A career in human services is ideal for someone who wants to make a difference in the lives of others while simultaneously enjoying a personally rewarding profession. Many students who have undergraduate degrees in human services, psychology or sociology find that they are a good fit for the online master’s in human services counseling degree program at Post University.
Pros of a Master’s in Counseling and Human Services
With a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services, you would enjoy many different benefits. These are just a few of the perks associated with becoming a counseling and human services professional:
There Are a Variety of Career Options Available
Counseling and human services is known for being a flexible field with many different job opportunities. According to HumanServicesEdu.org, these are just a few of the more common career options:
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor
A clinical mental health counselor may work with couples or individuals that are struggling with issues that affect their mental health or well-being. Mental health counselors work in a variety of settings, including medical offices, hospitals, and schools.
- Drug and Alcohol Counselor
A drug and alcohol counselor often works with patients who are experiencing a substance use disorder in order to help them live a sober and fulfilling life. A drug and alcohol counselor may work in a variety of settings with patients of all ages.
- Family Therapist
A family therapist may work with married couples, families with adult children or families with minor children in order to help them better understand their relationships and overcome conflicts.
- Director of Human Services Agency
A human services agency director may work at a non-profit organization or government agency in order to provide critical services to the community.
You Will Enjoy a Rewarding Career
If you are looking for a career that is more than just a job, the counseling and human services industry offers plenty of opportunities. Careers in this field offer a number of ways to make a difference in nearly every aspect of their communities. A counseling and human services career is not only professionally rewarding but it’s also personally gratifying.
Whether you are looking as a counselor at a high school or you want to work as a counselor in an under-served community, your degree in counseling and human services will open doors to careers that allow you to make a difference.
In human services, you have the opportunity to work closely with the people that you serve and provide them with access to the benefits and resources that they need. You guide people, counsel them and serve them in ways that many other professionals simply do not. Many graduates of master’s programs report that they find their careers to be personally fulfilling on many levels.
In addition, with a master’s degree, you will be able to obtain higher-level positions within this field. These positions, which often involve management and direction, allow you to benefit financially, as well. You are more likely to earn a higher salary when you have a graduate degree in counseling and human services.
You Can Tailor Your Interests to Your Career
Perhaps one of the most significant benefits of earning a master’s in counseling and human services is that you have the opportunity to tailor your personal interests to your career goals. There are few fields that are as broad and far-reaching as human services, which means that graduates of this program have a unique opportunity to personalize their career path.
For example, if you have an undergraduate degree in child development and you have long had a passion for working with children who are overcoming trauma, then you can earn a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services. In this position, you can have a direct impact on the lives of children. You can combine your care and compassion for young children with your education and expertise, allowing you to begin a career that you truly enjoy.
This is just one example of how this degree program can allow you to tailor your personal interests to your career. No matter what you are interested in on a personal level, you will be well equipped to pursue positions within the human services industry perfectly suited to your needs.
You Will Never Stop Learning
Students who are pursuing a graduate degree are obviously dedicated learners who enjoy discovering new things every day. If you are considering a master’s program, then you likely have a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.
Fortunately, if you are opting for this career path, your education will not end when you earn your master’s degree. When you work in this field, you will learn something new every day. For example, you may work in a clinical setting assisting older adult patients and their caregivers with their patient plans. Every patient is unique, so you will always be learning more about the different conditions and challenges that older adults face. You will discover new and better ways to help these people enjoy the golden years of their lives to the fullest, and you will learn more about how to help them access the care they need so that they can live a life filled with dignity and respect. Beyond these aspects of your job, you will connect with elderly patients and learn more about their own stories.
Through these connections, you will learn life lessons that you will carry with you and share with others on your own journey.
This Career Field Has a Favorable Job Outlook
Enrolling in a counseling and human services master’s program is an investment of your financial resources as well as your time. It’s important that you receive a return on your investment in the form of a new position in your chosen career field or a promotion to a higher position at your place of employment.
One of the largest benefits of selecting this degree program is that the field, as a whole, has a favorable job outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the counseling and human services industry is expected to grow by about 17 percent throughout the next decade. This is considered to be much faster than average. In addition, there will be an increase of about 71,500 human services jobs over the next 10 years.
As more and more people begin to realize the importance of counseling, education, and preventative care, it is anticipated that the counseling and human services industry will continue to expand significantly. It is becoming apparent across the world that the resources and services that counselors and other human service professionals provide are invaluable.
You Can Complete Your Education Online
One thing that many prospective students do not realize is that it is entirely possible to complete a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services online. Online education programs are becoming more prevalent across the country, and remote learning is becoming the norm for many graduate students.
It is important to select a graduate degree program from a university that is experienced with online learning. As many universities and colleges are new to the online experience and are still developing their complete online curriculums, it would be beneficial to select a university that has always been offering this innovative and convenient option.
Post University, for instance, has long offered a counseling and human services graduate degree online, and its students have heralded the tools and resources that the university uses to bring the educational experience to the digital world.
When you opt for an online master’s degree program, you have the benefit of completing your coursework in a time and manner which is convenient for you. It allows you to balance your existing professional and personal obligations with your educational goals. For many students, this is becoming the preferred option, and it is one of the most realistic ways to take your education and career to the next level.
The human services field is expected to grow, making this a viable career option for anyone who is interested in helping others and having a significant impact on society. For more information about the human services counseling master’s program at Post University, contact us today.
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Please note jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs, career outcomes, and/or salaries expected from any Post University program. To learn more about Post University’s program and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions representative.