10 Most Affordable Master’s in Human Services Online in 2021

Lenoir-Rhyne University confers an excellent online Master's in Human Services. This is an advanced degree that was designed specifically for working adults in mind; the entire program is 100 percent online and courses are taught in the asynchronous format. Students can also enroll at the beginning of any term, allowing them to choose when they start work on their degree. There are two tracks in this MAHS degree: Addictions Counseling, Career Development, and Human Services Management. Each track requires a practicum that takes place in a student's community. Students will also be given the opportunity to engage in applied research, enabling them to build a portfolio of work prior to leaving school. This program also enables students the chance to earn HS-BCP certification following graduation. Graduation requirements include 33 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Theoretical Foundations and History of Human Services, Human Systems, and Human Services Delivery Systems.

Students interested in an accelerated Master's in Human Services online degree will find what they're looking for at Saint Leo University. The degree is 100 percent conferred online with no residency requirements required and it can be completed in one year will full-time study. This program is built with a particular focus on nonprofit work; courses teach students about grant writing, fundraising, how to build a nonprofit, budgeting, and more. The MAHSA at Saint Leo also offers students an optional practical experience; while not necessary for graduation, it can help students find work in the field after they have graduated. If an online student decides to take on the practical experience, they will be paired with an organization in their community. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Grantsmanship, Marketing in Human Services Administration, and Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Services.

Bellevue University offers both working and pre-service professionals the chance to earn an online Master's in Human Services. The MAHS program was designed to give all students a firm understanding of the field of human services, enabling them to combine theory and concepts with administration and management skills. Courses are taught by campus faculty and are delivered asynchronously. While this is a 100 percent online program of study, some students may decide to complete a work experience for their capstone project. These experiences are always done within a student's community. Students will note that this is a non-licensure degree; professionals who want to be licensed for mental health counseling are advised to search for another degree. This program requires 36 credit hours of coursework, a research project, a capstone project, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Ethics for Human Services, Community Engagement, and Introduction to Human Services Administration.

Faith-based professionals will find a Christ-centered online Master's in Human Services at the University of Northwestern at St. Paul. This is an applied professional degree that does not lead to licensure; professionals interested in licensure are advised to see UNWSP's other online degrees. The program is delivered 100 percent online or in a hybrid program and comes with a concentration in Family Studies. All courses are delivered asynchronously and the program requirements can be met in as little as 18 months. Research plays a large role in this curriculum, providing students with the chance to see how concepts work in the field. Students will be expected to complete 36 credit hours of coursework along with a research project and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Theories of Human Development, Human Services Foundations and Systems, and Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Human Services.

The University of Illinois at Springfield confers a human services master's online degree that comes with four concentrations: Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Child and Family Studies, Gerontology, and Social Services Administration. The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Concentration is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association. This degree is designed for and admits students with previous educational and work experience in the field of human services; it is an advanced, multidisciplinary professional degree that provides professionals with a path towards advancing their careers. The program does require that all students partake an internship that amounts to 400 hours of work experience; those with three years of validated work experience in the field may waive this requirement upon the approval of the department. Students can also expect to complete 44 credit hours of coursework as well as a capstone project. Sample courses include Ethics and Professional Development, Social Policy and Human Services, and Critical Perspectives in Human Services.

Students interested in forensic science within the field of human services will want to check out Concordia University at St. Paul. This school confers an online Master's in Human Services with an emphasis in forensic behavioral health; the program was designed in partnership with the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies. It is a 100 percent online program that offers asynchronous courses as well as faculty that are also working professionals in the field. This program was built for students who already work in behavioral health or law enforcement and provides them with an advanced professional degree in this field. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, an internship, and a research project. Sample courses include Special Populations in Human Services, Risk Assessment in Human Services, and Forensic Behavioral Health Law for the Human Service Professional.

Wilmington University offers an online master's in human services that is designed for scholar-practitioners who have a foundation of work or education experience in the field. The program focuses on the organizations of human services, including the government, nonprofit agencies, and for-profit companies. This 100 percent online program delivers both asynchronous and synchronous courses for students as well as a seven-week term, enabling most students to complete the requirements in just over a year. A practicum is required for this degree for those who don't choose the thesis option; students can complete it in their own community upon approval of the department. Students will be expected to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a research project, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Survey of Human Services, Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Services Administration, and Financial Management in Human Services.

Nurses who are interested in becoming nursing home administrators will want to check out the online Master's of Health and Human Services provided by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. This 100 percent online program was designed specifically for nurses, providing them with the opportunity to earn a degree that is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators. This is a unique program in that it provides students with the chance to earn clinical certification through its set of practicum experience options. Practicum options include field experience in a community setting, general practical experience, clinical practicum, health services executive practicum, or administrator-in-training for medical settings. Students will also be expected to complete 33 credit hours of coursework, a research paper, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Finance for Health Services Administrators, Health and Human Service Systems, and Health Informatics and Application.

Lubbock Christian University offers an online Master's in Human Services that was built for both working and pre-service professionals. As a 100 percent online program, students will be guided through their asynchronous coursework by faith-based educators who are also working professionals. The MHSC program offers two specializations: Non-Profit Leadership and Family Life Educator. Either specialization within the degree can be completed in two years with part-time study; both concentrations do require either a practicum or a capstone project. The program has no residency requirements, making it a perfect fit for students who are interested in part-time study while working full-time. Students will be expected to complete 36 credit hours of coursework and their specialization's required capstone. Sample courses include Helping Professions and Public Policy, Social Development of Individuals and Families, and Human Services Theory and Practice.

Post University delivers a cheap online Master's in Human Services degree that focuses on counseling within the human services field. The degree offers four concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Non-Profit Management, and Forensic Mental Health Counseling; students should note that this is a non-licensure degree, although it can provide a pathway towards licensure with another degree. The MSHS is a 100 percent online program that delivers all of its courses asynchronously. Students will be required to complete 37 credit hours of coursework, an internship, a practicum, and a research capstone project. Sample courses include Human Services Ethics and Diversity, Human Services Policy, and Applied Research Methods in Human Services.