The Master of Arts degree in human services (HMS) is designed to provide advanced professional education for students who have an undergraduate education in human services or who have completed specific prerequisite courses to prepare them for study in the field. It is a multidisciplinary degree that prepares students to become competent as human services professionals for multiple roles and settings. The degree contains core courses that teach skills and concepts needed by all human services professionals and integrates content from several academic concentrations to allow students to develop specific expertise.
The concentrations are:
Within some concentrations, students are able to obtain certification; within others, students may prepare for licensure. Courses teach students to design, assess, treat, plan for, advocate for, counsel with, manage, and collaborate with individuals, groups, or agencies needing and using human services.
In addition to completing the UIS application for graduate study, applicants are expected to complete the program application (available below) which includes a goals essay, submit two references using the reference form available below, and arrange for an interview.
Submit supplementary application materials (supplementary program application, goals essay, and two references) to:
Human Services MA Admissions Committee - BRK 338
University of Illinois at Springfield
One University Plaza - BRK 338
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
To be eligible for full admission to the master of arts program in human services applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale and completed courses in lifespan development and research methods.
In addition students wishing to follow the concentration in gerontology must complete an introductory course in gerontology equivalent to HMS 429 Perspectives on Aging, and those entering the child and family studies concentration must complete an introductory course in family studies equivalent to HMS 467 Family Dynamics.
See the Human Services Program website for additional information.