Human and Community Relations, Master of Arts

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Purpose Statement

The MA in Human and Community Relations (HCR) prepares you to navigate the complexities of human behavior, communication, leadership, and community engagement. This program offers a blend of theoretical foundations and practical tools for creating inclusive, collaborative environments in both professional and community settings. You will explore learning processes, leadership strategies, analytical reasoning, and community development and evaluation, equipping you to design and assess initiatives that foster positive relationships.

This 30-unit, online degree attracts individuals from a range of fields, particularly those pursuing or looking to advance their careers in business, education, public service, nonprofit organizations, and community development. You can tailor your education with the addition of a graduate certificate in areas such as Indigenous and Tribal Nation-Building, Community Planning, Educational Technology, or Positive Behavior Support, allowing you to tackle real-world challenges while building specialized expertise.

Throughout the program, you will collaborate with a diverse cohort of peers, faculty, and community organizations, gaining fresh perspectives and deepening your understanding of the social dynamics that shape communities. This collaborative environment will strengthen your ability to work across sectors and cultures, an essential skill for driving inclusive, equitable change.

Aligned with the College of Education's mission, the HCR program prepares compassionate professionals to create a positive impact in your workplace and community. Graduates are equipped for a range of careers, including Community Relations Specialists, Nonprofit Managers, Organizational Development Consultants, Youth and Community Program Coordinators, Policy Advocates, and more, leading initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, and community well-being.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply and interpret core principles of human behavior - including lifespan development, personality, and educational psychology - in community and organizational contexts.
• Examine how individual, social, and cultural contexts shape human behavior and interaction across settings.
• Evaluate learning and development processes to inform responsive and effective practice.
• Apply leadership and interpersonal strategies that foster respectful, collaborative, and inclusive environments in professional and community contexts.
• Develop skills for guiding group interactions and resolving conflicts effectively, with awareness of cultural and social dynamics.
• Develop and apply skills that support effective relationship-building and constructive engagement in community and organizational contexts.
• Analyze and assess community-based programs using foundational program evaluation and needs-assessment approaches developed in core coursework.
• Apply research design, measurement, and analytical reasoning to interpret findings and support evidence-informed decisions aligned with community priorities and goals.
• Apply and evaluate established theories and methods to address challenges in human relations and community development, fostering inclusive and effective practices across communities.
• Compose clear, coherent arguments that integrate theory, evidence, and practical application.
• Create professional products and materials that demonstrate interdisciplinary integration across core coursework and, where relevant, elective or certificate areas.
• Deliver complex ideas in varied formats appropriate for different professional or community audiences, demonstrating adaptability and awareness of stakeholder perspectives.
• Reflect critically on personal and professional experiences to identify assumptions and enhance self-awareness in community engagement.
• Apply ethical reasoning frameworks to navigate complex issues in human relations and community development, with attention to fairness, integrity, and social responsibility.
• Use feedback and reflection to refine professional practice and strengthen culturally responsive approaches.
• Synthesize knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines to address complex social and organizational challenges.
• Incorporate insights from elective or certificate areas, as appropriate, to enrich strategies for community development and human relations practice.