Community Services, M.S. (Minimum of 30 Credits is required for this degree.)

The Master of Science Degree in Community Services addresses the needs of families in the context of communities. This applied degree program prepares the Community Services graduate to understand and play an effective role in community institutions providing human services for families and their members across the life course. Research and internship experiences involve community agencies as field laboratories for students. Programs may be planned to provide a broad overview or to focus upon specific issues such as aging or family health.

Major Objectives of the Community Services Master's Program

1. Provide a strong foundation for community research related to human service delivery.

2. Prepare professionals for positions of leadership in community agencies and organizations that provide human services to diverse families in changing environments.

Persons lacking background in the social sciences may be required to take collateral courses in addition to their formal program.

General Competencies Expected with Completion of Master’s Degree in Community Services

1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of diverse families, including theoretical approaches to the study of families.

2. Demonstrate basic knowledge of human development. This may include a broad life course approach or focus on any one stage such as early childhood or late adulthood.

3. Articulate and demonstrate frameworks for community program development and implementation.

4. Develop grants as well as plan and implement community program evaluation research.

5. Demonstrate awareness of current public policy related to families and communities and implications for family/community programming and advocacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan A - Thesis or Plan B - Internship

For a complete description of courses, please visit the Michigan State University Description of Courses web site.