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Human Services

Advance your career in human services leadership, program planning and family life education. This M.S. offers an applied focus, faculty mentoring and a capstone project, and you can complete it online, hybrid or face-to-face.

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Human Services

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Degree Level
Master of Science
Delivery
In Person / Fully Online / Accelerated
Time to Degree
3 Semesters
Credit Hours
33 Total, 33 in Major
Careers
Family, Postsecondary, Teachers, Farm, Educators
Human Services  students at EIU

Why Study Human Services at EIU?

  • Learn through hands-on, project-based coursework
  • Work closely with faculty in small class settings
  • Prepare for a wide range of careers across almost every industry
"I didn't expect to get real experience this early, but by my sophomore year I was already working on projects that felt like actual marketing work. It made me feel confident that I'm ready for what comes next."
Alex Wilcoxon
Marketing | Junior
Alex Wilcoxon, Marketing at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Project-based coursework
  • Collaborative learning experiences
  • Opportunities for internships and applied work
Hands-On Experience, Human Services  students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The M.S. in Human Services supports your learning through human services content, an applied focus, experiential learning and faculty mentoring. It is a fit if you work or want to work in administration, teaching or leadership roles that help individuals and families.

View in Catalog
$56,435
Median Salary 4 Years After Graduation

Career Outcomes

  • Family & Consumer Sciences Teachers,…
  • Secondary School Teachers
  • Farm & Home Management Educators

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)
Personality Fit Social

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$15,147 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 15% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit, so federal loans alone can cover tuition and fees.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education - at EIU's rates, that can cover a good share of a part-time master's.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid →
15% of lifetime limit

$15,147 total, just 15% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Kathleen O'Rourke
Professor, Aging Studies Graduate Coordinator, & Human Services Graduate Coordinator
kaorourke@eiu.edu
1044 Klehm Hall
217-581-6076
Kathleen O'Rourke Message Kathleen

Message Kathleen

or email kaorourke@eiu.edu directly
Dianne Timm
Chair, School of Human Development
dtimm@eiu.edu
2109
217-581-5327
Dianne Timm Message Dianne

Message Dianne

or email dtimm@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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