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Master of Human Services Program (MHS)

 

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Pre-Master's Program OPTION I

SOC49A/49B and SOC50A/50B
This two-semester program provides maximum opportunity to develop sound writing and analytical skills at an unhurried pace. Students take 6 credits of writing/computing/critical thinking coursework each semester. The Option I Pre-Master's Program provides an unpressured, thorough introduction to graduate-level writing and thinking.

First Semester: SOC49A and SOC 50A
SOC49A: Basic Writing in the Human Services. This course provides intensive practice in the fundamentals of effective writing for the human service field and for the academic environment. Working in a computer laboratory, students will strengthen their grammar and organizational skills while learning word processing applications as tools for producing effective writing. Emphasis is placed on mastering the conventions of standard written English and editing for clarity and correctness.
SOC50A: Basic Critical Thinking Skills for the Human Service Practitioner. Critical thinking is thinking which aims at replacing unreflective and uncritical habits of thought with those of rational investigation. It is a precondition of good writing and, in practice, writing is one of the most effective instruments for clarifying and refining thinking. This basic course introduces the interrelated processes involved in critical thinking, such as asking the right questions, identifying and challenging assumptions, formulating alternatives, and exploring alternative ways of viewing and solving problems. Students will demonstrate understanding of these processes through short writing assignments.

Second semester: SOC49B and SOC50B

SOC49B: Advanced Writing in the Human Services. Building on the foundation of SOC49A, this course introduces students to increasingly more sophisticated writing situations. Working in a computer laboratory, students will discuss, analyze and practice a variety of advanced academic and job-related writing tasks. Emphasis is placed on refining grammar skills and developing a professional style.

SOC50B: Advanced Critical Thinking Skills for the Human Service Practitioner. Building on the foundation of SOC50A, this course will help students refine their critical thinking skills through reading and analyzing social science texts and practicing a variety of progressively more complex writing tasks. Emphasis will be placed on the production of clearly written, carefully reasoned, and well supported arguments.

Pre-Master's Program OPTION II

SOC501/502/503
Students enrolled in the Option II Pre-Master's Program will meet all Option I goals in an accelerated one-semester program.

SOC501: Communication Applications in the Human Services. An exploration of the fundamentals of effective communication in academic and human service environments. Students will analyze, discuss, and produce a variety of writing tasks, learning to work effectively through all stages of the writing process.

SOC502: Critical Thinking in the Social Sciences. Instruction in critical thinking skills essential to academic and professional development. Students will analyze, discuss and practice the interrelated processes involved in critical analysis, such as asking the right questions, challenging assumptions, formulating alternatives, and producing carefully reasoned, well-supported arguments.

SOC503: Technical Applications in Human Service Communication. Computer-assisted and teacher-directed writing practice. In a laboratory setting, students will review and refine their grammar and organizational skills, while learning word processing and other computer applications as tools for producing effective professional writing.

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Pre-Master's Program OPTION III

SOC 501/503
Students will refine their academic writing skills in an 8-week summer workshop. Critical thinking will be practiced as an integral part of good writing but will not be addressed in a separate class.

SOC501: Communication Applications in the Human Services. An exploration of the fundamentals of effective communication in academic and human service environments. Students will analyze, discuss, and produce a variety of writing tasks, learning to work effectively through all stages of the writing process.

SOC503: Technical Applications in Human Service Communication. Computer-assisted and teacher-directed writing practice. In a laboratory setting, students will review and refine their grammar and organizational skills, while learning word processing and other computer applications as tools for producing effective professional writing.

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