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College of Psychology and Community Services:
MS in Human Services

Human services professionals make a positive difference every day. A commitment to improving the quality of life for others benefits the entire community. Walden’s MS in Human Services program helps students make an even greater impact by preparing them with the skills they need to become effective leaders in fostering social change. Students in this online master’s degree program focus on expanding their understanding of the delivery, accessibility, accountability, and coordination of agency services.

By earning their MS in Human Services degree at Walden, students broaden their knowledge as human services professionals and advance their understanding of human services theory, research, and practice. Students learn strategies to address the ethical and social justice issues that are impacting the effective delivery of human services throughout the world today.

As graduates of the MS in Human Services program, students can work in a variety of roles providing direct services to individuals, families, or communities or providing leadership to agencies and programs.

Note on Licensure

The MS in Human Services program, including its specializations, is not designed to lead to professional licensure, including, but not limited to, licensure as a professional therapist, counselor, social worker, or psychologist.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates in the MS in Human Services program will be prepared to:

  1. Demonstrate the skills necessary to advocate for a variety of individuals and groups in order to promote social change.
  2. Evaluate human services related scenarios in order to determine appropriate needs and solutions.
  3. Communicate effectively with diverse groups of individuals.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the human services profession in relation to its impact on the practice of human services.
  5. Analyze the appropriateness of human services practice for diverse individuals and groups.
  6. Advocate for the needs of diverse populations in order to promote positive social change.
  7. Develop a professional identity as a human service professional practitioner.

Degree Requirements

  • 48–53 total quarter credits depending on specialization
  • Foundation course (3 credits)
  • Core courses (25 credits)
  • Elective/specialization courses (15–20 credits)
  • Capstone (5 credits)

Core Curriculum

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core Courses (25 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Elective/Specialization Courses (15–20 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page. Choose elective courses (5 credits each) from any MS in Human Services specialization.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

Course Sequence

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1
HUMN 6000 - Foundation of Graduate Study in Human Services
 3 credits
HUMN 6160 - The Advanced Human Services Professional Practitioner in a Changing World
 5 credits
Quarter 2
HUMN 6161 - Assessment and Motivational Interviewing
 5 credits
HUMN 6162 - Cultural Humility and Diversity
 5 credits 
Quarter 3
HUMN 6480 - Evidence-Based Evaluation Methods
 5 credits
HUMN 6XXX Elective or Specialization Course 5 credits
Quarter 4
HUMN 6207 - Grant Writing
 5 credits
Elective or Specialization Course 5 credits
Quarter 5–6 Elective or Specialization Course* 5 credits
HUMN 6660 - Social Change, Leadership, and Advocacy for Human Services Professional Practitioners
 5 credits

*All specialization courses should be taken before HUMN 6660.