M.S. in Human Services Management: What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career

A Master of Science (MS) in Human Services Management is a graduate degree for experienced human services professionals looking to move into a leadership or administrative role within a social service agency or organization. The MS in Human Services Management degree is not a clinical degree for those wishing to practice counseling or social work in a direct therapy setting. This degree is for those looking to lead and manage human services programs and organizations and seeking formal training in the core functions of management as applied in the human services and nonprofit sectors.

What Is an MS in Human Services Management?

The core of most human services management programs is the same as any other management program: budgeting, program evaluation, supervision, and strategic planning. However, most programs also include content that is specific to the social services and nonprofit sector. This can include grant writing, nonprofit governance, the program's relationship with regulatory agencies, and the program's relationships with funding agencies.

The MS in Human Services program'st degree program is offered as part of National Louis University's health and human services programs. The degree provides leadership skills for advancement into management roles in human services organizations. It complements the undergraduate B.A. in Human Services degree and graduate degrees in counseling and psychology.

Why Pursue an MS in Human Services Management?

The MS in Human Services Management is ideal for professionals currently providing human services who want to move into a program leadership or agency administration role. Such professionals are often good at their jobs as case managers, counselors, program coordinators, etc. However, these positions do not provide training in the management and leadership skills needed for program leadership and administration. The degree is designed to fill that gap.

A Human Services Management degree appeals to professionals committed to the Human Services Mission of serving individuals, families, and communities who want to take on greater organizational responsibility and earn higher compensation than is typical for most direct service jobs.

These programs are typically designed for human services professionals who have practiced in direct service for some time and want to move into a leadership role or become a program or agency administrator. Rather than relying on candidates to gain these skills on the job, as they would in a counseling or social work program, the MS in Human Services Management provides students with formal training in a wide array of skills, including budgeting, program evaluation, staff supervision, and strategic planning.

Key Questions About This Degree

Do I need prior human services experience to apply?

In addition to the required prerequisites for the Human Services graduate degree, many Human Services graduate degree programs require applicants to have prior experience in a human services-related occupation, such as social work or another related field.

Is this a clinical degree?

Human services management is a distinct sector from clinical counseling and social work. Therefore, this degree does not provide formal education for clinical practice or licensure in any human services profession. Instead, it provides formal management education to complement the professional degree of those already practicing as counselors and in other direct-practice human services professions.

What kind of organizations do graduates typically manage?

These include nonprofit social service agencies, community mental health organizations, government human services departments, and healthcare-adjacent organizations that provide social services in addition to clinical care.

How is this different from a general MBA?

In contrast, an MBA is generally designed to teach students the principles of business, which can be applied across many industries. Students learn about budgeting, management, etc. However, the MS in Human Services Management degree prepares students for the specific challenges of human services and nonprofit service management. Students will learn about issues such as grant writing, nonprofit governance, etc.

Career Outcomes

Professionals who earn their MS in Human Services Management go on to work in a variety of roles including program director, human services agency administrator, nonprofit executive director, case management supervisor, and community services manager. Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade. For current projections and wage data for Social and Community Service Managers, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers.

Because organizations in the human services sector are many and varied and work in several nonprofit, government, and healthcare settings, there are many possibilities. Once you have gained experience managing a program, you can move on to manage several programs or run an entire agency. People with grant-writing and fundraising skills, in addition to management skills, are highly valued in the nonprofit sector, where writing grants to secure program funding is a constant task.

Compensation for individuals in human services management roles can vary by organization and sector. Compensation in this field is generally lower than comparable roles in the private sector and typically higher than most roles in direct human services. Compensation depends on the nonprofit and human services sector's funding structure.

MS in Human Services Management at National Louis University

National Louis University currently offers an MS in Human Services Management, providing a program for experienced human services providers. The degree builds the leadership and management skills of those in the human services profession to help them move into program administration and agency leadership.