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Human Services

Also offered as: Minor

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
See it for yourself Schedule a Visit
"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
Human Services | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, Human Services 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 for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

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

Career Insights

Job Outlook Average Outlook Average OutlookO*NET doesn't currently flag any of the careers linked to this program as Bright Outlook. That doesn't mean jobs aren't out there. It just means these careers aren't expected to grow quickly, don't have 75,000 or more projected openings, and aren't new and emerging.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)Job Zone 5: Extensive preparationMost of these careers require graduate school, and many also call for more than five years of experience.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit SocialSocial interest typeYou like helping people. This work centers on supporting others by helping, teaching, advising or serving them.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

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. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

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. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
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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