Human and Community Relations, Master of Arts

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion	30
Additional Admission Requirements	Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Some online/blended coursework	Required
Progression Plan Link	View Program of Study

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.

Graduate Admission Information

• The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
  
  Admission requirements include the following:

  • Transcripts.
  • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.

  
  Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
  
  Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

  International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• • Essay/Letter of Intent/Personal Statement*

• *See the application for details.

Master's Requirements

• This Master's degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

  • Required Courses: 24 units
  • Electives: 6 units
     

  Take the following 30 units:

• Required Courses (24 units)

  • EPS 525, EPS 550, EPS 575, EPS 580, EPS 591, EPS 596, EPS 605, EPS 664 (24 units)

• Electives (6 units)

  • Select from the following (6 units):
    • CCHE 580
    • EDR 610
    • EPS 590, EPS 595, EPS 602, EPS 606, EPS 610, EPS 611, EPS 620

• • OR

• Select six (or more) units that comprise a graduate certificate offered through Northern Arizona University. Note: most certificate programs require 12 -15 credit hours. Certificate programs include:

  • Assistive Technology
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Positive Behavior Support
  • Public Management
  • Women's and Gender Studies

Additional Information

• Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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