Master of Human Services

Graduates of the Master of Human Services program will be knowledgeable in the Human Services discipline. The hallmark of graduates of the Master of Human Services is their capacity for critical and ethical reflective practices on issues of social barriers, inequalities, injustice, vulnerability and human rights at both the individual level and the systemic level. To achieve this, graduates of the Master of Human Services will have advanced knowledge of contemporary theory, policy and practice with a focus on the political, social, cultural, legal, economic and global features of human service delivery. Graduates of the Master of Human Services program will gain extended professional and interdisciplinary evidence-based research skills and knowledge grounded in a range of theoretical, legislative, policy and practice perspectives for work in human service fields including children, families, young people, older people, people with disability, communities and human service organisations. Particular fields of study include social, behavioural and political sciences, sociology, psychology, community development, and organisational leadership management and change. 

Within a flexible online learning environment you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to be an effective human services professional. Human service professionals are concerned with improving the social, economic, personal and communal well-being of people. They seek to promote social inclusion and achieve equity, social justice, interdependence and human rights of people who are adversely affected by social and economic factors.

You will study with fellow students from different professional backgrounds, which will help you to learn and understand how different professions can contribute to improving the quality of people's lives. This program will suit you if you are wanting to be an agent for change and are looking for specialist human services training.

You will explore contemporary issues, and learn about the latest theory and practice that can be applied to a broad range of human service settings, including government and non-government, welfare organisations and community groups. You will access highly relevant courses based on the latest evidence-based research and build upon your existing knowledge base for working with children, families, young people, older people, communities and human service organisations.

Eligible students may choose to complete a research dissertation on your area of interest in human services. This will provide you with the knowledge and skills for conducting independent research projects and the research experience necessary for those who wish to pursue a PhD or Master of Philosophy.

It is anticipated that successful graduates of the Master of Human Services will enhance their opportunities for advancement in the human services field.

Recommended study pattern

The Master of Human Services will be offered full-time and part-time via off-campus mode only.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Human Service : Knowledge and Practice
• First Peoples and Social Justice (Advanced)
• Foundations of Research Inquiry
• Applied Counselling

Plus there’s a selection of majors and electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Human Services (MHuServ), you must successfully

Complete 120 credit points for one of the following:

• 120 credit points for all Pathway 1 - duration 1 year (80CP of study and 40CP for prior learning), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 2 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - related degree or any degree and work experience), or
• 120 credit points for all Pathway 3 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study - any degree)

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 4206 - Graduate Diploma of Human Services award, you must successfully complete 80 credit points from this program. 

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer. 

Notes:

If you exit with 4206 - Graduate Diploma of Human Services, you will not be eligible for re-admission to complete 5604 - Master of Human Services.

The Graduate Diploma exit point is not available if you were admitted to Pathway 1 of 5604 - Master of Human Services.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $24,000

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

Explore Griffith courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Human Services, an applicant must have:

Pathway 1

1 year program (80CP) - related Bachelor degree AND relevant work experience:  

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; AND a minimum 2 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience; OR
• A related* Graduate Certificate with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale. 

Pathway 2

1.5 year program (120CP) - related Bachelor degree OR any Bachelor degree AND relevant work experience:

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a *related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale; OR
• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale AND have a minimum 2 years full-time (or equivalent) relevant ^professional experience.

Pathway 3

1.5 year program (120CP) - any Bachelor degree:  

• A recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline with a minimum grade point average of 4.0 using a 7.0 scale.

* Related discipline:

Social or Behavioural Sciences, Disability Services/Support, Rehabilitation, Family Support, Mental Health Support, Community Development/Welfare, Youth Work, Aged Care or Related Human Services fields, First Peoples Welfare and Support Services, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Education, Criminology, Arts, Public Health, Health Science. 

^ Professional experience:

Community Services, Disability Services/Support, Rehabilitation, Family Support, Mental Health Support, Community Development/Welfare, Youth Work, Aged Care or Related Human Services fields, First Peoples Welfare and Support Services, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Education, Criminology; or

Any recognised AHPRA Health Professions (www.ahpra.gov.au) and allied health professions - see the full list of allied health professionals here - https://ahpa.com.au/allied-health-professions

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies

There are placements associated with this program and before undertaking professional experience placements, all students in this program are required to have completed the following by the end of their first trimester of study:

• Vaccinations and Health Tests
• Licenses and Certificates
• Online Training
• Health Placement Requirements

Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Health Placement Support Hub for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.