SoHE MS Pathways
The Master of Science in Human Ecology offers multi-disciplinary coursework that focuses on current theories and strategies for creating, managing, and evaluating settings that promote human and community development. Students are exposed to current research and practice that integrates: (a) the promotion of human and family development with (b) perspectives on building effective organizations and sustainable communities. Students create their own specialization through elective courses and the completion of a real-world capstone project. Specializations and pathways are designed so that students can name their expertise to prospective employers.
Policy, Implementation, and Advocacy (PIA)
The PIA pathway focuses on translating the insights of human ecology into action to benefit individuals, families, and communities and prepares students to lead change through policy, practice, and advocacy roles in government and community organizations.
Key Questions of the PIA Pathway
- How does policy and practice as implemented affect individuals, families, and communities?
- How can research and practice knowledge be translated into action?
- How do organizations and communities change and what skills and practices can you develop to lead change?
- How does the interdisciplinary and multi-level approach of human ecology inform policy and advocacy work?
Example Core and Theory Courses
Potential Topic-Focused Courses
- HDFS 872 – Bridging The Gap Between Research & Action
- CSCS 570 – Community Based Research and Evaluation
- CSCS 775 – Building Civil Society
- CSCS 795 – Community Power and Collective Action
- CSCS 811 – Community-Based Research: Theory and Practice
- CNSR SCI 830 – Families and Households in Communities
- CSCS 500 – Global Health and Communities
- ED Ldrshp & Policy Analysis 870 – The Politics of Education
- HDFS 765 – Families & Poverty
- Pub Affairs 974 – Topics in Public Affairs
Examples of PIA Capstone Topics
Project: Impact of Food Policy Intervention on Farmers and Low Resource Communities
Project: The Impact of Classroom Ratios in Early Care and Education Centers
Project: Queerly Incarcerated: Prison Mailrooms, Book Access, and the LGBTQ+ Experience Behind Bars
Community Partner: Dane County Farmers Market and Food Council
Community Partner: Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
Community Partner: LGBT Books to Prisoners
Program Development and Evaluation (PDE)
The PDE Pathway applies academic knowledge to program design and builds skills in measuring the effectiveness of programs in cultural and community contexts to prepare graduates to be program leaders, evaluators, and more
Key Questions of the PDE Pathway
- How are individual and community needs and program effectiveness documented using systematic approaches?
- How is data communicated to and used by decision-makers in organizations and government agencies?
- How does academic knowledge contribute to program design and development?
- What program designs are responsive to the needs and opportunities across human ecology – from individual to systems level?
- How do different communities and groups engage with collective efforts and organizations?
Example Core and Theory Courses
Potential Topic-Focused Courses
- CSCS 510 – Design & Write Grant Proposals
- COUN PSY 601 – Community-Engaged Scholarship
- CURRIC 719 – Intro to Qualitative Research
- HDFS 880 – Prevention Science
- CSCS 570 – Community Based Research & Eval
- ED Ldrshp & Policy Analysis 770 – Community Opportunity Justice
- HDFS 765 – Families & Poverty
- LSC 700 – Colloquium in Life Sciences Communication
- PUBLHLTH 713 – Global Health Non-Communicable Diseases
- CNSR SCI 888 – Advanced Consumer Behavior
Examples of PDE Capstone Topics
Project: Culturally Responsible Foods Initiative
Project: Program Evaluation of Oregon Mental Health Services School-Based Mental Health Services in the Mount Horeb Intermediate Center
Project: ReRevealing What Was Always There: Evaluating the First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour as a Visibility Intervention
Community Partner: Second Harvest
Community Partners: OMHS and Mt. Horeb SD
Community Partner: UW-Madison Campus & Visitor Relations
Organizational Leadership and Strategy (OLS)
The OLS pathway brings multi-level perspectives to understanding the processes of strategic change and community engagement, so graduates can work across systems to lead within organizations and communities.
Key Questions of the OLS Pathway
- How are processes of strategic change implemented in organizations and communities?
- How does research inform both the process and goals of community work?
- How do we use the multi-level approach of human ecology to understand organizations and their interactions in communities?
Examples of Core Courses
- INTER-HE 815 – Professional Skills for Community Leaders and Practitioners
- CSCS 775 – Building Civil Society
- ED POL 810 – Community-Based Spaces
- C&E SOC 617 – Community Development
- HDFS 880 – Prevention Sicence
Examples of OLS Capstone Topics
Project: Uplifting Family and Child Care Provider Voices: Insights on Meaningful Engagement in the Early Care and Education System
Project: 2025 Vision Report
Project: Understanding Collaborative Problem Solving and Equity within MMSD Community School & Madison Teachers Inc
Community Partner: City of Madison Early Care and Education Department
Community Partner: GSAFE
Community Partner: Madison Teachers Inc. Education Justice Center