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.

Degree Requirements

(We accept up to 6 of your previously earned graduate level college credits. Schedule an admissions consultation by emailing: metropolitan@cua.edu to have your transcripts evaluated)

How long will it take me to get the degree?
Earn your degree in as little as 2 years or 18 months with online classes.

Program Details

The MS-SSA program consists of a total of 12 courses, or 36 semester credits. Online classes are 8 weeks.
Participants typically take two courses per term, with each course meeting one evening per week, from 6:10 - 8:40 p.m. (or 5:40 - 9:40 p.m. in the shorter summer sessions).

Students must earn at least a 'B' (3.0) grade point average -- both overall and on final projects completed as part of the capstone course, "Master's Capstone: Research, Synthesis, Applications."

Program Outcomes

A 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 differs from an MSW in that whereas an MSW prepares students to be social work practitioners, the MS-SSA prepares student to manage a social work practice.

Upon completion of the Master of Science in Social Service Administration, students will be able to:

  1. Think critically and integrate quantitative and qualitative analyses to decision making within the sphere of social services.
  2. Understand and communicate the current state of public policy, policy development, and laws related to social services.
  3. Identify and meet the needs of the community as they relate to their social service organizations.
  4. Apply the theories of leadership and administration within real-world contexts.
  5. Apply ethical behavior to evaluating and solving problems of leadership, budgeting and finance, human capital, fundraising, and law and policies related to social service organizations.

Still have questions?

Schedule a 15 minute meeting Zoom meeting with a Graduate Admissions counselor.