EIU Master of Science
in Human Services

Dear Prospective Graduate Student:

Do you want to help people? That is a common theme among our current students and graduates in the MS in Human Services (formerly Family and Consumer Sciences). The Master's degree in Human Services is an applied graduate program that focuses on helping and supporting children, adolescents, adults across the lifespan, families and communities. We emphasize teaching, experiential learning, research, and theoretical application to problem-solve in order to support and enrich our diverse, global society.

Our graduates work in non-profit organizations, social service agencies, court advocacy, outreach programs, teaching, or go on to doctoral programs at other institutions. By further developing leadership and administrative skills; optimum written and oral communication skills; and critical and evaluative reasoning, graduate are ready to move forward into higher levels of their chosen field or shift into a new focus.

Courses are available online and face-to-face, creating the option of delivery methods that suits your location, schedule and goals. Students set the pace of completion of the 33-semester-hour program by choosing one, two, three, or four courses per semester.

Apply today and begin your journey in being the next MS in Human Services degree candidate! I look forward to hearing from you if you have questions.

Contact information:

Dr. Kathleen O'Rourke, MS in Human Services Graduate Coordinator

ksorourke@eiu.edu

(217) 581-6076

Program Requirements

The following courses are required:

• HSL 5450 Leadership and Administration in Human Services Programming
• HSL 5460 Current Issues and Trends in Human Services
• HSL 5846 Public Policy and Grant Writing for Human Services Programming
• HSL 5850 Theories of Human Development and Family Life
• HSL 5852 Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
• HSL 5900 Research Methods in Human Services

Fifteen hours of electives are selected in consultation with the Human Services Graduate Coordinator.

The program concludes with a Capstone Experience, completed by selecting one of the following options for a minimum of three and a maximum of six semester hours:

• HSL 5950 Thesis
• HSL 5980 Internship
• HSL 5990 Independent Study

The Master of Science in Human Services requires 33 semester hours of coursework, 3-6 of which are used for the capstone. In many cases the program can be completed in one year of full time enrollment

MS in Human Services Online Program

While you still have the option of completing the program in the face-to-face or hybrid formats, you can now complete the program entirely online with no campus visit requirements. This format allows for convenience and flexibility to complete the program at times and locations that fit your schedule. Make an appointment to talk about your options today!

Graduate Assistantships

The Human Services Program is pleased to offer graduate assistantships to competitive applicants. Graduate assistantship offers are made during the fall or spring semester along with offers of admission to the Human Services Program. 

• CONTACT INFO: Please contact Dr. Kathleen O'Rourke, Coordinator of the Human Services Program, via email kaorourke@eiu.edu with questions. 
• QUALIFICATIONS: Students accepted into the Human Services Program are eligible for a Graduate Assistantship within the Department. 
• TIMELINE: Graduate students interested in a GA position should complete the GA Application as a part of their application to the Human Services Program (applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year until positions are filled).