More Information About Human Services

• Professionals in the field of human services are dedicated to creating services and support systems that improve the quality of peoples' lives.
• Some of the possible career paths in this field include law, counseling, social services, development and fundraising, and non-profit organization.
• Work in this field can be emotionally exhausting, but many human services professionals, who spend their lifetime helping people, find their career very rewarding.

What do human services professionals do?

Human services professionals work to enhance and protect the well-being of communities and individuals who may not be able to help themselves. Most human services are provided through the sponsorship of government agencies or private donations, so they can only extend a helping hand as far as their funding stretches. In the wake of tragic events like September 11th, the Asia tsunami, or Hurricane Katrina, there are more needs in this field than any agency could offer. Most organizations in the field of human service specialize in a particular type of aid. Some offer counseling, money and food, while others offer their time helping in clean-up or repair efforts. If your heart is burdened for helping those in need, there is definitely a place for you to contribute in the field of human services.

Full time work in the human services includes a great amount of emotional strain and requires highly specialized training in order to survive in the field. Social workers, counselors and psychologists are among the most common pathways taken in human services. There are many different variations on these positions, however, that can make for innumerable job descriptions in this field. Social workers and mental health workers usually work with a particular population of people, such as teenagers, families, single moms, senior citizens, homeless people, men, women, or kids. Usually a social worker or mental health worker is assigned to a number of individual case files. The goal in human services is not only to serve by helping people out of desperate situations, but to help individuals be able to serve themselves to a better life. Though there are specific positions that specialize in human services work, people from many different walks of life, like ministry workers, construction workers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, and business professionals, can all led a helping hand to the needs of human services organizations.

Most entry level positions, such as social workers and counselors, require professionals to have at least a bachelor's degree. Management positions or positions that involve more advanced case work usually require workers to have a master's degree. There are some positions available in the fields that don't require these degrees, however. For example, a social service agency which serves a foreign speaking population may hire and train someone who is bilingual. Beyond the mainstream career paths in this field, there are many opportunities for people of any age, or education to step in and help out. From volunteering at the local food shelter, to answering phones in a human services agency, every person helping out is a drop in the bucket that culminates into a pool of people being helped through human services organizations.

While professionals in the field of human services often work long hours, tirelessly helping and serving others, their pay checks don't usually show the value of their labor. Counselors make between $25,000 and $83,000 a year and social workers make anywhere from $25,000 to $52,000 a year. Obviously, those professionals with experience and a master's degree or PhD usually make more than those professionals just entering into the field. Also, management positions are highly sought after because of their higher salary potential.

• University of Phoenix - Human Services Founded in 1976, University of Phoenix is the largest accredited private University in the U.S. Students who earn a Bachelor of Science in Human Services get a solid grounding in both the practical and theoretical aspects of working in the fields of counseling, social work, and psychology. Students in this line of study take 60 credits in courses ranging from human behavior, to managing and financing human services program. Most students can earn a degree in as few as 2 years. ( More Info )
• Grand Canyon University Online Founded in 1949 as a private, non-denominational Christian university, Grand Canyon University emphasizes individual attention and staff support. Students learn professional essentials for success in Education careers—all with the convenience of flexible online classes. ( More Info )
• Liberty University Online With more than 40 online degrees offered, Liberty University is a convenient, flexible, and affordable way to earn an accredited degree from a solid, Christian perspective. ( More Info )
• Walden University Walden University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees in management and doctoral and master's degrees in psychology, education and health and human services to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Walden University has over 30 years of experience delivering programs from a distance while maintaining its student-centered focus on quality and integrity. ( More Info )
• Capella University (Graduate) Capella University offers online graduate degree learning in Education, Human Services, Psychology, Business, and Technology. Students earn master and doctorate degrees while preparing for professional entry-level and advanced career opportunities - all without entering a classroom. ( More Info )
• Ashford University (Graduate) Founded in 1918, Ashford University (Graduate) specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from Master degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion for a degree in MBA or Master of Arts in Teaching/Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology. ( More Info )
• Iowa Central College Formed in 1966, Iowa Central College is a community college offering Associate Degree training in Business, Information Technology, and Criminal Justice fields via campus course study and online education. The main campus is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa with flexible course schedules and additional programs via online learning resources. ( More Info )
• University of the Rockies Online University of the Rockies Online provides high-quality, accessible learning opportunities globally for diverse groups of individuals seeking preparation for life goals, professional practice, service, and distinguished leadership.
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• Norwich University Norwich University, established in 1819, offers an advanced education environment that is rich in history. Norwich University offers following online graduate programs - MBA, Business Continuity Management, Diplomacy, Civil Engineering, Military History, Nursing, Information Assurance, Organizational Leadership, Public Administration and Justice Administration (Criminal Justice). ( More Info )
• Kaplan University - Legal Programs Kaplan University offers online Bachelors, Associates, Masters and Certificate programs in Paralegal focusing on the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Office Management, and Personal Injury. Kaplan's innovative program combines the career-oriented focus of a two-year degree with the academic curriculum of a four-year program, offering you the flexibility of joining the workforce while pursuing your lifelong goals. ( More Info )
• Northcentral University Northcentral University is an accredited online university that offers students graduate degrees in programs including business and technology management, education and psychology. ( More Info )
• Upper Iowa University Online Upper Iowa University Online serves over 6500 students around the world. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Upper Iowa University offers Associate, Bachelor, and Master Degrees through the schools nationally regarded online program. ( More Info )
• California University of Pennsylvania Online California University of Pennsylvania Online provides career-oriented online training to those students interested in professional careers in education and legal studies. Bachelor and master degrees are available along with graduate certificates to help students start new careers without disrupting their busy schedules. ( More Info )
• Chancellor University Chancellor University grants degrees in a wide variety of disciplines including Criminal Justice, Business Health Services Management and Marketing. The school was founded in 1848, and in addition to its on-campus courses, the school also offers a number of online courses as well. The school offers its students both a traditional program as well as an accelerated program. Students may earn Certificate, Associate's Bachelors and Masters degrees. ( More Info )