Social and Community Services Master's Degree Programs
Read about master's degree programs in the social and community services field, including social work and human services programs. Explore the curricula for these programs, and read about online or hybrid learning options. Get info on career opportunities for graduates with a master's degree in social work or human services.
<h3 id="section---WhatMasterSDegreesAreAvailableInSocialAndCommunityServices">What Master's Degrees Are Available in Social and Community Services?</h3>
<p>There are two common master's degrees you can earn in social and community services. The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a clinically-focused 2-year program designed to prepare students for advanced professional practice as social workers. As an MSW student, you will be required to complete at least 900 hours of supervised clinical field experiences where you will learn to conduct assessments. If you already have a bachelor's degree in social work, you may receive advanced standing within the program and be able to complete your master's degree in less than two years.
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<p>Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Services programs are designed for students wishing to become managers and policy developers within non-profit and human services organizations. There is no clinical component in a human services program, but an internship or research project is generally required.
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Programs</b></td><td>Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Human Services or Master of Arts in Human Services</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Social Work Common Courses</b></td><td>Human behavior, social justice, diagnostic assessment and social welfare policy</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Human Services Common Courses</b></td><td>Community building, legal issues, human services policy and non-profit management</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td>Available for all degree programs; in-person fieldwork required for MSW</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Areas</b></td><td>Children and families, substance abuse, supervisory positions or research; licensure required for social workers</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $51,760 (<i>for all social workers</i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 13% growth (<i>for all social workers</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---WhatCoursesWillITake">What Courses Will I Take?</h3>
<p>The MSW curriculum is designed to increase your social work practice knowledge. You will learn practical skills as well as theory through independent study, fieldwork and coursework such as the following:
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<ul><li>Social welfare policy
</li><li>Human behavior
</li><li>Social policy analysis
</li><li>Diagnostic assessment
</li><li>Social work research
</li><li>Social justice
</li></ul><p>The human services curriculum is designed to increase your leadership ability and to learn to analyze, develop and advocate social service policy through coursework such as the following:
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<ul><li>Non-profit management
</li><li>Legal issues in human services
</li><li>Human services ethical issues
</li><li>Human services policy
</li><li>Leadership development
</li><li>Community building
</li><li>Fundraising and grants
</li></ul><h3 id="section---CanIEarnMyDegreeOnline">Can I Earn My Degree Online?</h3>
<p>Both MSW and human services master's degree programs are available online. Online MSW and human services programs consist of the same courses and requirements as the on-campus programs. Your coursework is typically made up of online instruction, webcasts and asynchronous didactic material.
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<p>Some MSW programs are a hybrid of online courses and required on-campus intensive weekend courses. Supervised clinical fieldwork is also required for online MSW degrees. Your program can place you at a fieldwork location in your area or you can seek approval from your program to work at a specific location.
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<h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithMyDegree">What Can I Do With My Degree?</h3>
<p>MSW graduates can work in medical and public health facilities, offering support to individuals, families or communities dealing with illness. As a social worker, you can evaluate and provide support for mental or substance abuse patients, or offer services and assistance to children and families dealing with issues such as foster care or domestic violence. Both MSW and human services master's degree holders may find supervisor, manager or director positions in evaluation or program planning within community outreach programs for public and private organizations. You will typically work to develop government policies and advocate for them within various agencies and research institutions. Other career options include teaching, research and private practice.
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<p>If you graduate from an MSW program, you will be required by all 50 states and Washington D.C. to be licensed, certified or registered as a social worker. Each state has developed their own requirements, however; most states typically require you to have two years or a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in order to qualify for licensure as a clinical social worker.</p>