Online Master of Science (MS) in Human Services Degree Program
Online Master of Science (MS) in Human Services Degree Program

Online Human Services (MS) Overview

The Online Master of Science (MS) in Human Services degree program at Argosy University is designed to prepare students to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations such as mental health centers, guidance centers, mental hospitals, alcohol and drug treatment centers, and correctional institutions. 

The Human Services master’s online degree program is intended for individuals already employed in the human services field who wish to advance or those who plan to change careers to the human services professions.

Students will have an opportunity to apply relevant academic theory to practice through a competency-based curriculum. The Human Services degree program is designed to develop an understanding of the needs of diverse populations, as well as the systems essential to operating human service programs.

Gainful Employment Information

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Program Outcome One: Theoretical Application
    Apply the knowledge, theory, and skills of the human service profession to support sound decision-making and improve service outcomes.
  • Program Outcome Two: Interdisciplinary Practice
    Integrate knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines into professional practice, such as effecting behavioral change, applying systems thinking, and achieving service outcomes.
  • Program Outcome Three: Research
    Develop skills in inquiry, critical thinking, and decision-making to initiate change and evaluate its consequences for the human services field.
  • Program Outcome Four: Personal Value Systems and Interpersonal Effectiveness
    Develop self-awareness and a service-oriented value system to establish, build, and sustain effective working relationships that address the needs of service populations.
  • Program Outcome Five: Multicultural Competence
    Analyze the unique characteristics of diverse populations and apply culturally responsive strategies to strengthen professional practice and enhance service outcomes.
  • Program Outcome Six: Professional Ethics
    Analyze and apply the ethical and social responsibilities of the human services professional to practice.
  • Program Outcome Seven: Policy Advocacy
    Examine social and group dynamics, and evaluate the policy development cycle for advocacy avenues, communication strategies, and coalition building opportunities to effect social change.
  • Program Outcome Eight: Administration of Human Services
    Execute duties and responsibilities that support and promote the organizational mission, including managing group performance, and evaluating programs to assess their effectiveness and viability.

Admissions Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a nationally accredited institution approved and documented by the faculty and dean of the College of Counseling, Psychology and Social Sciences, or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
  • A grade point average (GPA) on (on a scale of 4.0) as described below. Additional requirements may apply.
    • 2.7 for the bachelor's degree, or
    • 3.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework (including graduate work), or
    • Between 2.0 and 2.7 for the bachelor's degree. Students seeking admission with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.7 will be required to submit a personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession, current résumé (or career summary), one completed letter from a current employer, and evidence of completing one undergraduate introductory social science course with a grade of "C" or better. Students admitted with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.7 must enroll in W5096 - Academic Writing within the first 15 week semester and pass within the first 30 weeks. Admission between 2.0 and 2.7 must be approved by the department chair and must be justified, documented, signed, placed, and retained in the student's academic file.
      • Between 2.0 and 2.4 for the bachelor's degree. Students are also required to submit three academic or professional letters of recommendation (one from an employer).
  • A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, "English Language Proficiency Policy."

All applications for admission must be submitted to the Admissions Department. An admissions representative is available to help interested applicants complete the following required documentation:

  • Completed Application for Admission Form.
  • Personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession.
  • If the basis of admission is an earned bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (on a scale of 4.0), an official transcript from the degree granting institution.
  • If the basis of admission is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework, official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended during the 60 hours of study.
  • Prior to matriculation applicants will be required to submit a personal/professional goal statement (the statement is used for advisement purposes and does not become part of the academic file).

Course List

Core Course Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

HS6010 - Theory and Scope of Human Services
(3)

(3)

HS6012 - Life Course and Human Development
(3)

(3)

HS6014 - Human Behavior in Context
(3)

(3)

HS6016 - Multiculturalism and Diversity in Practice
(3)

(3)

HS6020 - Personal Values and Professional Ethics
(3)

(3)

HS6022 - Research and Writing in Human Services
(3)

(3)

HS6024 - Communication in Human Services
(3)

(3)

HS6510 - The Dynamics of Groups as Systems
(3)

(3)

HS6512 - Policy Advocacy and Social Change
(3)

(3)

HS6530 - Administrative Dimensions of Human Services
(3)

(3)

HS6532 - Program Evaluation
(3)

(3)

HS6534 - Human Services Capstone
(3)

(3)

Core Course Requirements—36 Credit Hours

 


Goal Statement

We use your personal/professional goal statement to help advise you through your academic journey.

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