Human Systems Intervention (MA)
Mastering the art and science of change
Application deadline - February 1
* The Human Interaction Laboratory is no longer a pre-requisite for the MA in Human Systems Intervention program.
Program overview
The MA in Human Systems Intervention prepares you to plan and implement whole system change processes. You will explore the theories behind various change approaches in order to facilitate and engage with clients as you design and implement interventions. Collaborating with other students, you will gain a deep understanding of how individuals, teams and systems function, and will apply that knowledge to interventions for third-party organizations. Our course schedule is designed so that students can immediately put the skills they acquire to use in the workplace. Our field supervisors are graduates who now occupy positions in companies such as Deloitte, Manulife Financial Corporation, Bombardier Inc., the McGill University Health Centre and the House of Commons of Canada.
Program details
- Minimum two years of full-time work experience.
- Bachelor's degree with a minimum B average or a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.
- Successful completion of a one week residential Basic Human Interaction Laboratory and have written documentation from laboratory staff that they have competency in interpersonal interaction and facilitation.
- A clearly delineated career intention concerning the development of intervention expertise for a particular domain of professional practice.
- Capacity to undertake all core courses of the first year in the scheduled sequence of the program.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
The Graduate Program Director may require a demonstration of English language competencies for international students or students educated abroad.
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
27 credits – Required Courses
AHSC 610 - Group Process Intervention (3 credits)
AHSC 620 - Learning and Individual Change Processes (3 credits)
AHSC 631 - Research Methods (3 credits)
AHSC 632 - Planning Human Systems Intervention (3 credits)
AHSC 660 - Philosophy and Ethics of Intervention (3 credits)
AHSC 670 - Consultation Methods (3 credits)
AHSC 680 - Facilitating Individual and Group Learning Processes (6 credits)
AHSC 685 - Coaching Interventions and Processes (3 credits)
15 credits – Project
AHSC 698 - Master’s Project (15 credits)
3 credits – Elective Course
AHSC 675 - Introduction to Open Systems Theory (3 credits)
AHSC 681 - Special Topics (3 credits)
AHSC 682 - Special Topics (6 credits)
AHSC 695 - Independent Study I (3 credits)
AHSC 696 - Independent Study II (3 credits)
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of purpose should clearly delineate student's development of intervention expertise for a particular domain of professional practice.
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
Note: An interview is required before admission to the program. Selected applicants will be contacted by the program office.
Successful completion of a Basic Human Interaction Laboratory is also required as a prerequisite before final admission to the program. This laboratory is normally done after the applicant has been granted conditional admission. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the organizations listed here for additional information and to make all necessary arrangements.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Human Systems Intervention |
MA | Feb. 1 | n/a | n/a |
| First Year Students | |
|---|---|
| August 7, 8 and 9, 2020 | |
| off campus residential | August 28 - September 4 (AHSC 610 Laboratory) |
| September 25, 26 and 27, 2020 | |
| October 30, 31 and November 1, 2020 | |
| November 27, 28 and 29, 2020 | |
| January 8, 9 and 10, 2021 | |
| February 5, 6 and 7, 2021 | |
| March 5, 6 and 7, 2021 | |
| April 9, 10 and 11, 2021 | |
| April 30, May 1 and 2, 2021 | |
| Second Year Students | AHSC 685 |
|---|---|
| on campus intensive | May 25 - May 30, 2020 |
| ELECTIVE AHSC 681 | |
| on campus intensive | June 15 - June 19, 2020 |
| AHSC 680 | |
Please note that there is some preparatory work done in Montreal during May, June and July |
|
| off campus residential | August 28 - September 4, 2020 |
| September 25, 2020 (optional) | |
| October 16 - 19, 2020 | |
| AHSC 698 | |
| May 2, 2020 (1 PM to 3 PM) | |
| August 28, 2020 (9 AM to 12 PM) | |
| September 12 and 13, 2020 | |
| November 21 and 22, 2020 | |
| January 23, and 24, 2021 | |
| March 13 and 14, 2021 | |
| May 29 and 30, 2021 | |
| June 12 and 13, 2021 | |
| July 10 and 11, 2021 (if necessary) |
| First Year Students | |
|---|---|
| August 2, 3 and 4, 2019 | |
| off campus residential | August 23 - August 30, 2019 |
| September 27, 28 and 29, 2019 | |
| November 1, 2 and 3, 2019 | |
| November 29, 30, December 1, 2019 | |
| January 3, 4 and 5, 2020 | |
| January 31, February 1 and 2, 2020 | |
| March 6, 7 and 8, 2020 | |
| April 3, 4 and 5, 2020 | |
| May 1, 2 and 3, 2020 | |
| Second Year Students | |
|---|---|
| AHSC 685 (Coaching) | |
| on campus intensive | May 27 - June 1, 2019 |
| ELECTIVE AHSC 681 (Dialogic Organization Development) | |
| on campus intensive | June 17 - June 21, 2019 |
| AHSC 680 | |
Please note that there is some preparatory work done in Montreal during May, June and July |
|
| off campus residential | August 23 - August 30, 2019 |
| September 20, 2019 (optional) | |
| October 25, 26, 27, 28, 2019 | |
| AHSC 698 | |
| May 3, 2019 (1-3pm) | |
| August 23, 2019 (9 - 12 noon) | |
| September 14, 15, 2019 | |
| November 16, 17, 2019 | |
| January 18, 19, 2020 | |
| March 14, 15, 2020 | |
| May 30, 31, 2020 | |
| June 13, 14, 2020 | |
| July 4, 5, 2020 (if necessary) | |
Sample classes offered:
- Group Process Intervention
- Learning and Individual Change Processes
- Research Methods
- Consultation Skills
- Philosophy and Ethics of Intervention
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.
Several awards and scholarships are available for new students, and consideration for funding opportunities is automatically part of the admissions process. In addition, students are eligible for Research Assistant positions on funded research grants, and are encouraged to network with faculty members to determine if work opportunities are available.
The Faculty of Arts and Science supports graduate students by awarding a variety of scholarships and bursaries such as:
- Faculty of Arts and Science Master's Fellowship
- Campaign for the New Millennium Graduate Award
- Harriet and Abe Gold Endowment
- Hydro-Quebec Graduate Award
- Out-of-Province Fee Remission Awards
Please consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards for more information.
Research-active faculty members represent the diversity of approaches that are built into our program. They regularly publish in a variety of different venues and have won a number of awards for excellence in teaching.
- Faculty research interests include:
- knowledge creation in healthcare
- group dynamics in extreme environments
- homophobia, violence and applied interventions
- lifestyle wellness coaching
- collaborative creativity
- planned change and innovation
- wellness in the workplace
- Indigenous youth leadership development
- learning communities as complex adaptive systems
Our alumni are highly sought after by intergovernmental organizations, universities, multinational corporations, consulting companies, governments, community-based programs and international aid organizations. Graduates are working as advisors, consultants, writers, coaches, professors, counsellors, associates and directors.
Example of organizations and institutions our alumni are currently working for include:
- A+ Transitions
- Bombardier Inc.
- Canadian Department of National Defense
- Centre for Intercultural Learning
- CGI
- Conference Board of Canada
- Desjardins group
- Foot in the Door Consulting
- Forbes
- Head & Hands
- House of Commons of Canada
- IMIXcoCREATION
- International Civil Aviation Organization
- Kids Helpline
- KPMG Canada
- Lockheed Martin
- Manulife Financial Corporation
- McGill University
- NewLeaf Performance
- OneSmallWorld
- PMC Training
- Process Inc. Consulting
- Project Chance
- Pyxis Technologies
- RBC
- Rio Tinto Alcan
- Royal Roads University
- Ryerson University
- St. Francis Xavier University
- The Pillars
- United Nations
- Vision Coach International
“The program not only gave me tools and experience in individual, group and system change processes, it also significantly shifted my worldview and the ways I approach my personal and professional relationships.”
Juniper Belshaw
“What I valued most is the collective intelligence and wisdom of the HSI community. They are a committed group of professionals who are busy changing the world and always eager to connect and share resources.”
Cédric Jamet
“Everything I do is informed by what I learned in this program. Professors often pop into my head, offering their lenses for seeing and doing work with systems in ways that are collaborative and generative.”
Christie Huff
“What distinguishes HSI from what I have experienced before is the quality of the faculty and staff. They are a group of people committed to giving students a safe space to explore and to question.”
Fodé Beaudet
Graduate Experience at Concordia University
Want to know more? Check out this great video which features one of our graduates!
Key resources
Join the conversation
Related links:
2020 - 2021 Info Sessions
- To Be Determined
Program Inquiries:
Graduate Program Assistant: gpa.ahsc@concordia.ca
