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Nov 25, 2024
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2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Child Development and Family Science MS, Family Science Specialization
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 Return to: Degrees and Certificates Offered
Students in the Child Development and Family Science MS can specialize in one of two areas: Family Science or Child Life.
The Family Science specialization involves the study of families and close interpersonal relationships to understand the dynamics of families in a changing society and the role of family interaction in individual development and well-being. Family Science emphasizes a systems perspective in helping families build healthy relationships and preventing problems before they occur. During the program, students engage in a multi-quarter practicum experience to apply classroom learning to practice and conduct original research related to child development and family science. Graduates are prepared for advanced positions in community social and human service agencies including in early intervention programs, the child welfare system, early childhood learning centers, and other organizations that serve the needs of children and families.
Family Science students can choose to pursue certification through the National Council on Family Relations to become Certified Family Life Educators and will work with their advisor to ensure they complete all required coursework.
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Child Development and Family Science Core
The Child Development and Family Science MS degree includes an advanced interdisciplinary study of interpersonal and family relationships. The graduate program has a strong emphasis on community involvement, practical application and research.
Students choose from two specializations, either Child Life or Family Science. The Child Life specialization prepares students to pursue internship and certification through the Association of Child Life Professionals as a child life specialist. Child life specialists help children and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, loss, and bereavement. The Family Science specialization prepares students to work in a variety of social and human services positions with children and families or pursue doctoral study in child development and family science.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, including a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all coursework attempted in the last 90 quarter (60 semester) hours of academic work.
Graduation Requirements
All students will complete 49 credits in the graduate program before completing the final culminating experience. As a culminating experience, students will complete a thesis, research project or comprehensive examination. The number of required credits of FCL 700 varies depending on the students’ choice for final project: Thesis (6 credits), research project (4 credits), or examination (2 credits).
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Conceptualize and design a research project to answer a specific research question related to children or families.
- Demonstrate abstract and critical thinking skills in applying Family Systems concepts to family problems and interventions.
- Critically evaluate contemporary empirical literature in child development and family science.
- Demonstrate effective communication and self-efficacy in professional human service settings.
- Demonstrate proficiency at presenting research related to child development and family science in both visual and oral formats.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze quantitative data, review, understand, and interpret output from statistical analyses related to child development and family science and draw appropriate conclusions .
- Conduct a predictive developmental assessment taking into account family and community context and demographic, cultural, and structural processes.
Total Core Credits: 36-40
Family Science Specialization
Required Course Credits: (8)
Department-Approved Electives Credits: (8)
Total Specialization Credits: 16
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Return to: Degrees and Certificates Offered
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