competent, relevant human services professionals in a variety of sectors. It offers four concentrations: alcoholism and substance abuse, gerontology, social services administration, and child and family studies.
This degree holds true to the school’s mission of providing experiential learning opportunities to all students; the program requires a 4-credit hour internship during which students work in a human services environment. In addition, all students must take classes such as Social Policy, Ethics and Professional Development, and Interviewing and Assessment Skills in Human Services.
Saint Mary’s University Of Minnesota
Want to earn a master’s degree in human services in just two years – and begin your studies at the time of year that is most convenient for you? If so, you should consider earning a Master of Arts in Health and Human Services Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
This degree is a great fit for students who want to work in long-term care settings like nursing homes – in fact, it’s one of the few that meets the education requirements for Nursing Home Administrators in the state of Minnesota and comparable requirements in other states.
This degree is offered as both an in-person and online program, but it can also be completed in a blended fashion. Saint Mary’s prepares graduates for a variety of leadership positions in human service and healthcare settings. Core classes include Organization Management and Gerontology. A practicum is also required, as is a final capstone course that brings together everything students have learned in their classes.
To apply, candidates should submit a completed application form along with an application fee. Official transcripts are also required, as are a reflective essay, two letters of recommendation, and a current resume. All applicants are expected to have maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA during undergraduate coursework.
St. Joseph’s College New York
Known for being one of the most affordable private universities in the tri-state area of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, St. Joseph’s College of New York prides itself on its offerings beyond just its price tag.
This comprehensive school has a strong tradition in the liberal arts, offering a variety of special courses, advanced certificates, and pre-professional programs.
The Master of Science in Human Services Leadership provides unique opportunities to aspiring mental health, substance abuse, health care, criminal justice, and child welfare professionals. It is perfect for both career changers and those seeking career promotions.
St. Joseph’s equips its students with the leadership skills they need to conduct groundbreaking research and rise to the top of their disciplines. Students take classes that focus on the regulatory, financial, political, social, historical, and legal aspects of human services.
Ten core courses are required for this program. Applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate no less than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Applicants should also be employed in full-time positions and have significant work experience in program development, training, supervision, or other human services-related careers.
Liberty University
For those interested in targeting a specific area of human services with their training – such as Christian Ministry, Life Coaching, Military Resilience, or Addictions and Recovery – Liberty University has an ideal program.
Many of the core courses required for the Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling degree at Liberty are offered both entirely online and in a residential format. Students can choose from a variety of courses to help them specialize in one of 10 areas or may take a combination to broaden their horizons.
This program is best for students who don’t intend to seek national certification or licensure, but instead are looking for basic career advancement. It includes 18 hours of core courses and 12 hours of electives. With multiple financial aid opportunities available (such as graduate assistantships), there’s no reason not to consider it.
This degree is just one of more than 300 unique areas of study offered by Liberty University, a private university located in Lynchburg, VA. To be eligible for admission at this Christian college, students should submit an application, which is available online, along with transcripts from any undergraduate institutions attended.
Bellevue University
With tuition that starts at just $660 per credit hour and a number of classes available entirely online, there’s no reason not to consider the high-quality Master of Arts in Human Services at Bellevue University. This program is offered both on campus and online and requires 36 credit hours of study.
The curriculum is designed to help students succeed by developing strong management skills through applied learning projects in human services administration and broad-based analytical and managerial courses.
Core classes include Sustainable Funding, Career Development, and Nonprofit Administration. Students can choose between two capstone courses to finalize their degrees – an internship/fieldwork option or an applied learning project.
To apply, candidates should hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 GPA in the most recent 60 credits of coursework. In some cases, a non-refundable application fee, letters of recommendation, and essays are also required.
Frequently Asked Questions
A human services master’s degree is worth it because it increases your ability to affect positive change in your community by using the knowledge and skills you acquire in the program. You can also use your degree to help yourself – a master’s degree will help you earn more money in the short term and long term.
Additionally, your graduate degree can qualify you for administrative or managerial positions in human services agencies, which have greater responsibilities and more opportunities to make positive contributions to your community.
According to the Education Data Initiative, a typical master’s degree costs between $54,000 and $73,000. What you pay for your graduate degree depends on numerous factors, including the length of the program, the school you attend, and the related expenses, like fees, books, and supplies. Getting scholarships and grants will help reduce the cost of your degree. But if you have to fulfill prerequisites, travel a long distance to attend class, or take time off work to get your degree, the cost of the degree will increase.
You can offset the cost of your master’s in human services by applying for scholarships. Financial aid is available from many different sources, including human services agencies, non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups. If you’re employed by a human services agency, they might offer tuition assistance. You might also find local or state-sponsored scholarships specifically for human services studies. General scholarships open to any graduate student are also widely available.
A master’s in human services is an advanced degree that includes a variety of coursework to prepare you for a career helping meet the unique needs of others. Classes such as Skills and Practice in Human Services focus on developing practical abilities. You also learn a great deal through courses in Human Development and Human Behavior. You may get to choose a concentration, such as family and community services or crisis intervention.
The top human services graduate programs are accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Services Education (CSHSE). This organization outlines twenty accreditation standards outlining what should be taught in the curriculum. This includes outlining the theories, concepts, and practical skills you need to master. The CSHSE also outlines the necessary fieldwork requirements to graduate as well. A capstone project is also often required.
Graduate programs in human services usually prefer applicants with undergraduate degrees in social work, psychology, social science, or another closely related field. However, some programs accept applicants with other educational backgrounds. You might have to complete prerequisites before being fully admitted to the program, though.
Most human services master’s degrees require 30-36 credits to graduate. This can be done in two years if you take 7-9 credits each semester. Some graduate degrees in this field can be completed faster because of accelerated coursework. Usually, these accelerated programs take three semesters (fall, spring, and summer) to complete.
Human services graduate programs are not considered hard compared to other master’s degrees because of their lack of extensive science and math courses. However, there is often a strong research and writing component, which requires additional effort beyond typical coursework. Additionally, human services degrees usually have a capstone, thesis, or another kind of experiential learning component. These experiences require a lot of time, effort, and dedication over an extended period of time.
A human services master’s degree might qualify you for administrative or management roles in community organizations. These titles vary from one organization to the next, but they might include the following:
• Care Director
• Social Worker Supervisor
• Community Services Director
• Social Services Manager
These jobs differ from psychologists, counselors, and social workers because they are administratively focused, not therapeutic. You often do not need state licensure to work in non-therapeutic human services positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $74,240 for social and community service management jobs. Entry-level positions don’t pay well and are likely to pay around $48,880 annually. However, as you gain experience, you might find jobs with much higher yearly salaries, over $127,550 per year. You can boost your earnings by gaining certifications, licensures, or specializations in human services. Other factors that affect your earnings include:
• Your job title
• Your employer
• The city and state in which you work
• The industry or setting in which you work
According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paying human services job is Community Relations Management, which pays around $138,500 per year. This position focuses on marketing and ensuring a health services organization’s image is as polished and positive as possible. Other high-paying human services jobs include:
• Social Worker ($59,000 to $91,500 per year)
• Community Relations Specialist ($44,000 to $83,000 per year)
• Social Services Director ($52,500-$74,500 per year)
Related Reading:
- 20 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Human Services
- 4 Best Online PhD’s in Human Services
- 10 Best PhD in Human Services