i want to work for Department of Human services but i need to know how much education/college i need.?

Question

can anyone let me know what schooling i need. and maybe some of u work/worked for DHS and can let me know..thanks a bunch please let me know i would like to enroll back in college to get to where i want to be in life :)

Answer 1

The janitor at DHS probably won't need much education at all; the director of the center will need a master's degree and a lot of experience at least (he might need a doctorate).

The secretary in the front office could probably get on with some experience or a 2-year degree but the casework supervisor likely needs an MSW (Master of Social Work).

The budget analyst will need a bachelor's degree in business/finance but the HR manager can probably get on with a BA/BS in any field and some HR experience.

My point is, you're asking about an agency and not about a job. In that agency there are a lot of different jobs and they each will have different requirements for entry. Narrow down what it is you want to do and you can find what the job requirements are.

Answer 2

Just as others have mentioned, it can depend on what type of position that one is looking to apply for -- administrative position in human services such as case manager or mental health counselor, for example. There are bachelor's degree (BSW) as well as master's degree (MSW) programs in social work. The MSW may eventually open their own clinical practice. I'm not sure, however, if a bachelor's in psychology would be sufficient for employment with a state agency.

For more general career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search 'social worker' or 'human services worker' or such.

For US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

Answer 3

You could probably major in one of the following

Major: Public Health

Public Health is the study of how health issues affect populations, and the development of methods to improve the general well-being of the public at large. Public Health majors study the science and the politics behind Public Health policies. Whether investigating communicable diseases, working with the mentally ill, implementing nutrition programs, or studying policy, Public Health majors strive to fulfill the mission of the World Health Organization, as given in its definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Some schools further divide this major into separate concentrations, such as nutrition, biostatistics, and health administration. Other schools require classes in each of these areas.

Many Public Health programs begin at the graduate level, but some schools do offer this major to undergraduates. Graduate study is not necessarily required to work in Public Health, but it is definitely something to consider.

Major: Health Administration

Most Health Administration curriculums combine a liberal arts background with management theory and the practical skills involved in planning and delivering health services. If you major in Health Administration, you'll take courses in management, health care administration, epidemiology, health law, and health finance and economics. You'll learn how to manage the finances of huge organizations, how to deal with personnel, and how to interpret and comply with the maze of laws that effect health care providers, administrators, and organizations. It's a good bet that you'll participate in an internship or some other kind of professional field experience as well, so as to build your professional credentials.

Upon graduation, you'll be prepared for entry-level management positions in hospitals, clinics nursing homes, mental health organizations, insurance companies, public agencies, and many other types of health care organizations.

A lot of schools offer health administration as a master's or doctoral program only, which means that you must get an undergraduate degree first before you can actually specialize in the field. It's a pretty good idea to plan on ultimately obtaining a graduate degree anyway though, because you'll make a lot more money and you'll probably find significantly more employment opportunities.

Major: Mental Health Services

Every year millions of Americans find themselves in need of mental health support. Mental health professionals continually develop new and innovative means to address the needs of mental health patients, from those suffering with depression to those with bipolar personality disorders.

Only recently have we begun to treat mental health problems as medical cases that demand well-informed and trained individuals. As a Mental Health Services major you can be part of a growing network of mental health specialists that respond to the needs of patients with mental disorders.

Part science and part social work, a major in Mental Health Services outfits you with the skills and education you need to provide a very necessary and important service to those who need it. It’s a major about making a difference in people’s lives.

Major: Public Administration

This major applies the principles of good business—management, problem-solving, decision-making, organization, and leadership—to the public sector. Public Administration careers can exist on a state or local level, in federal agencies (such as housing, law enforcement, and labor relations) and non-profit organizations (like health care and social services).

Public Administration is a hybrid field that arose from the close relationship between government and business. Politics and public policy are equally important in this field. As a Public Administration major, you’ll see how laws and regulations have affected society, and how those laws are either problematic or beneficial, and sometimes a combination of both. You’ll learn about current problems with the law, and how those laws might be changed. You’ll gain an understanding of social problems, and see how people respond to changes. You might choose to work as a city planner, a tax administrator, or an insurance regulator, among many other options.

Your program might offer areas of special interest to Public Administration such as urban studies, criminal justice, or public opinion. No matter where your interests lie, you’ll be expected to have a good knowledge of government, an interest in business, and a passion for serving others effectively.