Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Graduate Study
Human Development and Family Studies - Master of Science

The Master of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies is designed to help students gain an understanding of increasingly diverse family units as well as individual family members as they develop across the life course.  Depending upon student interest and career goals, focus may be on human development (adolescence, aging), leadership, policy or diversity.  Students are prepared to work with and advocate for families, children, youth and adults in a broad range of settings, including extension offices, community agencies, and policy-making contexts.  Both a thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) option are offered.  Those pursuing Plan A are prepared for doctoral study in a variety of related fields.

Admission

Students must have:

  1. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university. 
  2. A grade-point average of 3.00 or better during the last two full years of undergraduate study. 
  3. A favorable evaluation by at least three professional references. 
  4. Academic records, references, and experiences that reflect strong qualifications for graduate study. 

International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam: 1) Paper-based version: minimum average score of 550, no subscore below 52; 2) Computer-based version: minimum average score of 213, no subscore below 19; 3) Internet-based version: minimum average score of 80; no subscore below 19 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 22.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies

The Master of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for both Plan A and Plan B.

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
1. All of the following courses (12 credits):
HDFS 810 Theories of Human Development 3
HDFS 847 Theories of the Family 3
HDFS 880 Research Design and Measurement 3
HDFS 892 Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies 3
Additional courses may be substituted for HDFS 892 with advisor approval.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. The following course (3 credits):
HDFS 881 Quantitative Methods in Human Development 3
2. Complete 9 credits chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
3. Complete 6 credits of HDFS 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
HDFS 481 Research and Quantitative Methods in Human Development and Family Studies 3
HDFS 845 Foundations of Family Study 3
2. Complete 12 credits chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.