Offering Campuses
Argosy University, Atlanta; Argosy University, Dallas; Argosy University, Denver; Argosy University, Hawai’i; Argosy University, Inland Empire; Argosy University, Los Angeles; Argosy University, Nashville; Argosy University, Orange County; Argosy University, Phoenix; Argosy University, Salt Lake City; Argosy University, San Diego; Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area; Argosy University, Sarasota; Argosy University, Seattle; Argosy University, Tampa; Argosy University, Twin Cities; Argosy University, Washington DC
Program Overview
The Master of Science (MS) in Human Services degree program 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. This degree program is intended for individuals with experience in the human services field. Students will have an opportunity to apply relevant academic theory to practice through a competency-based curriculum. The MS in 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.
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.
Admission 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 Behavioral 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.
- Application fee (non-refundable, except in Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.).
- 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).
Prerequisite Experience
The MS in Human Services degree program is intended for individuals with experience in the human services field. Students need one year of current or past work/voluntary experience in related areas or employment with companies or organizations in which they are interacting with people who are coming to them for services. These services could be in traditional human service roles, such as mental health centers and substance abuse centers, or they could involve employment in service-related industries, such as human resources, marketing, and sales.
Applications to Multiple Campuses
Applicants who are undecided with respect to the location they wish to attend should submit an application and full set of application materials to their location of first choice. Applicants who are accepted into their location of first choice and who, prior to beginning the program, determine they want to complete the same program at a different location, should notify the initial location of record of that intent. Provided that the same program is available, all previous approvals and credit hours accepted will remain in force. If an individual requests to change programs, he or she will need to meet all admission requirements of the new program.
Graduation Requirements
Students enrolled in the MS in Human Services degree program are eligible for graduation when the following requirements are met:
- Satisfactory completion of 36 credit hours in the program of study
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a scale of 4.0) and a grade of B- or better in all required courses
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
Program Requirements
Students enrolled in the MS in Human Services degree program are required to successfully complete twelve core courses (36 credit hours).
