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Monash University: University handbooks: Postgraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Master of Human Services Management

Course code: 3790 + Course abbreviation: MHSM + Total credit points required: 72 + 3 years part-time

Study mode and course location

Off-campus (Gippsland)

Course description

This course is designed to meet the needs of professionals in the social, community and human services sectors who have moved, or who wish to move, from direct practice into a managerial role. The program offers three postgraduate qualifications, with entry points at faculty certificate, graduate diploma and masters levels, and exit points at faculty/graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters levels. The entire masters program encompasses a sequence of 72 points of part-time study through flexible delivery incorporating print and online teaching and learning. The course is offered within Australia and internationally.

The curriculum includes program planning and evaluation, management and leadership, strategic planning, development of quality standards and best practice models, human resource management, problem-solving and organisational culture and environment analysis. The course offers a unique focus on exploring the role, function and responsibilities of the human service organisation in rural, regional and urban environments. The course content is designed to allow students, whether local or in international agencies, to adapt topics and assignments to their own experience and professional context.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold (a) a bachelors degree with at least a minimum credit average in the final year, or (b) a graduate diploma with a minimum credit average, or (c) a bachelors pass degree with demonstrable professional experience (a minimum of two years) at management level (for example program coordinator, team leader, house supervisor) in a relevant area. Applications in the latter category will need to supply a CV, a 1000-word statement and the names of two professional referees. Students with significant relevant experience (for example five years of practice as a program manager, director of a human service organisation) without a graduate qualification may apply for entry into the Faculty Certificate in Human Services Management. Upon successful completion with a credit average, they may apply for entry into the Graduate Diploma in Human Services Management. On completion of the Graduate Diploma with a credit average, students may apply for entry to the Master of Human Services Management.

Course structure

Students complete a total of 72 points, comprising a maximum of 48 points at level 4 and minimum of 24 points at level 5. Students will normally complete one 12-point unit per semester by off-campus learning. All units, except where indicated, are 12 points.

Level 4

Core units
  • HSM4301 Program planning and evaluation in the human services
  • HSM4302 Management and leadership in the human services
  • HSM4303 Human services management: structure and context, or
    HSM4304 Human services management: principles and process
Electives

Students may complete up to 36 points from the following:

  • HSM4305 Research methods for the human services* (12 points)
  • SCW4309 Rethinking received ideas in social welfare (12 points)
  • SCW4310 Building practice wisdom in social welfare (12 points)
  • HPL4521 Mechanisms for international governance (12 points)
  • HPL4503 International relations (12 points)
  • SCY4801 Theory and practice in sociology (12 points)
  • SCY4802 Contemporary sociological issues (12 points)

Note that prerequisites are required for some of the above electives.

A maximum of 12 points may be taken outside the Faculty of Arts as approved by the course coordinator.

Level 5

Students must complete a minimum of 24 points at level 5 from the following:

  • HSM5305 Research methods for the human services
  • HSM5301 Human services research practicum
  • HSM5303 Human services management: structure and context
  • HSM5304 Human services management: principles and process
  • HSM5302 Human services research practicum (24-point option)*

    * Students intending to undertake HSM5302 (Human services research practicum) (24 points) will require approval from the course coordinator and will be required to complete HSM4305 at fourth level and achieve a distinction grade.

A maximum of further 12 points may be taken at level 5, in the Master of Social Work off-campus coursework program , as approved by the course coordinator.

The option of full-time enrolment will not be available for the first three years of the course. This will be reviewed in 2007.

Exit points

Students may be offered an exit award of a Faculty Certificate in Human Services Management after completion of 24 points, or a Graduate Diploma in Human Services Management after successful completion of 48 points.

Contact details

Course coordinator

Karen Crinall

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