Best Online Master’s in Human Services

BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN HUMAN SERVICES

Find top-ranked online master’s in human services degree programs for students wanting to go into fields like long-term care, government, grant writing, and child welfare. Students will also qualify to work in clinical settings and serve as executive directors, grants management specialists, advocacy directors, teen center directors, and human services business analysts.

Top 10 Online Master's in Human Services Degrees

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  1. California State University, Northridge
  2. Nova Southeastern University
  3. Youngstown State University
  4. East Tennessee State University
  5. Regent University
  6. Eastern Illinois University
  7. Stephen F. Austin State University
  8. Saint Leo University
  9. Prescott College
  10. Purdue Global
  1. Prescott College 99%
  2. Nova Southeastern University 93%
  3. Plymouth State University 92%
  4. Mount Aloysius College 92%
  5. California State University, Northridge 88%
  6. Concordia University Chicago 88%
  7. East Tennessee State University 87%
  8. Lenoir–Rhyne University 86%
  9. Houston Christian University 85%
  10. Southwestern Assemblies of God University 85%
  1. Southeastern University 28 to 1
  2. California State University, Northridge 28 to 1
  3. Purdue Global 28 to 1
  4. Regent University 19 to 1
  5. Youngstown State University 18 to 1
  6. Southwestern Assemblies of God University 18 to 1
  7. Nova Southeastern University 17 to 1
  8. Plymouth State University 17 to 1
  9. Saint Leo University 17 to 1
  10. East Tennessee State University 16 to 1
  1. Lenoir–Rhyne University $41,500
  2. Saint Joseph's College of Maine $39,986
  3. Albertus Magnus College $36,442
  4. Houston Christian University $35,500
  5. Prescott College $34,701
  6. Nova Southeastern University $34,570
  7. Concordia University Chicago $34,310
  8. St. Joseph's University $30,576
  9. Southeastern University $28,320
  10. Saint Leo University $26,050
  1. Albertus Magnus College $21,744
  2. Nova Southeastern University $21,153
  3. St. Joseph's University $20,250
  4. Mount Aloysius College $15,660
  5. Regent University $15,590
  6. Saint Leo University $15,218
  7. Prescott College $14,880
  8. Shorter University $12,600
  9. Lenoir–Rhyne University $12,060
  10. Southeastern University $12,000
  1. St. Joseph's University
  2. Touro University Worldwide
  3. Lenoir–Rhyne University
  4. Southeastern University
  5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
  6. Mount Aloysius College
  7. Shorter University
  8. Bryan College
  9. Concordia University Chicago
  10. Albertus Magnus College
  1. Regent University 41%
  2. Southeastern University 45%
  3. Saint Leo University 71%
  4. Eastern Illinois University 72%
  5. Youngstown State University 78%
  6. St. Joseph's University 80%
  7. Shorter University 81%
  8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine 81%
  9. Albertus Magnus College 82%
  10. Stephen F. Austin State University 83%
  1. Prescott College 9 to 1
  2. Touro University Worldwide 10 to 1
  3. Mount Aloysius College 11 to 1
  4. Concordia University Chicago 12 to 1
  5. Wilmington University 12 to 1
  6. Bryan College 12 to 1
  7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine 12 to 1
  8. St. Joseph's University 12 to 1
  9. Lenoir–Rhyne University 13 to 1
  10. Eastern Illinois University 14 to 1
  1. California State University, Northridge $5,742
  2. East Tennessee State University $7,486
  3. Stephen F. Austin State University $7,842
  4. Bellevue University $8,310
  5. Youngstown State University $9,196
  6. Eastern Illinois University $9,207
  7. Purdue Global $10,080
  8. Wilmington University $11,760
  9. Plymouth State University $11,870
  10. Touro University Worldwide $14,600
  1. Stephen F. Austin State University $5,262
  2. Youngstown State University $6,453
  3. California State University, Northridge $7,176
  4. Southwestern Assemblies of God University $7,650
  5. Eastern Illinois University $7,691
  6. Purdue Global $8,730
  7. East Tennessee State University $8,784
  8. Wilmington University $9,000
  9. Touro University Worldwide $9,000
  10. Concordia University Chicago $9,090

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Services Degrees

Professionals looking to acquire advanced skills and expand career opportunities can earn a master’s in human services either online or on campus. With the ultimate goal of making a positive difference for people, graduate students will focus their learning in specializations like community and social services, gerontology, human services nonprofit administration, and family studies and interventions.

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Programs range from 30 to 45 credits and typically take students two to three years to complete.

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Depending on their concentration, graduates can work in a variety of fields, including long-term care, government, grant writing, and child welfare. Upon graduation, students will qualify to work in clinical settings and serve as executive directors, grants management specialists, advocacy directors, teen center directors, and human services business analysts.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s degree in social work.

Best Online Master's in Human Services Degree Programs

Social and Community Service Managers Salaries by Percentile in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of Social and Community Service Managers for each percentile in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

SVG Attribution: Wikipedia

Total Employed: 156400
10%
15%
50%
15%
10%
bell-curve
46550584907400093950118650
10th Percentile25th Percentile75th Percentile90th Percentile

Best Online Master’s in Human Services Degree Programs

  1. #1

    Wilmington University

    New Castle , DE
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    10K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #4

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #6

    Purdue Global

    West Lafayette , IN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    49K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Human Services

    Concentrations

    • Family and community services
    • Organizational and social services
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #8

    Regent University

    Virginia Beach , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/25

    Online Degrees

    MA in Human Services

    Concentrations

    • Biblical Counseling
    • Conflict & Mediation Ministry
    • Criminal Justice And Ministry
    • Counseling
    • Life Coaching
    • Trauma And Crisis Counseling
    • Marriage And Family Ministry
    • Grief Counseling
    • Human Services For Student Affairs
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
    MA in Human Services-Addiction Counseling
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #9

    Bellevue University

    Bellevue , NE
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    9K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Services

    Concentrations

    • Counseling Non-Clinical
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  7. #14

    Saint Leo University

    Saint Leo , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    9K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #16

    Concordia University Chicago

    River Forest , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/22

    Online Degrees

    MA in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 24 months
    • Format: Online
    MA in Human Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 24 months
    • Format: Online
  9. #20

    St. Joseph's University

    Brooklyn , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/24

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Services Leadership and BS in Human Services

    Concentrations

    • Dual Degree
    • Required Credits: 132
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Human Services Leadership

    Concentrations

    • Dual Degree witha Human Services BS
    • Required Credits: 132
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
  10. #21

    Mount Aloysius College

    Cresson , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $25K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    1K

    Online Degrees

    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Accounting
    • Project Management
    • Health and Human Services Administration
    • Non-Profit Management
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    3K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    945/22

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Services Leadership
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
    BS - MS in Human Services and Human Services Leadership

    Concentrations

    • Dual Degree
    • Required Credits: 132
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
  13. #25

    Touro University Worldwide

    Los Alamitos , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    2K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.