Degree Overview
Advance Your Career in the Helping Professions
Batten's online Master of Arts in Human Services is a 31-credit, fully online, non-licensure degree built for people who are already working in human services and want to move up — and for those building toward careers in government, nonprofit, and private sector roles grounded in the helping professions. The curriculum addresses the issues that human services professionals encounter every day: substance abuse and addiction, death and grief, emergency management, mental health response, administration, and community and group work. You'll complete the program with a practicum that puts your skills into practice in the human services field of your choice. Instructors bring real credentials to the classroom — most are active professionals in the field or hold both M.S.W. and Ph.D. degrees. Courses can be taken out of sequence, giving you the scheduling flexibility that working adults actually need.
This is a non-licensure program and does not lead to clinical licensure. However, coursework may be applied toward the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Speak with an enrollment counselor for details.
Course Information
All 11 courses are required. No prerequisites beyond a bachelor's degree and a 2.7 GPA. Courses may be taken out of sequence.
Foundations
Specialization
Practicum
The practicum is completed in a human services field of your choice. Students may complete it within their current place of employment if applicable. Consult your advisor for placement details.
Career Outcomes
Human services professionals support individuals, families, and communities across a wide range of care and service environments. This master's program prepares graduates for advancement into administrative, supervisory, and specialized service roles across nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare systems, and community support organizations.
Human Services Administration and Program Management
Coursework in administration, community work, and human development supports advancement into program management, supervisory, and organizational leadership roles within social service and community-based organizations.
Substance Use and Recovery Services
Specialized coursework in addiction physiology and substance use disorder treatment supports careers in addiction services, recovery programming, and substance use support roles. Depending on state requirements, coursework may also support educational preparation toward applicable certifications.
Crisis and Community Support Services
Training in mental health and emergency response systems prepares graduates for roles supporting crisis response, community intervention programs, and behavioral health service coordination.
Grief and Bereavement Support
Coursework in death, dying, and grief provides preparation for support-oriented roles within hospice organizations, healthcare systems, bereavement programs, and community support services.
Why Batten Online
92%
Successful Graduates
Of our graduates receive job offers or go on to graduate school within one year of graduation.
Free & Rolling
Apply Anytime
Rolling admissions means you can start when you're ready. Our application is free — no fee standing between you and your degree.
80%
Small Class Sizes
Of undergraduate classes have fewer than 20 students. You're not a number here — you get real attention from real faculty.
Green Colleges
Environmentally Responsible
Selected by The Princeton Review as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges, profiled in the Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition.
How to Apply
Admission Requirements
- Complete our online application.
- Provide official academic transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges and universities previously attended. If more than one institution has been attended, the cumulative GPA for all coursework attempted must be 2.7 or higher. In addition, the GPA earned at the institution where the bachelor's degree was awarded must be 2.7 or higher.
- Have a bachelor's degree (or one anticipated before starting the program).
Financial Aid
There may be financial aid options available to you when you apply for an online program at Batten University.
Explore Financial Aid Options