Serve, Manage, and Lead with a Human Services Master’s Degree

Antioch’s Master’s degree in Human Services Administration (MHSA) prepares service-minded practitioners who seek the skills and knowledge to lead in organizations where they can help have a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether you want to advance your current career or pursue a role as an executive director, grant writer, or program manager, our master’s degree program could help you meet your educational goals.

Social service agencies, like many other institutions, are experiencing a shortage of qualified leaders as existing staff retire. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

This degree is offered by AU Online.

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Degree Program Overview

Classes offered within the MHSA program challenge and prepare leaders to think creatively. Students learn human resources development, agency funding strategies, how to manage diverse populations of employees and clients, and how to improve and expand quality of service in a variety of fields from social service organizations to nonprofits to human resources. This program incorporates a blend of management studies and human development courses to help you effectively lead, manage, and meaningfully interact with others in your organization and community.

Our MHSA program is designed for busy adults.
The program follows a schedule of two 7-week class sessions per semester. Take three to four credits each session, and complete your degree in five semesters (20 months) of full-time study. This program does not require a GMAT or GRE.

All human services related classes include work-based applications designed to deepen your knowledge, share professional experience, and culminate with a practical Change Project meant to address a real-world problem.

Online MHSA Degree Requirements

Program Length:

This 36-semester credit program can be completed in five (5) consecutive semesters (20 months) of full-time study.  Each semester is two 7-week class sessions of three to four semester credits.

Recommended Course Sequence*:

Year One

Semester 1 – Session A:

• Human Services and Systems
• Marketing and Communication

Semester 1 – Session B:

• Financial Analysis
• Human Resources Management

Semester 2 – Session A:

• Risk Management
• Governance and Board Relations
• Digital Communication

Semester 2 – Session B:

• Human Capital Management
• Analytical Driven Decision Making

Semester 3 – Session A:

• Ethical Issues in Management
• Public Policy and Advocacy

Semester 3 – Session B:

• Program Planning and Evaluation

Year Two

Semester 4 – Session A:

• Community Collaborations and Partnerships
• Building High-Performance Teams

Semester 4 – Session B:

• Leadership and Change
• Personal and Professional Accountability

Semester 5 – Session A:

• Strategic Management
• Change Project I

Semester 5 – Session B:

• Change Project II
• Resource Development Strategies

* Courses and sequence are subject to change

Career Outlook

The online Master of Human Services Administration (MHSA) from Antioch University Online prepares practitioners to be effective leaders and managers in the rewarding field of social services. Professionals with a Master’s degree in Human Services Administration may pursue various leadership positions with social service agencies, such as:

• Executive Director
• Social Services Administrator
• Grant Writer
• Director of Community Service
• Program Director
• Case Specialist