Human Development and Family Studies - M.A. Download to print

The Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies provides students with advanced knowledge in the fields of family sciences and human development and the opportunity to develop multidisciplinary research and community outreach skills. Coursework enables students to apply to become Certified Family Life Educators. Graduates are prepared for leadership and teaching positions in the social services, junior and community colleges and cooperative extension, and/or for pursuing doctoral-level study.
 

Official transcript(s), 3.0 GPA, goal statement and three letters of recommendation.

For more information about graduate admission, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

Core requirements are HDFS 64023, HDFS 64024, EVAL 65510, EVAL 65511 and EPSY 65523. A total of 32 semester hours are required.
 

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify physical, intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions of human life within their respective disciplines.
2. Identify ways to contribute to quality of human life within their respective disciplines.
3. Participate in quality developmental and family research and outreach within their respective disciplines.
4. Identify practical implications of human development and family relationship concepts.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of program development, delivery and evaluation pertaining to human development and family relationships.
6. Access scholarly sources of information and critically evaluate the quality of empirical research pertaining to human development and family relationships.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods, and principles of research pertaining to human development and family relationships.
8. Effectively communicate their ideas in oral presentations and written papers.
9. Demonstrate proficiency in developmental and family research methods and relevant statistical analyses.
10. Independently complete a master's thesis or master's project that reflects an understanding of the interrelationship between theory, research, and practice.
11. Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families.
12. Apply knowledge of human development and family relationships through involvement with and study of diverse domestic and international populations.
13. Identify opportunities to make a contribution in the field of human development and family studies.
14. Demonstrate knowledge of professional organizations in the field of human development and family studies.
15. Define a specific focus area of interest within the field of human development and family studies, and utilize course assignments and independent learning opportunities to develop and demonstrate expertise in this area.
16. Demonstrate leadership skills through participation in classroom learning activities and taking initiative for expanding one's own learning.
17. Identify opportunities for advanced training and certification in human development and family studies and related professions.
18. Identify opportunities for employment in human development and family studies and related professions.

Either a Masters Thesis or a Masters Project is required.

The thesis track is intended for research-oriented students and is designed to provide the opportunity to conduct original research. Approval of a thesis proposal by the student's thesis committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the thesis committee.

The master's project track is intended for students who do not plan to continue graduate work beyond the master's degree, and provides the opportunity to approach research and theory in a more applied manner. The presentation and interpretation of original research is not required. However, approval of the intended project by the student's master's project committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the master's project committee.