Master of Human Services
Postgraduate | GRF-MHS-MAS | 2022
Course information for 2022 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Choose a degree that will help you make a difference
Put your passion for people into action when you work for social change and specialise in human services. Choose from a generalist or dissertation stream. Get set for a rich career in health, family law, criminal justice, or children's services.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 12
- Price from
- $33,750
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Human Services
About this degree
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
- Generalist Practice
- First Peoples Community Practice
- Leadership and Management
You will also choose one of the following pathways:
- Evidence Informed Practice
- Research Dissertation
For students who prefer to primarily focus on increasing their human services practice skills, the Evidence Informed Practice pathway which includes coursework only may be preferred. Students who undertake the Research Dissertation pathway will 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.
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
- Generalist Practice
- First Peoples Community Practice
- Leadership and Management
You will also choose one of the following pathways:
- Evidence Informed Practice
- Research Dissertation
For students who prefer to primarily focus on increasing their human services practice skills, the Evidence Informed Practice pathway which includes coursework only may be preferred. Students who undertake the Research Dissertation pathway will 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.
Award requirements
To be eligible for the award of Master of Human Services (MHuServ), a student must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 20 credit points for foundation core courses;
- gain 20 credit points for foundation elective courses;
- gain 50 credit points for major courses;
- gain 30 credit points for Evidence Informed Practice pathway OR 30 credit points for Research Dissertation pathway.
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.
Degree structure:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/study/degrees/master-of-human-services-5604#degree-details
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.
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
How to apply
Griffith University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Griffith University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
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.
Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.
Griffith University grants 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:
Study method requirements
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 TestsLicenses and CertificatesOnline TrainingHealth Placement Requirements
Students should refer to the checklist of professional practice requirements for their Health discipline on the Fit for Professional Practice website for full details of the requirements regarding professional placement to ensure that they meet eligibility for placement.
Career opportunities
This program prepares graduates for practice in a diverse range of human service fields including working with individuals, groups and families, community work, research, planning and policy development.
There are career opportunities for human service professionals in government and non-government settings including NDIS, health, family law, criminal justice and children's services.
Career outlook
- Aged and Disabled Carers:
- $60K to $74K
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $120K
- Social Workers:
- $75K to $93K
- Welfare Support Workers:
- $75K to $93K
- Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers:
- $75K to $93K