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CPCS
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The Master of Science Program in Human Services
We are now accepting applications for Fall 2008! Click here for application procedures and answers to frequently asked questions. The MS in Human Services Program: An Overview The Program The Master of Science in Human Services (MSHS) Program offers a curriculum designed for professionals who aspire to become leaders in the human services field. The goal of the program is to prepare outstanding human services managers, program developers, and planners. Our graduates are practitioners who understand the core values that guide practice, and who have the technical knowledge and skills needed for human services management, program planning and evaluation. The program offers two areas of concentration: Planning and Management. The MSHS curriculum is competency-based, an outcomes based process of learning that has been practiced at the College of Public and Community Service for over 30 years. Each competency in the curriculum is defined by a statement outlining the specific learning outcomes students are expected to demonstrate as well as the measures by which each student’s accomplishments and learning will be evaluated. Competencies are achieved through course work, independent study, and utilization of prior learning experiences. Prior learning includes using acquired skills to demonstrate competence by placing this experience within a broader theoretical framework. Students receive a grade for the competencies they complete. What Our Graduates DoMSHS students are in-service career professionals employed in various areas of human services throughout Boston. They provide direct, advocacy, administrative or planning services within social agencies. Graduates typically combine their own experience and the skills they acquire in this program to move into leadership roles within their agencies or to seek career advancement elsewhere. An increasing number of our students use the knowledge and skills acquired in the MSHS program to create their own businesses as private providers of public services; others pursue doctoral study in social welfare, social work, social policy, or public policy. Degree RequirementsThe MS in Human Services requires the successful completion of 13 competencies including a capstone experience. Building on the intellectual and professional traditions of public administration, social planning and social work, the curriculum includes:
Facilities and Resources MSHS students have access to a wide range of community based non-profit agencies that provide a variety of service-based research opportunities. Students also have opportunities to make professional contacts and to explore new areas for career advancement. The program sponsors professional development workshops, which enable human services professionals to stay abreast of the newest technology in the field. Activities and Affiliations Program faculty are involved in a wide range of applied research activities and consult with many state agencies and nonprofit organizations. Members of the faculty represent all areas of the curriculum, including Human Services, Community Studies, Criminal Justice, Latino Studies, Legal Education, and others. Some are also core faculty members in the PhD Program in Public Policy at the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies and are research associates in the University’s Institutes and Centers, such as the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy, the Center for Social Policy and the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy. The diversity of faculty interests makes it possible for students to participate in projects that best suit their interests and professional goals. Assistantships A number of part-time graduate assistantships are awarded to second year students, based on ability and financial need. Each student awarded an assistantship may receive a partial tuition waiver and a small stipend. Organization of the MSHS Curriculum The MSHS curriculum is organized into four components that integrate the values of human services and the fundamentals of management and planning into a coherent program of study. These four components are:
The Human Services Core. The Human Services core examines the context, core values and fundamental skills and knowledge required of all human service professionals. The context of human services component examines the interplay between the professional, institutional, legal and political elements of the human services environment, and how this interplay impacts practice. The core values component examines the principles of the human services profession which value the uniqueness of every person and acknowledge the creative potential of all human beings. The value tensions, value choices and ethical decision-making strategies that guide professional practice are explored. The core skills component examines the proficiencies that are essential for the effective management and planning of human services. This component emphasizes the development of communication, analytic and information technology skills. The development of core skills is not limited to the core competencies, but is practiced throughout the curriculum. The Fundamentals of Management. This curriculum component addresses the basic knowledge and skills required to effectively manage people, finances and information systems The specific objectives of this component are to develop proficiency in fiscal management, human resources management, strategic planning, data collection, information system management and performance monitoring and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on result-oriented, strategic methods for managing human services organizations. The Fundamentals of Planning. This curriculum component develops skills and knowledge in planning human services at the community level Emphasis is placed on participatory planning strategies that improve human services programming, and on developing the interpersonal skills required to work with diverse constituencies representing conflicting interests. Electives. Elective courses provide a range of knowledge and skills that enhance the core curriculum. Students may choose to take elective competencies in human services, or in Graduate Programs in Dispute Resolution at CPCS, or in other appropriate masters’ programs across the university. The Capstone. This component is designed to integrate the content of the human services core with the fundamentals of management or planning to develop a human services agency-based project. The capstone project is the final project focused on policy analysis and program improvement. Curriculum Outline Required Human Services Core (6 competencies) HMS-G 601 Human Services Policy* HMS-G 602 Ethical Issues in Human Services* HMS-G 603 Race, Culture and Ethnicity in Human Services* HMS-G 606 Research Methods* HMS-G 628 Legal Issues in Human Services* HMS-G 634 Information Technology for Management and Planning*
Total competencies = 13, Total credits equivalent = 39 *Asterisk indicates a competency that is regularly offered as a class. Note that not all competencies are regularly offered as classes. Students who are interested in demonstrating all of their required competencies thorough coursework have taken a combination of courses from the management and planning tracks.
Further information If you have questions or would like to receive MS in Human Services application materials, please write, e-mail or call: Kelly Ward Mason Tel: 617.287.7421 TTY/TDD: 617.287.6010 On-line application information available at: http://www.umb.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/index.html
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