Health and Human Services

"Health and human services" is a general term covering a wide range of programs, professions and services in which the central goal is to assist those in need, whether medically, emotionally or socially.

Health and human services can be divided into three major but interrelated disciplines:

Medical services, therapeutic professions, and social programs and counseling offer treatment, guidance, and assistance to patients, children at risk, the abused, the physically or mentally challenged, the psychologically damaged, the poor, the aged, substance abusers, and many other individuals who find themselves in troubling circumstances.

HHS exists to assist individuals and families when the circumstances of life become too difficult for them to deal with on their own. Those at risk or in trouble can be children, adolescents, adults, or families, and this assistance can be accomplished in numerous ways, including nursing and emergency medical services; social work and counseling; substance abuse intervention and rehabilitation; child care and welfare; family and women's health; aid for the handicapped; various forms of therapy; and senior care, such as day care and assisted living facilities.

Although the health and human services field is broad and encompasses numerous different disciplines, professions, and levels of skill, the ultimate goal of all these professions and programs is the same: to enhance the quality of life of those individuals who seek these services, regardless of their age or their needs, as measured by their sound physical and mental health.

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Health and Human Services Degrees

As the field of health and human services grows, so does the demand for trained professionals. This has led to the development of numerous education and training programs. All 50 states have at least one program, and many states (such as New York and California) offer more than 20 programs. An increasing number of potential human service professionals are earning their degrees online, as the freedom from geographical restrictions and the flexibility of online courses allows this study to be accomplished on a schedule convenient to employed individuals wishing to forward or switch their careers.

Many community colleges offer associate degrees in one of the core disciplines in the HHS field, as well as programs that lead to certification in specialized areas. Often the goal of these two-year programs is vocational, preparing the student with the certification necessary to start working as a professional practitioner with minimal delay. Many four year colleges offer human services programs that lead to a bachelor's degree, and a growing number of colleges and universities are offering graduate programs leading to advanced degrees in human services, which most often focus on administration.

A sample of available Health and Human Services degrees includes:

Associate in Applied Science in Health and Human Services
Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services
Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services
Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services Administration
Master of Science in Health and Human Services
Master of Science in Health and Human Services/Leadership/Executive Management
Ph.D. in Human Services-Health and Human Services

View detailed information and descriptions of available Health and Human Services degree programs.

Since much of the work performed in the HHS field has a direct impact on the physical or emotional well-being of an individual, strong emphasis is placed on formal education, training and experience. Most employers prefer applicants for human service positions to have some work experience, or a degree in human services or social work, or both, even for entry-level positions.

Most states and private agencies require a master's degree in social work for any position which provides clinical or consulting services, as well as for most administrative positions. Many states also require licensing or certification in addition to an advanced degree and clinical training for any professional holding a position in the field.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a college degree has the potential to nearly double one's annual income. While a general degree in health and human services can provide an overall introduction to the field, the more advanced and specific the degree, the greater one's chances for success will be, in any of the many fields of service.

If you are serious about pursuing a degree in some human services discipline, choice of schools is of key importance. Be sure to investigate the curriculum of any school that offers degrees in these fields, then compare several candidate schools' curricula closely to determine which is most likely to lead your career in the direction you want to go.

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Career Opportunities in Health and Human Services

Job opportunities in the health and human services field are abundant, both in the private sector and at every level of government, including municipal, county, state and federal. Each state has its own Health and Human Services division, for instance, and the federal government's Department of Health and Human Services is one of the largest employers in the field.

According to the U.S. Census Dept., more than 15 million people were employed in the health and human services-related professions in 2002, including nurses, physicians and dentists; mental health counselors and various types of therapists; home health care and family planning specialists; hospital and emergency medical personnel; retirement home and eldercare facility staff; child and youth advocates; and many other professions and positions.

Among the most popular careers in this field are:

Social Work and Counseling

Health Care

Therapy

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Financial Outlook for Careers in Health and Human Services

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "some of the fastest growing occupations in the Nation" are in the area of health and human services. Job opportunities should be abundant during the next decade. The growth rate for positions which provide individual and family services, for example, is anticipated to grow at more than twice the rate of all jobs in general. Entry-level social and human service assistant positions could see the greatest rise, demanding as many as 46 percent more trained personnel during the coming decade as are currently employed in these positions.