Degree details

In this degree, you will choose from the following areas of study:

Majors

  • Childhood Studies major
  • Disability Studies major

Streams

  • Generalist Practice stream
  • Dissertation stream

Childhood Studies 
This advanced level program is designed to meet the growing demand for postgraduate qualifications from the early childhood education and care sectors, as well as the disciplines of health, family law, criminal justice, children's services and psychology. The qualification also provides an opportunity for registered teachers to acquire and update their expertise in a dynamic field of study and practice.

Disability Studies
This advanced level program equips graduates to work in a diverse range of services for people with disabilities and their families, and engage in high-level policy, planning and advocacy. Employment involves working on several different levels - with individuals, families, in public and private agencies and community services

You’ll find career opportunities in a diverse range of human service fields as well as the disciplines of health, family law, criminal justice, children's services and psychology.

You’ll be able to advance your career as a leader working with children, families, young people, or older people, in government and non-government welfare organisations, community groups, and human service organisations.

Higher education

Entry into the Master of Human Services program requires students to have completed:

  • an undergraduate (Bachelor) degree 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 from Griffith University or another Bachelor with Honours, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma qualification in human services cognate fields such as social or behavioural science, psychological sciences, social work, community welfare, human services, nursing, education or criminology (successful applicants will be eligible for 40 credit points of advanced standing).

Note: Applicants are not permitted to defer an offer. Should you be unable to accept an offer, you must re-apply for entry in the following year.

English Proficiency Requirements

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 grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
  • 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.

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

Practicum placement

There are placements associated with this degree. 

Griffith University may grant credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:

Recommended Study Pattern

1 to 1.5 years full-time

3 years part-time

Award Requirements

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

Childhood Studies major:

  • gain 110 credit points for prescribed core courses
  • gain 10 credit points from listed electives.

Disability Studies major:

  • gain 100 credit points for prescribed core courses
  • gain 20 credit points from listed electives.

Generalist Practice stream:

  • gain 70 credit points for prescribed core courses
  • gain 40 credit points from listed electives
  • gain 10 credit points for free-choice elective.

Dissertation stream:

  • gain 100 credit points for prescribed core courses including 40 credit points for the research dissertation courses
  • gain 20 credit points from listed electives with at least 10 credit points from Elective List A.