Master of Arts in Human Services

This course provides a systematic review of the wide range of cultures and individual differences and the ways in which cultural mores, ethnocentrism, and factors such as matters of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, customs and cultures impact behavior of the individual themselves and of those around them. Through this course, students will better understand themselves and others, in terms of perceptions and behaviors.

This course surveys the major theoretical perspectives on life span development from conception through late adulthood. Developmental processes related to physical, cognitive, moral, and emotional functions are reviewed as well as societal and cultural aspects of development.

This course studies the ethical and legal issues confronting practicing professionals. Topics related to ethics, standards of practice, and professional conduct are explored. Students learn principles of ethical decision-making, standards of care specified by state and federal laws, and the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) code of ethics. Emphasis is placed on the exploration of the emotional impact that major ethical and legal dilemmas have on decision-making. Students will also be prepared for their graduate journey through readiness and preparatory activities.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the broad field of human services, the types of disciplines represented in the field, the general nature and scope of services provided by the disciplines, the similarities in services provided, and the differences among the disciplines. A major emphasis will be on the ways in which human services professionals can effectively and efficiently interact to enhance service delivery and maximize the use of valuable resources.

This course provides students with a broad overview of the laws and regulations that govern delivery of services in the various human services disciplines. Cross-disciplinary regulations, policy development and review in agencies, and methods to impact policy /regulation development and revision at the state and national level are areas of emphasis.

This course will explore group theories and groups as human systems. Students will study how large and small groups are utilized in human service organizations. The students will also gain an understanding of group dynamics and functionality for the application of research and theory relating to large and small groups and human social systems for the enhancement of service delivery. The emphasis is on integrating theory and concepts from the behavioral and social sciences as a basis for understanding group systems theory and human behavior within human services and society.

This course presents the concepts of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs and methods, as well as issues involved in the ethical conduct of research. Students will be challenged to select appropriate research designs and methodologies for various research questions. The course will culminate in a detailed research proposal on topics chosen by the students.

This course provides the opportunity for students planning careers in human service agencies to apply knowledge and skills obtained throughout the program in a practical way. Students may opt for projects in new program/service delivery design, program evaluation, or grant writing by utilizing quantitative or qualitative research on an issue in human service delivery, or other appropriate areas, approved by the instructor. HUM 5100 is intended to be a capstone course in the student's program. Prerequisite: completion of all required coursework. (This course may not be transferred in.)