Master of Science [M.S] [Administration of Human Services] From Wilmington University

Courses have been designed in accord with the standards of the Council for Standards in Human Service Education. The core of the program is anchored in the identified disciplines of research, theory, and ethics with a balance of professional practice that gives the program a real world flavor. This core will provide the student with the academic quality and rigor required as a base from which to build, according to individual interests and needs in a specific area of human services. Elective course offerings provide the students with the flexibility to choose from topics that will best prepare them to meet their own goals and aspirations. Faculty provides individual attention which gives each student the opportunity to design a personal plan of study within the program. Courses have been carefully selected and designed in consultation with human services professionals and practitioners to ensure that the most current issues and topics are included in the curriculum. The faculty is carefully recruited from the field to ensure that the class presentations are as current as the events in the profession that day.

Additionally, the program has a built-in flexibility that respects the professional and personal commitments and responsibilities that today?s learners have while pursuing their goal of advanced academic studies. Classes are presented in semester-long, seven-week block, weekend modular, and online offerings to conveniently fit the busy schedules of the students. It is anticipated that students, taking courses year-round, could complete the degree in 12 months at an accelerated rate or in 18 to 24 months following a more traditional schedule. Students will build a personalized schedule in consultation with their individual faculty advisor. The personalized guided practicum or individual capstone project allows the student additional flexibility and choices.

Program Competencies

• Integrate theories, knowledge, skills and values of human services into the operation of human service organizations in a manner that demonstrates flexible thinking.
• Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills.
• Apply decision-making and problem-solving skills as well as critical thinking to the administration of the human services organization.
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the structure and dynamics of teams, organizations and communities in diverse environments in a pluralistic society that reflects respect for our multicultural world.
• Demonstrate the ability to design, implement, evaluate, assess and research the needs of human services communities and organizations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of information management and information technology as it relates to human service delivery systems.
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate the legal and ethical issues that impact and influence human services, and demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues and standards in the field.
• Demonstrate a commitment to self-directedness, self-discipline, and lifelong learning as a scholarly practitioner in human services.
• Demonstrate knowledge of budgeting for grant writing and fundraising as it applies to a non-profit or governmental human services organization.
• Demonstrate knowledge, ability and skills to manage both professional and volunteer staff members in a human services organization.