Academic Programs Catalog

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education degree program combines a basic education in child development and family studies with a broad general education and preparation related to employment in early childhood education settings as early childhood teachers, home visitors, early interventionists, and administrators. The degree, appropriate for students interested in working with young children, ages birth to 8 years, leads to teacher certification for birth to kindergarten in the state of Michigan upon successful completion of the degree requirements and certification requirements of the state of Michigan.

Birth to Kindergarten with Special Education students may elect to add an additional endorsement in Pre-Kindergarten to Third Grade in their programs. Similarly, students in the Pre-Kindergarten to Third grade major may add a Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education endorsement to their programs. Both options lead to teacher certification, pending successful completion of course work and certification requirements.

Students may also pursue early admission into the Child Development master’s program while enrolled as undergraduates via its dual enrollment program (https://hdfs.msu.edu/dual-enrollment).

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education. 
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Child Development and Early Childhood Education: Birth to Kindergarten and Special Education major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 321.  This course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree with the exception of the Interdisciplinary Minor Requirement. 
3. The following requirements for the major:

Graduates will be committed to improving the health and well-being of diverse individuals and families across the lifespan through research, teaching, and professional practice. Recognizing, understanding and addressing the central role of diversity and interdependence among families and communities is a core value of graduates. Students gain knowledge of basic research and the application of research to improving the lives of individuals in the context of the family, the community, and policy. Practical experience in real-world settings is incorporated into the degree program.  Students are prepared to work in community and governmental agencies and organizations that provide human services within changing societies and serve children, youth, and families. Upon graduation, students may apply for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator and with additional work experience they can earn full certification.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development and Family Studies

1. The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Human Development and Family Studies major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 345. This course is referenced in item 3. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major.

   a.	All of the following courses (46 credits):
   	HDFS	145	The Individual, Marriage, and the Family				3
   	HDFS	225	Lifespan Human Development in the Family				3
   	HDFS	270	Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies				4
   	HDFS	345	Principles of Family Studies (W)				3
   	HDFS	414	Parenting				3
   	HDFS	442	Ethnic Families in America				3
   	HDFS	444	Interpersonal Relationships in the Family				3
   	HDFS	445	Human Sexuality				3
   	HDFS	447	Management of Human Service Programs				3
   	HDFS	448	Child and Family Policy				3
   	HDFS	454	Family Financial Management				3
   	HDFS	472	Evaluation of Human Service Programs				3
   	HDFS	481	Research and Quantitative Methods in Human				3
   				Development and Family Studies
   	HDFS	493	Internship				6

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

1. The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Human Development and Family Studies major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 345. This course is referenced in item 3. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following courses (46 credits):
   	HDFS	145	The Individual, Couples and Families						3
   	HDFS	225	Lifespan Human Development in the Family						3
   	HDFS	270	Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies						4
   	HDFS	345	Principles of Family Studies						3
   	HDFS	414	Parenting						3
   	HDFS	442	Ethnic Families in America						3
   	HDFS	444	Interpersonal Relationships in the Family						3
   	HDFS	445	Human Sexuality						3
   	HDFS	447	Management of Human Service Programs						3
   	HDFS	448	Child and Family Policy						3
   	HDFS	454	Family Resource Management						3
   	HDFS	472	Evaluation of Human Service Programs						3
   	HDFS	481	Research and Quantitative Methods in Human Development and Family Studies						3
   	HDFS	493	Internship						6

4. Complete 12 credits in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses from the following list of courses: Fulfillment of this requirement also meets the College of Social Science STEM Graduation Requirement for Bachelor of Science Degree. Courses used to fulfill the STEM requirement may not be used to satisfy any other requirement.

   ANP	206	Introduction to Physical Anthropology						3
   ANTR	350	Human Gross Anatomy for Pre-Health Professionals						3
   BMB	200	Introduction to Biochemistry						4
   BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology						3
   CEM	141	General Chemistry						4
   CEM	143	Survey of Organic Chemistry						3
   CEM	251	Organic Chemistry I						3
   CSUS	200	Introduction to Sustainability						3
   ENT	205	Pests, Society and Environment						3
   EPI	390	Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health						4
   GEO	203	Introduction to Meteorology						3
   GEO	206	Physical Geography						3
   HNF	150	Introduction to Human Nutrition						3
   LB	270	Medical Terminology						2
   MMG	201	Fundamentals of Microbiology						3
   MMG	301	Introductory Microbiology						3
   MTH	124	Survey of Calculus I						3
   MTH	132	Calculus I						3
   NUR	300	Pathophysiology						4
   PHM	350	Introduction to Human Pharmacology						3
   PSL	250	Introductory Physiology						4
   PSL	310	Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals						4
   STT	200	Statistical Methods						3

The Minor in Resource Management from the Individual, Family, and Societal Perspective provides interdisciplinary knowledge from an ecological perspective, preparing students to manage, counsel, and work in a wide range of placements in human service, non-profit and for-profit sectors. The minor also prepares students to be more literate and capable personal money managers. 

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in the College of Social Science. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult their major undergraduate advisor in the College of Social Science.

Requirements for the Minor in Resource Management from the Individual, Family, and Societal Perspective

Students must complete 15 credits from the following:

The program focuses on the behavioral, psychological, biological, and contextual processes that promote positive developmental outcomes in infants and young children. Key contexts of development emphasized in the program include family, early childhood educational settings, and culture. Courses are available in areas such as development across cultures, infant development, language and literacy research and practices, social-emotional development, approaches to early education, parenting, intervention and prevention programs, and child and family policy. Laboratory experiences in early childhood education are available in the Child Development Laboratories, and research experiences are available through work with faculty mentors. Both thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) options 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 Child Development

The Master of Science Degree in Child Development is available under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for Plan A and a total of 32 credits is required for Plan B.

The Master of Arts in Family Community Services, is a collaborative, multi-institutional program offered totally online. This degree is designed to provide a research-based perspective to understand individual, family, interpersonal and community dynamics across the lifespan. Students will acquire knowledge and skills related to the design, implementation, sustainability, and leadership and management of family and community services programs.

The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web by faculty from multiple land-grant universities: Michigan State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Oklahoma State University, and South Dakota State University.

Students will earn this degree from their home institution while also enrolling for courses at other participating institutions.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted, students must apply via their home institution and plan their course of study under the guidance of their academic advisor. Michigan State University students follow established University admission procedures.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Family Community Services

The program is available only online and only under Plan B (without thesis). Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. The student must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 30 credits is course work required by The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:

1. Core courses (30 credit hours):
   Administration and Management of Human Services Programs
   Crises Across the Lifespan
   Family Dynamics
   Family Resource Management
   Foundations and Principles of Family and Community Services
   Interpersonal Relationships
   Lifespan Development
   Parenting Education
   Program Design, Evaluation and Implementation
   Resilience in Families
2. Additional course work (6 credit hours).
   This enrollment will vary at each institution.  At Michigan State University, students will fulfill this requirement by enrolling in course work approved by the student’s academic advisor.
3. Pass a final oral examination or evaluation. This will include a formal presentation by the student on a topic determined by the student and the academic advisor.

Michigan State University students should contact the Department of Human Development and Family Studies or consult the Michigan State University Schedule of Courses for current course schedule and other information.

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 (middle childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood), family diversity, or cultural and community contexts .  Students are prepared to study, 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.

Human Development and Family Studies is the interdisciplinary study of individuals and relationships across the lifespan in diverse contexts of families, communities, and cultures. Ph.D. candidates are prepared to transform the human experience through applied research rooted in social justice.

Doctoral students collaborate with faculty mentors in experiences related to applied research, developing a focal area of scholarship. Each student completes rigorous course work, including research methodology, comprehensive exams, and the dissertation. Student achievements are documented in a professional portfolio throughout the doctoral program.

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Development and Family Studies offers three concentrations from which students may choose. They include:

Child Development: focus on behavioral, psychological, biological, educational, and contextual processes that promote positive developmental outcomes in infants and young children.

Diversity, Youth, and Family Development: focus on developmental processes across life course periods from middle childhood to emerging adulthood within the context of family, community, schools and other environments within a sociocultural context. Particular contexts include attention to immigration, poverty, ethnic/racial socialization and identity, and sexual/gender socialization and identity. Study may focus on one life stage (i.e., middle childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood) or examine an issue (e.g., attachment, chronic illness, discrimination) across multiple periods within the life course. Completing a selection of courses on development in middle childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, cultures, identities, families, parenting or policy,agreed upon by the student and committee members will satisfy the concentration.

Couple and Family Therapy: focus on the application of research and theory to individual, group, couple and family therapy. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Admission to the doctoral program in human development and family studies is based on evidence of academic ability, research potential, leadership qualities, and fit of research interests with potential faculty mentors. Admission to the program assumes a background in the behavioral sciences; collateral course work that does not count toward the doctoral degree may be required where background is inadequate. Students who apply for the Human Development and Family Studies Ph.D. program must participate in an interview with a selected faculty committee. Students are admitted to the degree program in fall semester only.

Child Development: To be admitted to the doctoral program in human development and family studies with child development as the area concentration, an applicant must have completed at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, with a background in the behavioral sciences or related field.

Diversity, Youth, and Family Development: To be admitted to the doctoral program in human development and family studies with diversity, youth, and family development as the area concentration, an applicant must have completed at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, with a background in the behavioral sciences or related field.

Couple and Family Therapy: To be admitted to the doctoral program in human development and family studies with couple and family therapy as the area of concentration, an applicant must have completed a master's degree program with a major in marriage and family therapy or related field.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Human Development and Family Studies

The Master of Arts in Youth Development, is a collaborative, multiinstitutional program offered totally online. This degree is designed to promote an understanding of communities and families and to prepare students to have an impact on the development of youth in their homes, neighborhoods, and society. American youth born since the early 1980s are projected to be the largest, most ethnically diverse generation of adolescents in the history of the United States, and this program is designed to address that demographic shift.

The curriculum is focused on the promotion of positive development of all young people. It is designed for individuals who wish to work in a variety of youth-related professions, including youth-serving organizations and programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs, community recreation specialties, youth programs sponsored by faith-based institutions, correctional professions, or within U.S. Extension Programs.

The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web by faculty from multiple land-grant universities: Michigan State University, University of Missouri, North Dakota State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Nebraska.

Students will earn this degree from their home institution while also enrolling for courses at other participating institutions.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted, students must apply via their home institution and plan their course of study under the guidance of their academic advisor. Michigan State University students follow established University admission procedures.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Youth Development

The program is available only online and only under Plan B (without thesis). Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. Each course is offered at least once every other year. The student must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 27 credits is course work required by The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:

Michigan State University students should contact the Department of Human Development and Family Studies or consult the Michigan State University Schedule of Courses for current course schedule and other information.

The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood and Family Policy, which is administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, is an online program that provides students opportunity to develop essential policy skills including understanding and using data to examine issues of equity, to advocate effectively for constructive policies by using research, and to understand the nuances of the policymaking and implementation processes. 

This innovative program includes four 8-week courses that can be completed in two semesters. Courses are taught primarily asynchronously with some virtual sessions to enhance engagement. In addition, each course includes experiential learning opportunities to promote the development of skills necessary for success upon graduation and enhance the relevance and translation of course work to career. It is intended to meet the needs of individuals who seek introductory graduate training as well as those who have already earned a graduate degree, but who would benefit from academic study of early childhood and family policy.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted, students must apply via their home institution and plan their course of study under the guidance of their academic advisor. Michigan State University students follow established University admission procedures.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood and Family Policy

The program is available only online. Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. Course work required is through The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits from the following:

The Graduate Certificate in Human Services Administration, which is administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, is an online program that provides students with the skills and competencies needed to develop, implement, evaluation, and administer programs designed to enhance family and relationship health and well-being within non-profit or public settings. It is intended to meet the needs of individuals who seek introductory graduate training as well as those who have already earned a graduate degree but would benefit from academic study of human services administration in their current profession. The online format allows flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted, students must apply via their home institution and plan their course of study under the guidance of their academic advisor. Michigan State University students follow established University admission procedures.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Human Services Administration
 
The program is available only online. Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. Course work required is through The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits from the following:

The Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate is designed to assist youth professionals to develop and apply resources for successful implementation and management of youth-serving organizations. The program addresses the need for advanced education based on research and policy for optimal youth outcomes through a strengths-based curriculum.

The online format and course schedule of the certificate program allow flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the World Wide Web at www.gpidea.org.

Admission

To be considered for admission into the Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate applicants must follow established University admission procedures. Students currently pursuing the Master of Arts in Youth Development are not eligible to apply for admission to the Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate. For additional information, refer to the Admission section in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.

Requirements for the Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate

The program is available totally online. The student must complete 12 credits of course work in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA).

The Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate is designed to assist youth professionals to train individuals in the second decade of life with the skills necessary for a successful transition into adulthood. The program addresses the need for advanced education in youth issues and does so through a strengths-based curriculum.

The online format and course schedule of the certificate program allows flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the World Wide Web at www.gpidea.org.

Admission

To be considered for admission into the Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate applicants must follow established University admission procedures. Students currently pursuing the Master of Arts in Youth Development are not eligible to apply for admission to the Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate.  For additional information, refer to the Admission section in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.

Requirements for the Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate

The program is available totally online. The student must complete 12 credits of course work in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA).