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. 

Tap into your strengths in the field of social and community services, where evidence-based practice meets advocacy, policy and frontline support. With flexible online study designed for working professionals, the Master of Human Services will prepare you to drive meaningful change across government and non-government sectors.

Highlights of studying the Master of Human Services

• Build advanced skills in counselling, advocacy and leadership to support individuals, families and communities.
• Develop a strong understanding of Australian law, social policy and the systems that influence human services delivery.
• Strengthen your practice through contemporary research in mental health, disability inclusion and child and family wellbeing.
• Learn alongside professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Undertake a research dissertation to deepen your expertise and prepare for a PhD or Master of Philosophy.
• Designed for graduates and practitioners seeking career progression, this degree offers credit for recognised prior learning or professional experience for eligible students, so you could gain a masters qualification in as little as 1 year of full-time study.

Advance your impact

Whether you aim to move into senior practice, management or research, you'll gain the skills to respond to complex social, economic and cultural challenges affecting children, young people, older adults and communities. You'll explore development, consumer and carer engagement in mental health, disability rights and inclusion, and contemporary issues in child and family services. Through applied counselling training you'll build practical skills grounded in ethics and cultural responsiveness.

Influence policy and lead reform

Learn how to navigate and influence the Australian legal and policy landscape. Examine how social policies are developed, learn strategies for effective advocacy and build leadership capability to establish and improve programs that promote equity, human rights and social justice. You'll study real scenarios so you can critically analyse systems, engage communities and lead reform.

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 $27,000

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 University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

You can complete this program in 1 year or 1.5 years depending on your prior study and work experience

To be eligible for this program, you must meet one of the following criteria:  

1 year duration (80CP) 

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline and two years relevant work experience
• a Graduate Certificate in Human Services (3272) (or equivalent)

1.5 year duration (120CP) - flexible entry

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline
• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) and two years relevant work experience

1.5 year duration (120CP) - foundation entry

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)

Related discipline includes 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.

Relevant work experience includes 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 recognized AHPRA Health Professions (www.ahpra.gov.au) and allied health professions. See the full list of allied health professionals here: 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 an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• 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 Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

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

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

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.