COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is a graduate program designed to prepare students for advanced professional practice and leadership roles serving children, adults, couples, and families, as well as for doctoral study in related disciplines. All students, regardless of concentration, begin with a common 12-credit-hour program core that provides foundational training in lifespan development, family systems, research methodology, and statistical analysis. This core includes Lifespan Human Development (HD 500), Dynamics of Family Relationships (HD 562), Research Methods (HES 509), and Statistical Methods in Education (BER 540), ensuring that students develop a strong theoretical and analytical base for advanced study and applied work. Beyond the core, students choose among three program pathways: a general HDFS M.S. degree without a concentration, or specialized concentrations in Marriage and Family Therapy or Child Life, each designed to support distinct career directions in clinical, healthcare, educational, or family service settings. After completing core coursework, students must select either a thesis or a comprehensive exam option as their culminating experience. The thesis option is research-intensive and requires 9 credit hours of additional coursework, 6 credit hours of Thesis Research (HD 599), and an approved advanced statistics course, for a total of 21 credit hours beyond the core, allowing students to develop independent research skills and contribute new knowledge to the field. In contrast, students selecting the comprehensive exam option complete 18 additional credit hours beyond the core and demonstrate mastery of program content through examination rather than a formal thesis. Across all pathways, the program emphasizes a lifespan ecological perspective that recognizes human development within diverse family and community contexts, while also providing experiential learning opportunities through research engagement and applied experiences. Overall, the HDFS M.S. program integrates theory, research, and practice to prepare graduates for impactful careers and further academic advancement.