Human Services Leadership, M.S.

Master of Science in Human Services Leadership

Joanne Durovich, Ph.D., Director, SJC Long Island
 

Program Description

The St. Joseph’s graduate program in human services leadership was designed around two interrelated concepts: the benefits accrued by focusing on developing specific competencies needed for success in the workplace and the importance of relating theoretical knowledge to the real world. Also Available Online.

The program is solidly rooted in a groundbreaking, research-based approach: innovative scholarly investigation into the practices that promote self-leadership and a holistic approach to organizational development in the human services. Students will investigate the following competencies based on the holistic leadership model:

Values Domain

1. Mission Driven
2. Personal Integrity
3. Self Reflection
4. Collaboration
5. Culturally Responsive
6. Boundary Spanning
7. Change Leadership
8. Efficacy Building

Mediator Domain

1. Vision Centric
2. Systems Thinking
3. Talent Development
4. Interpersonal Agility
5. Knowledge Seeking
6. Self Development
7. Self Efficacy
8. Analytical Thinking
9. Strategic Orientation
10. Fiscal Literacy
11. Team Stewardship
12. Technology Embracing

Fulfillment Domain

1. Effective Communication
2. Professionalism
3. Relationship Building
4. Strategic Diplomacy
5. Service Partner Development
6. Advocacy
7. Achievement Orientation
8. Initiative
9. Innovative Thinking
10. Performance Measurement
11. Accountability

Competency Application Project (CAP)

Students in St. Joseph’s graduate program in Human Services Leadership evaluate data from self-assessment and diagnostic instruments to determine their own strengths regarding the above listed competencies and will create an individualized plan to target those competencies they wish to specifically address over the course of the degree. Each course in the program will emphasize a subset of the competencies and the student will then develop a Competency Application Project in each course, addressing those same competencies within the context of his or her actual human services workplace. Integrative in purpose, the project applies knowledge from the course in order to explore the leadership competencies through observation of an actual case setting - the student’s workplace. These project-by-project applications form the basis for an ongoing assessment of the student’s development throughout the degree program.

Mission and Goals

This Masters of Science degree in Human Services Leadership program is designed to produce visionary leaders who will make a profound impact on their organizations and the communities that these organizations serve. The program aims to service the human services professional in an executive level position or the manager who aspires to an executive leadership position in his or her field. In addition to providing a sound epistemological foundation in the history, theory and values of the human services profession, this degree will focus on providing a broader knowledge and skill set aimed at developing the multi-level leadership competencies necessary to set an inspirational vision, develop policy and direct the operations of human services organizations of various sizes in the public and private sector. These competencies will include use of information technology, development of new funding sources, advocacy, coalition building, program evaluation and multiculturalism.

Graduates of the MS in Human Services Leadership Program will be able to:

1. Apply mission-driven, evidence based leadership practices to the development and direction of human services programs from a systems perspective.
2. Serve as active contributors to transdisciplinary approaches for addressing human services issues at the departmental, organizational or community level
3. Demonstrate a proactive approach to developing visionary and innovative human services programs that are collaborative, culturally responsive and otherwise consistent with the history, mission and purpose of the human services profession
4. Model personal leadership practices that are values based, self-reflective, facilitate the efficacy of others and demonstrate personal integrity, a concern for the welfare of others and an appreciation for the role of change in the continuing development of person, group, organization and society
5. Communicate effectively as a staff member, manager, leader, advocate and human services professional.

Admission Requirements

All applicants for admission to the Human Services Leadership Program will possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. In addition, applicants typically will be required to be employed in a full time position and will have substantial work experience involving supervision, program development, specialized training, considerable responsibility and/or independent judgment. Applicants will also be required to complete the necessary undergraduate prerequisites in advance of the specific graduate courses for which they are required.

Admission Procedures

Application Procedures

Candidates must submit:

1. An application accompanied by a non-refundable fee of $25.
2. A current resume, which includes chronological dates of employment and descriptions of responsibilities.
3. *Two completed Letter of Reference forms: one from an academic source and one from a professional source (preferred) or two from professional sources.
4. *Completed Verification of Employment form with verification letter outlining designated duties from current (or previous) employer.

Additional Items Needed for the Admission Decision

1. Please arrange to have official transcripts of all your undergraduate and graduate work sent directly to the Office of Admissions at your first opportunity.

Admission Process

1. Applicants must arrange for an interview with the Enrollment Management Office by calling SJC Brooklyn at 718.940- 5822/5810 or SJC Long Island at 631.687-4521/4522.
2. At the time of the interview, the applicant will be required to complete a written statement of approximately 250 words. The essay should address and provide an example or examples of how clinical/leadership theory acquired at the undergraduate level has been subsequently applied by the applicant to improve his or her professional effectiveness.
3. New York State requires all students born on or after January 1, 1957 to be immunized against measles, mumps and rubella. Proof of immunity must be submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to enrollment. In addition, students must complete a Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination Response Form as required by New York State Public Health Law.

Transfer of Prior Coursework

A maximum of six credits (three credits for a certificate) from another accredited graduate program will be considered for acceptance by St. Joseph’s College provided the following conditions are met:

The course(s) is substantially equivalent to a course in the St. Joseph’s College Human Services Leadership Program. The Chair/Associate Chair will make this determination. An official course description must be provided before a final decision is rendered. A grade of B or better must have been earned within the last five years for the course(s) under consideration. Grades of “P” or Pass are not accepted.

St. Joseph’s College reserves the right to accept credit in a way best calculated to preserve the integrity of its own degree.

Attendance

Students will not be permitted to register for a class after the first class session. If students have registered in advance but have missed the first two class sessions, they will be encouraged to withdraw from the class. The reason for this is the compressed nature of the Human Services Leadership program-scheduling configuration, and the difficulty encountered by students attempting to make up missed work.

Students should understand that if they insist on staying in the class under these circumstances, they accept the responsibility of their decision. They should also understand that it will be difficult for them to make up the missed work, the instructor is under no obligation to help them make up the missed material, and that their final grades may be affected both from the standpoint of material missed and class participation opportunities forfeited.

Change of Program

Students who wish to change their concentration or degree or to add a degree or concentration must submit this intent in writing to the Chair/Associate Chair. Please note students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in order to add a second degree. Students must then meet with an advisor to plan a new program. Change of concentration or degree should be effected before the period of programming for the following term.

Matriculating students applying to a certificate program must complete an Addition of Concentration form.

If a student graduates with a certificate in addition to the degree, the student receives a diploma and a certificate.

Procedures for Incomplete Coursework

The following procedures regarding incomplete coursework will be strictly enforced. An extension of time to complete coursework will be granted only when unusual, extenuating circumstances exist, and only after consultation with the instructor. It is the responsibility of each student to keep his or her instructor informed of reasons for late submission of coursework. After the instructor approves the student’s written request for an extension of time, the instructor will sign and submit the required form to the Registrar’s Office. If any coursework is missing at the end of a semester and there is no Incomplete Form on file, the Registrar’s Office will mail an Incomplete Form to the student. The student must complete the form and mail it back to the Registrar’s Office immediately for approval. The College will obtain signatures from the faculty member and Dean. Proof of the extenuating circumstances may be required before approval is granted.

It is the responsibility of the student for whom such an exception has been granted to submit all missing coursework to the Chair/Associate Chair, before the dates listed below.

Note: these dates will pertain regardless of whether or not Incomplete Forms have been submitted, mailed, or returned.

Fall Semester	January 25
Spring Semester	June 25
Summer Session	September 25

The instructor reserves the right to reduce the grade on incomplete coursework in addition to any other reduction in grade already imposed for late submission of coursework. Failure to comply with the above procedures and timelines will result in a student receiving a zero for the missing coursework.

Registration for the following semester will typically be restricted as follows:

Registration will be restricted to six credits (or fewer credits depending upon other grades) for students with one incomplete grade in the prior semester. Students with more than one incomplete grade in a prior semester will not be permitted to register for the following semester. Students with incomplete grades in more than one semester will not be permitted to register in subsequent semesters without approval of the Chair/Associate Chair and Dean. Students with a pattern of incomplete coursework (and absences from finals) may be required to withdraw from the program.

Repeated Courses

A student, who receives an unsatisfactory grade in a course specifically required for the degree, may request the Chair’s/Associate Chair’s approval to repeat the course. In addition, the Graduate Committee on Academic Development may mandate that one or more courses be repeated if a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is not achieved. In such cases, the Chair/Associate Chair may permit or direct the student to repeat a course(s) in order to demonstrate mastery of the subject. Both the original grade and the repeated grade will appear on the transcript. Credit will be given only once for the course, and only the most recent grade will be calculated in the index. The student is liable for the tuition and fees incurred for repeated courses.

Reinstatement

Students asked to withdraw because of unsatisfactory progress may apply to be readmitted to the College. The procedure requires a written request, assessment of previous academic record and of potential, evidence of increased motivation, possible interview, and approval of the Chair/Associate Chair and the Dean.

Students who have been reinstated are responsible for finding out the conditions, if any, which must be satisfied in order to obtain financial aid.