Family and Human Development - M.S.

Applications are due by January 15.  

The major objective of the terminal master's program in family and human development (with concentrations in child development or family studies) is to provide advanced training in applying scientific methods to investigate the development and well-being of family systems and individual family members throughout the lifespan and to apply scientific principles and theory to the development of programs to prevent or ameliorate problems that families and their members experience.

Graduate students are expected to develop competencies in research methods and in theoretical orientations relevant to their area of study. The skills and knowledge acquired during the course of training should enable each student to develop professional competencies that can be applied to significant problems and issues affecting families.

Admission: Admission to the program is determined by the following criteria: (1) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and writing), (2) three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic background, (3) official transcripts of the student’s academic record, (4) resume, and (5) a personal statement. The application deadline is January 15.  View more details on admission materials. 

Program of study: A master’s degree in family and human development (with a concentration in child development or family studies) requires the successful completion of a minimum of 32 semester hours, including classes in child development and family theory, research methods, current research topics and statistics.

Foreign language requirements: None.

Thesis requirements: A thesis is required.

Final examination: A final oral examination in defense of the thesis is required. This oral examination also tests the student’s comprehension of the area of family and human development exemplified by the thesis.