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Social and Community Services
Master of Science in Human Services
Today’s human services manager needs more than inspiration to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders in the community. Organizations depend on your ability to build collaborative partnerships, manage resources, and design services that have social, economic, and cultural impact. An online Master of Science in Human Services, Social and Community Services specialization can equip you with advanced skills to empower communities and help expand your career potential in a dynamic field. You’ll learn from a diverse faculty of scholar-practitioners who have real-world experience and are fluent in the latest research. Leverage your passion and skills to become an effective manager and advocate for social change.
This program is not designed to meet licensure requirements for the social work or counseling professions.
Classes start October 10
Use the code SUMMER to waive the $50 application fee.
At a glance
- 100% online
- 5 Core courses
- 3 Specialization courses
- 3 Elective courses
- 1 Capstone
Reduce your tuition by $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore social and community services courses
- This degree requires a total of 48 program credits
- You’ll need to complete five core courses, three specialization courses, three electives and one capstone
| HMSV5314 |
Program Development and Evaluation in Human Services
In this course, learners examine needs assessment, program development, and program evaluation as fundamental tools in a variety of organizations. In particular, learners use research-based models and best practices to inform program development and evaluation in for-profit, nonprofit, and government settings. Learners also gain the skills they need to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and address ethical implications of various approaches to program development and evaluation. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| HMSV5316 |
The Effective Use of Analytics in Human Services
In this course, learners develop the skills needed to apply the early aspects of the life cycle of human services analytics. Learners examine the various data sources, data models, and algorithms and use basic tools to complete an analysis. Learners also collaborate within teams to evaluate case studies and explore the ways in which stakeholders’ needs are met through data analytics. |
4 quarter credits |
| HMSV5334 |
Diversity and Inclusion in Human Services
This course is a survey of theories, research, and concepts that highlight the importance of race, culture, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity in individual and group experience. Learners consider the effects of gender, social class, religion, and disability on experience and evaluate the role of the human services and educational professional in addressing the multicultural needs of clients and colleagues in the workforce. Learners also examine community cultural competency and practice applying a variety of theoretical approaches and methodologies to real-life scenarios. |
4 quarter credits |
| HMSV5340 |
Leading in For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Government Organizations
This course familiarizes learners with the unique expressions of leadership in for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations. Learners differentiate among the capacities of various types of leaders and stakeholders to ensure continuous leadership and organizational development. |
4 quarter credits |
| HMSV5402 |
Social Change and Public Policy in Human Services
In this course, learners examine the concepts, principles, and stages of public policy development and analysis in the human services field. Learners gain an understanding of the approaches used by policymakers and policy analysts to evaluate the effects of programs and projects on societal problems in for-profit, nonprofit, and government settings. Other course topics include the policy process, agenda setting, advocacy, analysis, political process management, policy implementation, and public policy evaluation feedback based on information gained from the field. |
4 quarter credits |
What you'll learn
This specialization is designed for people who are focused on helping individuals and communities in nonprofit, for-profit, or government settings. It can help you develop the skills you need to manage services, identify trends within communities and organizations, evaluate programs to meet identified needs, and advocate for diverse stakeholders. The curriculum prepares you to pursue leadership roles in a variety of professional and community settings. This specialization is not designed to meet licensure requirements for counseling or social work professions.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Apply interdisciplinary knowledge about human needs and the social, economic, and cultural impacts to help solve issues in for-profit, nonprofit, and government settings
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders in the community to coordinate and manage direct service programs to best meet client needs
- Promote empowerment, community engagement, advocacy and collaboration in for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations
- Employ human services management skills to conceptualize problems, contribute in collaborative settings and communicate recommendations regarding direct care, resource management, and service delivery
- Apply professional ethics and cultural competence in the human services profession
- Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
How much does the MS in Human Services cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$19,980–$26,085*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS
$555 per credit, 48 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2020–2021
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
What are the MS in Human Services admission requirements?
Applicants to the MSHS in Social and Community Services program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
What can you do with an MS in Human Services degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MSHS in Social and Community Services.
Job titles to explore
- Social services manager
- Social services director
- Program coordinator
- Program manager
- Program director
- Executive director
- Community outreach manager
- Community outreach director
- Adoption services manager
- Director of child welfare services
- Vocational rehabilitation manager
Employment settings to explore
- Individual and family services
- Continuing care retirement facility
- Government—local, state, federal
- Grantmaking/giving service
- Religious organization
- Nonprofit organization
- Private for-profit social service company
- Clinic
- Hospital
- Shelter
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
Choose the Right Degree for Your Human Services Career
In the diverse field of human services, finding the right degree depends on your unique goals and interests.
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Goals are a great way to organize your hopes and ambitions, but attaining them can be harder than setting them.