Master of Science in Social Service Administration (M.S.S.S.A)

The Master of Science in Social Service Administration (MS-SSA) is a professional degree designed to prepare students for leadership and managerial roles in social service organizations. Students are given a strong foundation in analytical problem solving, budgeting and finance, ethics, legal and policy analyses. The MS-SSA is similar to a MSW but differs in that whereas an MSW prepares students to be social work practitioners, the MS-SSA prepares students to manage a social work practice.

The MS-SSA program consists of 40 credits split between a foundational curriculum of 25 credits and a specialized curriculum of 15 credits. The curriculum is designed to be completed within 4 terms full time or 7 terms part time, with the capstone course being the sole class taken in any students' final semester. All courses listed below are 3 credits unless otherwise stated.

Foundational Courses

  • Catholic Servant Leadership (1 credit)
  • Effective Communication in Leadership
  • Human Resource Management and Strategy
  • Principles of Budgeting and Finance
  • Public Policy Analysis and Implementation
  • Principles of Ethical Leadership
  • Public-Private Partnerships
  • Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis
  • Master’s Capstone

Specialized Courses

  • Diversity in a Multicultural Society
  • Legal Aspects of Social Services
  • Organizational Theory for Human Services
  • Public Policy and Social Services
  • Public Relations and Fundraising