Linked by a shared passion for helping those in need within a community, human services professionals and social workers share many similarities. However, those who are interested in pursuing human services or social work careers should understand the key differences between these two fields. Knowing the scope and purpose of each may help you better determine which path to take as you prepare for your career. So, what is human services, and what is social work in comparison?
Foundations of Human Services and Social Work
People truly create the foundation for the fields of social work and human services. Both of these professions focus primarily on serving communities, identifying those in need, improving accessibility to resources, and implementing targeted strategies designed to help people overcome the challenges that they are facing in their daily lives.
What Is Human Services?
According to the National Organization for Human Services, human services is defined as the practice of meeting the needs of humans within a specific population, with the goal of improving their overall quality of life. It is an interdisciplinary field with a relatively broad scope, allowing professionals the opportunity to specialize in areas that interest them most. Human services professionals focus on systems-level changes, including program management, policy advocacy, and resource coordination, rather than clinical interventions.
What Is Social Work?
According to the National Association of Social Workers, social work is a profession that focuses on meeting the needs of people, particularly those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or oppressed. Social workers consider not only the needs of the individual but also the influence that the environment has on their circumstances. Compared to human services, social work has a much more specific scope. Social workers often engage directly with clients through case management, therapy, and intervention, while also addressing systemic barriers.
Key Differences Between Human Services vs. Social Work
While the fields of social work and human services are very similar in the sense that they both focus on meeting the needs of people, there are a few fundamental differences to be aware of as you begin to develop applicable skills for these types of professions.
Core Philosophies and Objectives
Both specialties zero in on the needs of others, but the core philosophies and objectives of social work and human services do vary. Social workers work closely with individuals facing challenges in order to address environmental concerns and provide them with services they need. Human services professionals, on the other hand, focus more on improving services that are available to people and ensuring those services are accessible and equitable. Social workers often address clinical needs directly, whereas human services workers may oversee service programs or advocate for broader policy changes.
Educational Pathways and Degree Requirements
The educational pathways and degree requirements are different for these fields as well. Those interested in the human services realm should pursue a bachelor’s degree in human services in order to develop practical skills for entry-level jobs. A graduate degree in human services allows those in the field to gain skills required for specialized positions or leadership opportunities.
Those interested in social work and entry-level positions may pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work to build their skill set. According to the Council on Social Work Education, many employers prefer social workers to earn a master’s degree in social work, as this graduate degree program enables them to hone the skills needed for specialized roles or leadership opportunities in social work. A master’s degree is a requirement for clinical social work.
“Often, what sets the fields apart is the training. Social work training includes a solid focus on family, family dynamics, and integration of social issues in decision-making and may include clinical skills for the provision of mental health services. However, with additional degree training, the human service worker can aspire to become a mental health provider by obtaining one of the professional counselor degrees, such as school counselor, addictions counselor, clinical rehabilitation counselor, and clinical mental health counselor. The professional counselor can participate in and provide several mental health and human service needs.”
Exploring the Similarities of Social Work and Human Services
Human services and social work have plenty of common ground, largely because professionals in both fields are passionate about helping those in their communities in need.
Shared Values and Principles
Both fields are anchored by shared values and principles — including improving the quality of life for individuals within a given population or community — as well as raising awareness for those who may be underrepresented, vulnerable, or marginalized.
Overlapping Roles and Responsibilities
In some cases, human services professionals and licensed counselors may collaborate to address the needs of individuals and communities. Human services professionals typically focus on coordinating resources, advocating for programs, and providing non-clinical support, while licensed counselors are trained to deliver direct therapeutic services to individuals facing mental health challenges. Both play essential roles in promoting mental health awareness and implementing strategies that improve access to care, but their approaches and professional scopes differ significantly.
Career Pathways in Social Work and Human Services
Knowing the available career pathways available in both human services and social work could help you begin developing a plan for acquiring the necessary and relevant skills.
Career Options in Social Work
According to the National Association of Social Workers, these are some of the clinical and non-clinical roles in the field:
- Hospital social worker
- School social worker
- Clinical social worker
- Social work administrator
Job Opportunities in Human Services
Some of the most common job opportunities in human services include:
- Outreach specialist
- Caseworker
- Counselor or therapist
- Occupational therapist
Skills and Preparation for Success
Given the fact that both human services professionals and social workers are required to develop strategic and evidence-based strategies to improve the quality of life for the populations that they serve, it is not surprising that these professionals must possess the right practical, technical, and soft skills in order to be successful in their careers. Understanding the skills necessary to succeed in these fields may help you determine which path may be the best for you.
Essential Skills for Human Services and Social Work
Many of the skills needed for social work and human services overlap, with Indeed noting that some of the core skills include communication, critical thinking, cultural awareness, advocacy, organization, time management, professionalism, and respect. In addition, both human services and social workers need to be able to set their own safe boundaries in order to protect their mental well-being and prevent burnout.
Navigating Educational and Career Decisions
As you begin to navigate potential educational and career pathways, you may want to work with an academic advisor or career counselor to help determine which route to take. Recognizing your personal strengths and identifying your career goals could help you pave a path forward where you may reach your full potential.
Explore the Connections Between Social Work and Human Services at Post University
The fields of counseling and human services share a commitment to supporting individuals and communities in need. Human services professionals often focus on program development, policy advocacy, and resource coordination, while counselors engage in clinical practices to help individuals manage personal challenges. At Post University, our online Bachelor of Science in Human Services and our online Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services programs are designed to help you build the specialized skills and practical knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact in these diverse fields.
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