Human Services Education in Missouri

Missouri needs skilled human services workers to fill jobs within its school system, courts, university system, hospitals, non-profits and government agencies. Whether you are working as a juvenile court liaison, a vocational counselor at a high school or community outreach worker there are many ways you can help give back to your community. There are plenty of opportunities for a well-educated human services worker in the state of Missouri.

Choosing your career path is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It is a decision that demands a lot of research and discernment so you can make an informed decision. We have compiled a database of career in human services and provided overviews that include factors such as: salary ranges, educational requirements and state-by-state licensure requirements. Take advantage of the valuable resource you have at your fingertips to help you find your way through all the career options in the human services field.

After you have finished your studies and have earned your Bachelor’s degree from a Missouri university or college human services program, you will be able to apply for work in the following positions:

• Licensed Social Worker (Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE program)
  • You will want to take the time to learn the specifics of the laws around licensure in Missouri and we have a detailed article about the subject here:
    
• Case management aide (Bachelor of Social Work, Sociology, Psychology)
  • Case and Eligibility Workers see their work flow more smoothly and benefit from increased efficiency due to the diligence and help of the Case Management Aide. The Aide has the opportunity to gain on the job training and prepare themselves for a career as a Case or Eligibility Worker. A great resource for this career track and the most likely employer is the Missouri Department of Social Services:
    
• Juvenile Court Liaison (Bachelor of Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or Criminal
  • Those who are interested in working with Juveniles and convicts in the capacity of helping to ensure that their clients understand their rights, and responsibilities within the Justice System will find that their most likely employer the Missouri Department of Corrections, is also a wealth of information on Criminal Justice careers.
    
• Substance Abuse Counselor (Bachelor of Sociology, Social Work or Psychology)
  • The Missouri Substance Abuse Credentialing Board has specific rules about certification in Missouri that you will need to meet in order to work in this career. Find more info here.
    
• Rehabilitation case worker (Bachelor of Social Work, Sociology, Psychology)
  • Helping people with disabilities or severe injuries overcome barriers to employment is a career that many find very rewarding. If you are interested in this career you might want to consider working with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation which is also an excellent place to gather information on this career here:
    
• Community Outreach Worker (Bachelor of Social Work, Sociology, Psychology)
  • The Missouri Community Service Commission is a great resource for those interested in a career in Community Outreach:
    
• Behavioral Management Aide (Bachelor of Social Work, Sociology, Psychology)
  • Working with children in one of Missouri’s 300+ school districts, you will find great challenges and tremendous fulfillment from helping children overcome their emotional pain and succeed in school. A valuable resource for you is the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
    
• Probation Officer (Bachelor of Sociology, Social Work, Psychology or Criminal Justice)
  
• Justice)
  

If you go on to graduate with a Master’s degree from a Missouri college or university Human Services program, youwill be eligible to begin a career in one of the following positions:

• Licensed Master Social Worker (Master of Social Work from a CSWE accredited)
  
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Master of Social Work from a CSWE accredited school + field experience)
  
• Marriage and Family Therapist (Master’s in Counseling, Psychology or Marriage and Family Therapy)
  
• Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (Master of Social Work from a CSWE accredited school + field experience)
  
• Social and community service manager (Masters in Business Administration, Social Work, Psychology or Sociology)
  
• Child welfare case manager (Masters in Business Administration, Social Work, Psychology or Sociology)
  

Some people feel the call to continue their education and earn their Ph.D. Having a doctorate in a human services field opens up a whole world of possibilities for you. You can take on such diverse positions as entering directly into a management position in a human services agency, to starting your own private independent mental health practice, or leading a team in clinical research. With a Ph.D. your career choices are many and varied. You can also decide to move into an academic career and train a new generation of human services workers at one of Missouri’s many universities and colleges. Once you have earned your Ph.D. you will have the maximum number of career options within your field, from research to management. You will also maximize your earning potential. It is a lot of work to earn your Ph.D. but the rewards are worth the effort.

To start your educational path you must first determine its end point. That is, to decide what the career is that you wish to hold. By browsing our section on career overviews you can get a great idea not only of the jobs available out there and what you will be expected to do in them, but also their salary ranges and educational requirements. Once you know what education will be required, you can look at our database of schools to find an online university, or one that is located in Missouri with an accredited program that meets your needs. It is always a good idea to contact your school directly to learn about their particular application process. One final thing to consider is that if you wish to attain the highest levels of licensure, there are often post-graduate field experience requirements.