Career Paths for Those Who Earn a Master’s in Human Services

Human services is a growing field. It’s also rapidly evolving as more is learned about the successful application of human services into areas where people seek healthcare and social services aid and support.

The robust growth has resulted in a need for more leaders in the field. The federal government projects 18% growth in the field by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s far faster than the 7% per cent growth for all occupations and the 8% growth for managers in other fields.

For those with leadership aspirations in the field, a Master of Arts in Human Services can provide the next step toward reaching that goal. It opens the door to a better chance for attaining jobs at the top levels of the human services profession.

Career Paths

One of the key changes in human services in recent years has been the expanding number of opportunities in the field. Human services are now provided in more areas, all with the goal of reaching the maximum amount of people in need.

Human services can include a wide variety of services. They range from residential facilities to programs that offer services in the areas that are therapeutic, vocational, and educational. The common goal is to improve the accessibility to these services, as well as accountability, quality and coordination between various service providers.

Human services professionals can work in a variety of specific careers. For those with a master’s degree, these can include:

• Community Services Administrator
• Health services manager
• Director of a residential care facility
• Director of a human services department within a larger healthcare operation
• Department head for human services within a government agency
• Director of a geriatric health centre
• Director of a mental health counselling centre

All these careers have a direct impact on those who need support. They can range from children to seniors, as well as those in-between who find themselves in difficult circumstances. Those in leadership positions in this field need all the skills of a business leader, as well as compassion for others and expertise in getting the right care to the right people.

How an MA Helps Your Human Services Career

The goal with a master’s degree program in human services is to prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to provide leadership in this complicated field.

Every MA in Human Services program offers variations in terms of focus and curriculum. A good example of one that offers the kind of well-rounded education that can prepare you for careers in many different fields comes from Concordia University Chicago.

The university’s MA in Human Services degree program provides a broad-based education in the field. An emphasis is put on advocacy, gerontology, and psychology. The program is aimed both at those seeking entry into the field and human services professionals wishing to move up in their careers.

They include areas such as:

• The scope of human services, which now includes family service agencies and community mental health centres.
• Core knowledge in related areas such as counselling, gerontology, psychology and health.
• Care-giving skills
• The foundation to pursue doctorate-level studies

Earning an MA is often the right choice for those who want to become health services leaders. With the flexibility of online programs, it’s never been a better time to get the education to become a health services administrator or manager.

Learn more about our MA in Human Services by visiting the information page or by filling out the form below.