Human Development and Family Science, MS (53-897) Human Development and Family Science Option (0020) (30 hours)

Human Development and Family Science Program Mission - The mission of the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) graduate program is to prepare highly qualified graduates to work effectively in leadership and direct service positions to promote the well-being of individuals and families in our diverse society. This mission is accomplished through a comprehensive curriculum rooted in theory, research, and evidence-based practices. The program provides professional learning experiences, leadership opportunities, and faculty guidance.

Student Learning Outcomes - Students will graduate with a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science.

Student will:

• Able to use critical thinking skills when working with individuals and families.
• Apply developmentally appropriate practices to promote the optimal development of individuals and families.
• Demonstrate ability to lead and advocate for the improvement of individuals and families with a commitment to ethics.

All Human Development and Family Science graduates will demonstrate competence in the following National Council on Family Relations’ competencies:

• Families and individuals in societal contexts: an understanding of families and their relationship to other institutions, such as educational, governmental, religious, and occupational institutions in society.
• Internal Dynamics of Families: an understanding of family strengths and weaknesses and how family members relate to each other.
• Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan: an understanding of the developmental changes of individuals in families throughout the lifespan.
• Human Sexuality: an understanding of the physiological, psychological, & social aspects of sexual development throughout the lifespan, to achieve healthy sexual adjustment.
• Interpersonal Relationships: An understanding of the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships.
• Family Resource Management: An understanding of the decisions individuals and families make about developing and allocating resources including time, money, material assets, energy, friends, neighbors, and space, to meet their goals.
• Parent Education and Guidance: An understanding of how parents teach, guide and influence children and adolescents as well as the changing nature, dynamics and needs of the parent/child relationship across the lifespan.
• Family Law and Public Policy: An understanding of the legal issues, policies, and law influencing the well-being of families.
• Professional Ethics and Practice: An understanding of the character and quality of human social conduct, and the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional practice.
• Family Life Education Methodology: An understanding of the general philosophy and broad principles of family life education in conjunction with the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate such educational programs.

The degree in Human Development and Family Science consists of 30 credit hours. This program operates under the educational standards of the National Council on Family Relations and the Code of Ethics for Family Life Educators.

Admission requirements and process:  Applicants must be fully admitted by UCM graduate studies and have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants must possess an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.50, or a 3.0 in their major. Applicants should have completed at least nine college credit hours in social or behavioral sciences. Based on transcript analysis, students may be required to complete up to 15 credit hours of background courses in HDFS prior to taking graduate level courses. Applicants must submit a resume, admission essay and three recommendation forms (link provides detailed information) through their Student Portal.  Students are able to apply for the fall, spring or summer semesters.