Be the One They Can Count On

Make a positive impact in the lives of the children who need it most with a Master of Human Services in Child Protection degree from Nova Southeastern University.

Develop the critical knowledge, values, and skills necessary to respond effectively to complex problems confronting children and families in the protective services system.

Tailor your degree for your area of interest with a concentration and give your career the edge it needs to lay a strong foundation in a child’s life.

Quick Facts

Tuition

Tuition for the degree program is $860 per credit hour. Discounted rates are available through our employer tuition program.

Curriculum

NSU’s M.H.S. in Child Protection program consists of 33 total credits and can be completed in as little as 18 months.

Start Dates

The M.H.S. in Child Protection is available to start in August, January, and May. Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year

Delivery Options

Coursework for the Master of Human Services in Child Protection degree is conducted entirely online.

What Can You Do with a Master’s Degree in Child Protection?

Go on to have a rewarding career as a:

  • Foster Care Caseworker
  • Child Protective Services Manager
  • Child Protective Investigator
  • Foster Care Mental Health Worker
  • Juvenile Justice Worker
Child Protection graduate doing classroom activity with child

Earning Potential

Social Work Manager

$93,697 Average Salary Per Year

Foster Care Worker

$61,397 Average Salary Per Year

Law Enforcement Investigator

$60,296 Average Salary Per Year

Source: Salary.com

M.H.S. in Child Protection Curriculum

This graduate degree program offers a research-based curriculum that is paired with field experiences to provide you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a career. You can focus your degree with unique specialization tracks that allow you to be an expert in your area of interest. This master's program comprises 33 credits: 24 credits (6 courses) of core curriculum plus a 9 credit (3 course) concentration.

To see real-time course offerings, view NSU’s entire course catalog on Course Wizard.

Core Courses

Required Courses (24 credits)
Credits
HCP 0510
Foundations in Child Protection Law (HCP 0510 / Credits: 4 )
4
HCP 0520
Foundations in Family Diversity and Conflict Resolution (HCP 0520 / Credits: 4 )
4
HCP 0530
Foundations in Child Development (HCP 0530 / Credits: 4 )
4
HCP 0540
Foundations in Child Placement Risk and Protective Factors (HCP 0540 / Credits: 4 )
4
HCP 0550
Foundations in Assessment and Case Planning (HCP 0550 / Credits: 4 )
4
HCP 0560
Program Evaluation (HCP 0560 / Credits: 4 )
4

Concentration Tracks

Gain an understanding of best practices for maintaining and supporting child and youth care programs.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
HCP 6810
Supervision Methods & Approaches for Child & Youth Care Administrators (HCP 6810 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6820
Public Policy & the Child & Youth Care Field for Program Administrators (HCP 6820 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6830
The Development & Acquisition of Resources for Child & Youth Care Programs (HCP 6830 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6840
Supervision of Family Support Programs (HCP 6840 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6850
Legal Aspects of the Management of Programs for Children & Youth (HCP 6850 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6860
Financial Aspects of the Management of Programs for Children & Youth (HCP 6860 / Credits: 3 )
3
Learn about the concepts and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), including the science and philosophy behind the field, as well as best practices for ABA application, management, and evaluation.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
ABA 0711
Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis I (ABA 0711 / Credits: 3 )
3
ABA 0712
Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis II (ABA 0712 / Credits: 3 )
3
ABA 0721
Applied Behavior Analysis Assessment and Application (ABA 0721 / Credits: 3 )
3
ABA 0731
Applied Behavior Analysis Assessment and Delivery Models (ABA 0731 / Credits: 3 )
3
ABA 0741
Evaluating Interventions in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA 0741 / Credits: 3 )
3
ABA 0751
Supervision and Management in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA 0751 / Credits: 3 )
3
ABA 0756
Ethical and Professional Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA 0756 / Credits: 3 )
3
Receive a fundamental understanding of laws, policies, and practices in exceptional student education as well as current trends in educational strategies and practices.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
HCP 6610
Survey of Exceptionalities of Children & Youth (HCP 6610 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6620
Inclusive Education for Exceptional Students (HCP 6620 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6630
Teaching Social & Personal Skills to Exceptional Students (HCP 6630 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6640
Consultation & Collaboration in Exceptional Student Education (HCP 6640 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6650
Special Education Law (HCP 6650 / Credits: 3 )
3
Learn about child protection within the juvenile justice system and receive in-depth knowledge of current law enforcement practices, juvenile justice system practices, and the different social factors that negatively impact children and lead to juvenile behavior.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
CJI 6910
Theory of Child Protection, Investigation, and Advocacy (CJI 6910 / Credits: 3 )
3
CJI 6920
Juvenile Justice: Systems, Structure, and Process (CJI 6920 / Credits: 3 )
3
CJI 6930
Family Dynamics: Motivation, Support and Communication (CJI 6930 / Credits: 3 )
3
CJI 6940
Victimology: Child Abuse and Exploited Children (CJI 6940 / Credits: 3 )
3
CJI 6950
Safe Schools: Climate and Culture (CJI 6950 / Credits: 3 )
3
CJI 6530
Substance Abuse Treatment in the Community (CJI 6530 / Credits: 3 )
3
CJI 6540
Cultural Factors in Treatment (CJI 6540 / Credits: 3 )
3
Learn about the theories of conflict and crisis management and how they are implemented as well as the effects of trauma and violence on individuals, families, communities, and the workplace. Courses are offered in conjunction with NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
CARM 5040
Communication Dynamics in Dispute Resolution: The Human Factor (CARM 5040 / Credits: 3 )
3
CARM 6638
Conflict and Crisis Management Theory & Practice (CARM 6638 / Credits: 3 )
3
CARM 6610
Family Violence: The Effects on Families, Communities and Workplaces (CARM 6610 / Credits: 3 )
3
Learn about family dynamics, family support programs, and family support public policy, and be prepared with knowledge and skills needed for working with families.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
HCP 6710
Family Systems (HCP 6710 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6720
Program Models (HCP 6720 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6730
Parent Support & Education (HCP 6730 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6740
The Profession in the Field of Family Support (HCP 6740 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6750
Public Policy in the Field of Family Support (HCP 6750 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6760
Assessment & Evaluation of Family Support Programs (HCP 6760 / Credits: 3 )
3
Gain a comprehensive education of how natural and man-made disasters affect different populations and how preparations can be made to best serve communities. Courses are offered in conjunction with NSU's Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
DEM 5050
Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness (DEM 5050 / Credits: 3 )
3
DEM 5090
Weapons of Mass Threat and Communicable Diseases (DEM 5090 / Credits: 3 )
3
DEM 6410
Emergency Preparedness Public Policy and Law (DEM 6410 / Credits: 3 )
3
DEM 6404
Community Planning, Response, and Recovery for Families and Children (DEM 6404 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6105
Special Topics in All-Hazards Preparedness for Vulnerable Populations (HCP 6105 / Credits: 3 )
3
Receive an in-depth understanding into the legal practices involved in child protection, including family law, children’s rights, and juvenile law, as well as best practices for investigating, interviewing, counseling, settling disputes, and negotiating.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
HCP 6410
Family Law (HCP 6410 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6420
Children's Rights Seminar (HCP 6420 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6430
Juvenile Law (HCP 6430 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6440
Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiating (HCP 6440 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6450
Civil Rights of Children in State Care (HCP 6450 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6460
Domestic Violence Seminar (HCP 6460 / Credits: 3 )
3
Receive foundational knowledge on what affects a child’s development, learn about best practices for communicating with children from a variety of backgrounds, and build your critical-thinking skills by exploring case studies and improving current strategies. Courses are offered in conjunction with NSU's College of Psychology.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
HCP 6110
Intervention Strategies (HCP 6110 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6120
Overview: Childhood and Adolescent Development (HCP 6120 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6130
Overview: Childhood & Adolescent Psychological Disorders (HCP 6130 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6140
Overview: Children and Trauma (HCP 6140 / Credits: 3 )
3
HCP 6150
Special Topics: Seminar & Case Studies (HCP 6150 / Credits: 3 )
3
Receive an in-depth understanding of implementing the best public health practices in child protection care. Courses are offered in conjunction with NSU's Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Curriculum

Choose Three Courses
Credits
PUH 5504
Public Health Issues in Child Protection (PUH 5504 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUH 5002
Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (PUH 5002 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUH 6120
Public Health Program Planning & Evaluation (PUH 6120 / Credits: 3 )
3
PUH 5512
Health Policy Plan/Management (PUH 5512 / Credits: 3 )
3

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This disclosure discusses the terms by which the successful completion of an M.H.S. in Child Protection degree with a concentration in Advocating for the Child as a Behavior Analyst would meet the state’s educational licensure requirements.

View the Professional Licensure Disclosure

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Admission Requirements

Ready for the Next Step?

We’re thrilled you’re applying to NSU’s M.H.S. in Child Protection degree program.

Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year.

 

Apply Now

Have the following items ready to submit with your online application:

  • $50 application fee
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Personal statement of between 150 and 300 words indicating your goals in pursuing a Master of Human Services in Child Protection
  • Two letters of recommendation from current professors, employers, supervisors, or similar people most familiar with your professional experience (letters of recommendation must be less than one year old)
Applicants who have attended foreign universities or colleges are required to have their academic credentials evaluated for U.S. institutional equivalence. Please visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for more information. International students are encouraged to contact the Office of International Student Services at (954) 262-7240 or 800-541-6682, ext. 27240, or by email at intl@nova.edu, or visit the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Fellowship

With NSU’s ABA Fellowship, accrue hours toward the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) concentrated supervised fieldwork category while employed at NSU’s Baudhuin Preschool. As a fellow in this program, you will be eligible for tuition reduction contingent upon six months of successful employment.

This two-year fellowship lets you immediately bridge theory to practice with the oversight of the University. Two fellows will be selected for each two year cycle, with the next cycle beginning Fall 2023. This two-year tenure will align with the Broward County Public Schools academic and extended school year calendars.

At the conclusion of the fellowship, fellows will have accumulated the necessary fieldwork hours toward Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification exam eligibility.

Students enrolled in NSU’s master’s-level ABA concentrations are eligible to apply for the ABA Fellowship Program.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated interest and commitment to working with children and families
  • Articulated motivation to pursue a career in ABA
  • Preference will be given to applicants with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework
  • Ability to work full time in the United States throughout the course of the fellowship (2 years)
  • Ability to pass both Broward County Fieldprint Fingerprinting and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Clearinghouse level-2 background checks
  • Ability to pass the 90-day probationary period; extensions of the probationary period will be granted only in exceptional circumstances when there are extraordinary reasons beyond the student’s control and have been discussed with the Program Supervisor in advance of the probation deadline
  • Ability to maintain satisfactory academic standing and work performance throughout the duration of the ABA fellowship

 

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Applications must include all of the materials listed below. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Email completed packages using the subject line “Fellowship Application: Last Name, First Name” to em986@nova.edu.

March–May: NSU accepts application

May 1, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (ET): All application materials due

May 1, 2023–June 1, 2023: Finalist selection and interviews

June 2, 2023: Selected Fellows notified

June 14, 2023: Deadline for Fellows to accept or decline the offer

June 15, 2023: Onboarding of Fellows

August 1, 2023: Estimated Start Date

 

NSU ABA Fellows must successfully complete 45 hours of Child Care Training within six months of employment, participate in all ESE Teacher Aide trainings, and maintain a 3.5 GPA and satisfactory employee performance throughout the course of the fellowship.

For more information, contact Dr. Emmy Maurilus at em986@nova.edu.
NSU graduate in cap and gown smiling

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