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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.
Use the code MSFALL to waive the $50 application fee.
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.
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 |
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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 |
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:
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
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.
$565 per credit, $150 resource kit fee, 48 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 10, 2023, and is subject to change. Your price will vary depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. Books, supplies, and other fees are not included in this estimate. GuidedPath prices show the tuition you would pay if you brought in an average number of transfer credits or the maximum allowed transfer credits. New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs.
Capella is committed to transparency in its tuition and pricing. In addition to tuition, you will be responsible for additional costs, which may include an application fee, travel expenses, and practicum costs. A resource kit fee of $50-$200, charged quarterly or per billing session, covers the cost of required books, software, and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
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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.
Capella University's Master of Human Services program is accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education.
Applicants to the MSHS in Social and Community Services program must provide the following information for admission:
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:
Learn more about international student admissions.
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.
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
In the diverse field of human services, finding the right degree depends on your unique goals and interests.
Finding a career mentor can really help as you develop your professional skills and move up the ladder.
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
Employment settings to explore