Department website: MinotStateU.edu/sped/

MSU - Disability Human Services (minotstateu.edu)

(701) 858-3050 / (800) 777-0750 ext. 3050

Department of Education and Inclusive Services Chair: Dr. Daniel Conn
MS Disability Human Services Program Director: Dr. Evan Borisinkoff

Disability Human Services Program 

PURPOSE FUELED BY PASSION: Inclusive Schools, Inclusive Communities, Inclusive Communication

Disability Human Services Program Vision

We believe human diversity strengthens us all. We strive for a world where people of all abilities are valued for their contributions and meaningfully included in all aspects of society.

Disability Human Services Program Mission

To achieve our vision by preparing high quality professionals, at both initial and advanced levels, who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be leaders in their respective disciplines. Our mission is accomplished through current and innovative teaching and learning experiences, impactful community service, and practical research and assessment. Our daily practice focuses on engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving to advance this mission. 

Overview

The Master of Science in Disability Human Services degree is designed to prepare leaders to serve in disability human services organizations. Candidates receive advanced preparation in research and experiential learning; human resource and fiscal management; disabilities knowledge; law, policy, and regulation; assessment and evaluation; instruction and training; and program development and implementation. This degree focuses on supporting individuals with disabilities across the lifespan and is intended for personnel who work or will work in disability human services programs at a local, regional, or state agency. Candidates with diverse educational and experiential backgrounds can be accommodated. All Special Education graduate programs are available online to meet the varied needs of students who may also be working professionals.

Student Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Goals	Student Learning Outcomes
1. Disability Human Service professionals attain the knowledge and skills necessary to strategically create and nurture the environment and culture of learning in a human services agency.	Explain the concepts of learning organizations, learning practice, organizational capacity building, and organizational sustainability.
	Describe the various features of change theory as it applies to disability human services agencies.
	Discuss the process and procedures for deciding on, and then planning one or more new services for a community services program.
2. Human Service professionals use their understanding of substantive civil and criminal law in major areas affecting the lives of individuals with disabilities to enhance individual’s human rights and promote advocacy and personal well-being.	Analyze program policies and procedures that reflect the law and disability.
	Monitor the implementation of law and policies that safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities within the organization.
	Participate in professional activities that advocate for effective legislation relative to disability topics.
	Engage and support individuals with disabilities in the advocacy process.
3. Human Service professionals use valid and reliable assessment practices to increase positive outcomes for people with disabilities.	Design and implement assessment protocols that incorporate appropriate tools and procedures for program assessment.
	Evaluate Person-Centered Practices at all levels of an organization and develop plans for promoting a culture of person-centeredness and person-directed supports.
	Critically analyze assessment data to make recommendations for program improvement and convey results to all stakeholders effectively.
4. Human Service professionals use their knowledge of evidence-based policies and practices to improve programs for people with disabilities and promote inclusive communities.	Use progress monitoring of individual and group outcomes of persons with disabilities served by the agency.
	Use a variety of strategies and approaches to ensure the well-being and active habilitation of people with disabilities in community settings.
	Demonstrate an understanding of how to design, implement, and evaluate positive behavior supports within an organization.
5. Human Service professionals use effective management and human resource strategies to ensure sustainability of an organization and effective outcomes for individuals with disabilities.	Apply knowledge of human and fiscal management theories to solve operational and ethical organizational challenges.
	Develop policies and procedures to recruit, retain and develop quality personnel.
	Demonstrate knowledge of how to connect organizational goals to budgetary planning to promote growth of an organization.

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Admission Standards

Candidates seeking admission to the Master of Science in Disability Human Services program must complete the admission requirements of the Graduate School and have:

• A completed bachelor’s degree, preferably in a human-services related field. Depending on the student's educational and vocational background, some co-requisites may apply.
• An overall GPA of 2.75 or 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework.

Admission applications are recommended to the Graduate School by the Special Education program director in consultation with program core faculty. Application due dates are posted on the Graduate School webpage.

Retention Policy

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average to remain in any Special Education graduate program.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty, including professional dispositions and ethics, is at the core of any professional program. Any behavior deemed as academically dishonest or not reflective of professional dispositions and ethical behavior by the Department of Special Education will result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to, a failing grade for the assignment and/or course, and/or dismissal from the program. Violations include, but are not limited to, the following types of behaviors:

1. Misrepresenting another individual’s work as one’s own, e.g., plagiarism.
2. Copying from another student during an exam.
3. Altering one’s exam after grading for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade.
4. Submitting the same paper to more than one class.
5. Use of any material not approved by the instructor during an exam.
6. Turning in reports intended to be based on field collected data but, in fact, are not.
7. Failure to respect the confidentiality of students/persons served or studied.
8. Failure to uphold the professional standards for ethical conduct as set forth by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).

This graduate degree program is designed to prepare leaders to serve in disability human services organizations. Candidates receive advanced preparation in Research and Experiential learning; Human Resource and Fiscal Management; Disabilities Knowledge; Law, Policy and Regulation; Assessment and Evaluation; Instruction & Training; and Program Development and Implementation.

SPED 501	Intro to Graduate Studies	3
SPED 503	Research Design and Methodology	3
SPED 508	Law, Regulation, and Policy in Disability Services	3
SPED 525	Intro to Severe Disabilities	3
SPED 538	Final Practicum in Disability Human Services	4
SPED 539	Clinical Practice in Human Services Program Assessment	3
BADM 540	Organizational Leadership	3
BADM 535	Management Principles and Practices	3
Choose from the following		3-6
BADM 537	Human Resource Management
or BADM 565 & FIN 545	Strategic Management and Financial Management and Accounting
SPED 599	Thesis	3
or SPED 598	Research Project
Total Hours		31-34

Faculty

Faculty

Dr. Evan Borisinkoff
Associate Professor, DHS Graduate Program Director

Dr. Holly Pedersen
Professor, Special Education Department Chair

Dr. Andy Bertsch
Professor, Business Administration Department Chair and MSM Program Director

Dr. Ruth Soderstrom
Adjunct Faculty