MHSA in Human Services Administration

This course examines the organization through which social welfare and social services are delivered. Using systems theory perspective, students will develop a more nuanced perspective on the structure and functioning of complex social service organizations. Topics will include the history of social service agencies, adapting to changes in the social environments, how to grow and develop services, and how to navigate socio-political relationships.

Human Resource Management deals with a wide range of activities by which organizations (both profit and nonprofit) acquire, maintain, and utilize their workforces.  Adopting the perspective of a general manager, students will examine a number of key human resource “levers” or processes contributing to the development of an effective work system, including investing in people (training and development), measurement and incentives (compensation), and tapping potential employees (recruitment and selection) to better understand the complexities of managing people in organizations.

This course explores marketing and communication strategies as an essential business component within an organization. Students will develop both an intellectual and hands-on understanding and appreciation of essential marketing and communication concepts, and how those concepts can be applied to the growth, development, and long-term success of an organization.

Marketing and communication strategies, models, and tactics will be addressed through the lens of branding, the classic “Four Ps” of marketing (Product, Price, Place (distribution), and Promotion), messaging, integrated marketing communication, and tactical application.

This course provides students with a practical understanding of old and new concepts, techniques and theories of nonprofit/human service organization resource development. Students will think creatively about resource generation and learn how to build a story to express organizational need. The course includes a substantive section on the preparation of an effective grant application and exploration of frequent issues like knowing one’s capacity to “get the job done” or creating and implementing outcomes and ensuring realistic expectations and infrastructure for implementation success. The course concludes by highlighting the power in developing non-monetary resources through collaborative partners and building coalitions in order to be more successful systems of financial independence.

This course explores the role of ethics in organizational management and the inherent dilemmas facing leaders in private, public or nonprofit organizations. Students will examine various strategies, approaches and models of reasoning about ethical issues and how explore how personal values and positional power impact decision-making.  

This course focuses on the practical application of financial statement analysis and the use of financial information.  Students will explore financial definitions, concepts and structure of financial accounting, standard financial statements, and basic tools for interpreting financial information.  Ultimately, students will develop confidence in reading and interpreting the financial position of an organization and use financial statements, along with knowledge of an industry and information about the marketplace, to make informed business decisions. 

As the environment for nonprofits continues to change, the demand for measured and innovative nonprofit leadership and governance is at a premium. In this course, students explore the unique aspects of nonprofit board governance with a primary focus on roles and responsibilities of the board, executive leadership, staff, and volunteers; how governing boards function; and elements that contribute to the overall organizational effectiveness and mission achievement. 

This course introduces students to the purposes of and strategies for program planning in nonprofit organizations. The primary focus of the class is building the knowledge and skills required of program professionals. Students explore and examine theories, concepts, approaches, and processes fundamental to program planning and evaluation. Using research, reflection and practical application, students will explore the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs that aim to effect change and build capacity of individuals, families, and communities.

Skillful leaders foster workplace culture, practices, and relationships that support learning, satisfaction, and strong performance among employees. Employees, in turn commit their knowledge, skills, and energy to the organization’s success. Through the interdisciplinary lens of human resource development, students explore the value and benefits of developing people and performance in diverse and inclusive work environments. Theories related to training, organizational development, performance improvement and systems create the landscape for students to explore the practical aspects of organizational culture and systems that support the development and well-being of employees and organizational stability. 

This course introduces qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches to research in an interdisciplinary context. It examines methodological assumptions of those approaches and fundamental issues in designing a research study. Students think critically about how to use various methods to investigate information and phenomena of interest to create new knowledge for professional and academic purposes. Students identify a manageable research question that is consistent with their educational and professional goals, choose a methodology, plan the research and submit a research proposal.

Every organization must successfully address opportunity, challenge, and change — or wither. Usually, there is no shortage of ideas and passionate perspectives. How does an organization adapt and evolve, develop forward-looking futures for itself, and decide its best course of action? Strategy, innovation, and resilience constitute the “how,” and are the bedrock of a vibrant, sustainable organization.

Students will study current and emerging theories of organizational strategy, innovation, and resilience. Drawing on content from this and previous courses, students will apply, evaluate, and develop approaches to leading effective strategic thinking and execution, and in fostering innovation and resilience — including the integration of environmental, human, and financial sustainability in businesses and NGOs. Readings and resources will lean strongly toward what working practitioners require and find most useful in their work.

Prerequisite RSH 5200 or equivalent research course 

The Capstone Project course is the culminating experience of the program study. The Capstone Project will consist of an independent research study and/or a professional action project that is consistent with the research proposal created in RSH 5200 Research Methods course.  

A suitable capstone project involves both secondary (library) and primary (field) research on a topic pertinent to the field of management, leadership and human services.  Students engage in the process of planning, collecting, analyzing and presenting data. As a result, students move from consumer to creator of new knowledge. The culminating product is a written report of the investigation and a presentation to the course professor and peers.