Human Services
Program Mission: The Master of Science in Human Services graduate program prepares students through teaching and experiential learning, research, and theoretical application to improve our diverse global society. Students will acquire specialized expertise, competencies, and skills for leadership positions and to advance their new or existing careers and work with individuals, families, and communities.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see "Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs"). Additional application requirements include an essay describing academic/career goals and a self-assessment of strengths and areas of growth, a resume', and two academic or professional reference letters. Applications are accepted year-round and admitted students may begin the program during any semester with full- or part-time status.
Program Format: The program can be completed online or in a hybrid (combination of online and face-to-face) format. All required and elective courses are offered regularly. For fully online students, there are no on-campus or residency requirements.
Credit for Prior Learning: Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) provides graduate students in specific programs an opportunity to gain course credit by utilizing their professional work experience and acquired knowledge. Through submitting a portfolio, students' applicable workplace experiences are reviewed to determine if the content and rigor of coursework have been met. Up to 9 credit hours may be earned and applied toward the M.S. in Human Services. For more information, see "Credit for Prior Learning" on the EIU Graduate School's website.
Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the Graduate School's certification officer when modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified in the "Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates" section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit; candidates should consult with the graduate coordinator.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include those outlined for the master's degree by the Graduate School (see "Requirements for the Master's Degree").
M.S. in Human Services Total Hours: 33
Core Requirements
Credits: 21
One of the following two courses:
OR,
One of the following three courses:
OR,
OR,
Elective Courses
Select 12 credit hours from the following courses. At least one course (3 of the 12 credit hours) must be selected from 5000-level courses. Additional electives may be considered in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.
Or,
Accelerated Graduate Program
Current EIU undergraduate students can apply for admission to the Accelerated Graduate Program in Human Services. Admission requires that a student has completed a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate or transfer course credits in Human Services and has a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a minimum undergraduate major GPA of 3.75. In addition, applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 hours of Human Services courses.
To apply for the Accelerated Graduate Program in Human Services, applicants must meet the above requirements and submit the application found on the Accelerated Graduate Program: MS Human Services website. Upon acceptance to the program, an Accelerated Program Course Request Form must be submitted to the Graduate School in consultation with the student's undergraduate academic advisor and graduate coordinator.
For more information on the Accelerated Graduate Program in Human Services, contact Alisa Gray, Academic Advisor, at aagray@eiu.edu or 217-581-5310 and refer to "Accelerated Graduate Programs" on the Graduate School's website.
Shared Coursework
Students accepted into the accelerated graduate program may take up to 9 credit hours of the following courses as shared credit. Please note that prerequisites may need to be completed before enrolling in the courses. Permission to take 5000-level graduate courses for accelerated graduate credits can be requested in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator(s), course instructor, and Graduate School Dean. Prior to taking 5000-level courses, students must have completed 90 credit hours and be classified as an EIU senior.
Or,
Information sourced from the 2025-2026 EIU Graduate Catalog.