Exploring Human Services Degrees
The field of human services is bigger than you think
Getting an online human services degree can open up some surprising career paths for you. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to help troubled families or start your own nonprofit. For every goal, there’s a degree. Here are a few of the human services degrees that can take you places you never expected.
Certificate in Human Services Administration
This online degree program will prepare you for work in the human services field in an administrative role, perhaps as a shift manager or an assistant grant writer. You’ll learn how to supervise and lead others as well as how to resolve employee conflicts. You’ll be taught how to write and apply for grants and study coping techniques for dealing with difficult clients. You’ll learn about welfare reform, budget reductions, the downsizing of government programs, and changes in managed care. If you think you have management potential and want a human services career, this program may be right for you.
B.S. in Human Services/Gerontology
If you have a special passion for working with the aging, consider a degree in gerontology. This degree program will go into detail regarding the mental, physical and social development of people as they age. You’ll help older people and their families deal with health and psychological issues. With this human services degree you could end up working for a hospital, long-term care facility or social service agency. If you’d rather work in a support role, you could find yourself working as an aging expert for corporations, running an advocacy group, or working for a professional organization that deals with the aging.
Master of Science in Human Services – Marital, Couple, & Family Counsel / Therapy
One of the most rewarding human services careers is family therapy. This program will teach you about the theories surrounding family systems as well as the therapeutic techniques you’ll need to help families deal with their problems. You’ll learn how to tackle relationship issues and treat mental and emotional disorders. This career requires a license and the requirements may vary from state to state.
PhD in Human Services – Management of Nonprofit Agencies
If you’re a natural-born leader with a passion for helping others, this human services career may be the one for you. A human services degree prepares you to lead and direct non-profit agencies. You’ll learn, in detail, the issues facing non-profit leaders today and how you can best address those problems. You’ll be taught best fundraising practices, board management, ethics, program management, and resource management. People with their PhD in human services often go on to teach at colleges and universities, run large agencies or start their own non-profit agencies.
Learn more about getting an online human services degree.