Homedegree Programshuman ServicesOnline Master Human Services

Online Master’s Degree in Human Services

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
January 3, 2027*
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
9
Total Courses
$420
Cost Per Credit
1 year
Average Completion*
15 hours
Weekly Course Effort

Master’s in Human Services Overview

It’s time to take your human services career further. Earn your master’s degree online and be ready to take on leadership positions in this fast-growing field.

  • Expand your impact as an advocate for people in need by learning to design, deliver, evaluate, and oversee effective interventions and programs.
  • Gain real-world experience through an optional internship.
  • Fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the optional HS-BCP exam as part of your coursework.
  • Specialize your degree plan by choosing from two concentrations.

Gain the Expertise Employers — and Communities — Need

  • Understand the history and impact of past and present policies and legislation in the human services field.
  • Identify and implement effective strategies that incorporate a theoretical and philosophical framework built on the values of the human services profession.
  • Evaluate information, analyze data, and interpret and evaluate findings to help deliver appropriate services.
  • Understand individual needs, the scope of the populations you serve, and the relevance of multiculturalism and diversity in delivering human services.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

See Program Degree Plan and Policies

Meet the Demand for Human Services Professionals

With America’s expanding senior population and 11% of people living in poverty, demand for experienced human and social services professionals is growing.

Member of CSHSE

This program is a member of the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) and adheres to their curriculum standards.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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What Courses Will I Take?

Both core courses and concentration courses provide a comprehensive education in theory and practice.

Sample Courses

  • Human Development and Human Behavior in Context
  • History, Multiculturalism, and Diversity in Human Services
  • Skills and Practice in Human Services
  • Professional Ethics and Personal Values
  • Master's Capstone in Human Services
See All Human Services Courses

Program Requirements

6
Core Courses
3
Elective Courses
9
Total Courses
45
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Admissions Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a graduate program. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

Human Services Degree Concentrations

Choose from two concentrations to customize your degree:

Learn to address the complexities of developing and administering services for children and families. Focus on human development, resiliency, family theories, and advocacy.

Gain the knowledge and skills to work with diverse funding sources, influence policy, supervise staff, and develop and administer programs that address community needs.

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Prepare for Certification

Coursework in this program fulfills the educational requirements to sit for the optional Human Services—Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) exam offered by the Center for Credentialing & Education.

Please note that you must meet post-degree experience requirements in order to earn the optional HS-BCP credential.

Opportunities for Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, a self-paced course that includes information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

Students are also invited to join the Human Services Club and the Human Services Honor Society (TUA) for further networking and educational opportunities.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study

  • Describe your experience developing or improving a program to better serve clients. How did you measure its success and make adjustments?
  • Describe a time when you had to advocate for a client who wasn't getting the services or support they needed. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
  • How do you support professional growth and accountability among your team members? Can you give an example of how you've coached or mentored staff?

Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field

  • Mental Health
  • Human Services
  • Communication
  • Management
  • Leadership
  • Advocacy
  • Writing
  • Problem Solving
  • Ethical Standards and Conduct
  • Computer Literacy
  • Research
  • Planning
  • Operations
  • Case Management
  • Program Management

Take a Career Assessment

Discover your work interests, and use them to chart your ideal career path.

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Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our Master of Science in Human Services and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

View Brochure

Choosing a Master’s Degree in Human Services

Understand and advocate for individual needs. Find additional resources on the value of pursuing a master’s in human services.

What Can You Do With a Human Services Degree?

Launch your career in a communication-centered and rewarding field. Create solutions to everyday problems and help people live better lives.

Helping Others as a Human Services Professional

Have a knack for helping others? Discover the skills you need to make actionable plans that help people reach their full potential.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

58%

Faculty members who have terminal degrees

477

Faculty publications in 2024–2025

More Than 44,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Certification Exams: Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

Human Services Programs Licensure: The coursework in this program fulfills the academic requirements to sit for the optional exam to become a Human Services—Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP). Please note that you must meet post-degree experience requirements in order to earn the optional HS-BCP credential. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. This program was not designed to lead to certification or licensure as a social worker or counselor in any specific state. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.

Industry Job Growth: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Community and Social Service Occupations, www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/home.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Internship: The student is responsible for identifying and obtaining approval for an appropriate internship in his or her location.

Poverty Statistic: U.S. Census Bureau, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2021, https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-277.html.