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.

You will complete one of the following majors:

• Children, Youth and Families
• Disability Practice
• First Peoples Community Practice
• Leadership and Management

Students who do not wish to complete a major may complete courses from any major.

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

To be eligible for the award of Master of Human Services (MHuServ), a student must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:

• 40 credit points for core courses; AND
• 40 credit points for one major OR 40 credit points for any courses in any major; AND
• 40 credit points for elective courses OR 30 credit points for Dissertation courses and 10 credit points for elective courses.

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses.

The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

Exit points

To be eligible to exit the Masters program with the Graduate Diploma of Human Services award, a student must acquire 80 credit points from the Master of Human Services program.

Note: The Graduate Diploma exit point is not available to students admitted to the Masters program with advanced standing. Students who exit with the Graduate Diploma will not be eligible for re-admission to complete the Master of Human Services.

To exit, a student should apply for a program transfer.

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

Indicative total fee $23,250

The amount shown here is 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 Ranking 2024:

18

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

20

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

• an undergraduate Bachelor degree (or higher) in human services cognate fields such as social or behavioural science, psychological sciences, social work, community welfare, human services, nursing, education, criminology;
• OR a Bachelor with Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters qualification in a different discipline area;
• OR the Graduate Certificate in Human Services (3272) or Graduate Certificate in Disability Inclusion (3295) or Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies (3370) or Graduate Certificate in First Peoples Community Practice (3371) from Griffith University - applicants will be eligible for 40 credit points towards the requirements of the Master of Human Services (5604).

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