Academic Programs Catalog

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.

Requirements for Plan A
1.	All of the following courses (a minimum of 12 credits):
	HDFS	810	Theories of Human Development						3
	HDFS	811	Child Development: Ecological Perspectives						3
	HDFS	821	Prevention, Intervention and Educational Programs in  Early Childhood						3
	HDFS	892	Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies						1 to 4
2.	Both of the following courses approved by the student’s advisor (6 credits):
	A 3 credit research methodology course
	A 3 credit quantitative methods course
3.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	HDFS	826	Social-Emotional Development Birth to Eight Years: Biology, Relationships, and Culture						3
	HDFS	827	Language and Literacy Development from Infancy to Formal Schooling						3
4.	An additional elective course approved by the student’s advisor.
5.	Complete 6 credits of HDFS 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
Requirements for Plan B
1.	The following course (3 credits):
	HDFS	811	Child Development: Ecological Perspectives						3
2.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	HDFS	449	Special Needs Children and Their Families						3
	HDFS	825	Families with Special Needs Children: An Ecological Perspective						3
3.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	HDFS	414	Parenting						3
	HDFS	892	Seminar in Human Development and Family Studies						3
	HDFS 892 must be approved by the student’s advisor to assure appropriate content.
4.	The following course (3 credits):
	HDFS	847	Theories of the Family						3
5.	All of the following courses (14 credits):
	HDFS	817	Advanced Practice in Infant and Toddler Early Childhood Programming						3
	HDFS	818	Advanced Curricular Adaptations in Diverse Early Childhood Environments						3
	HDFS	819	Advanced Teaching Practicum in an Early Childhood Program						4
	HDFS	822	Assessment of the Young Child						3
	HDFS	894	Laboratory and Field Experience						1
6.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
	HDFS	473	Administration of Early Childhood Programs						3
	HDFS	821	Prevention, Intervention and Educational Programs in Early Childhood Education						3

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.

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.

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

Students in the doctoral program in human development and family studies are required to complete the following:
1.	The following course:
	HDFS	901	Contemporary Scholarship in Human Development and Family Studies						3
2.	Completion of 21 credits in methodology and statistics course work as approved by the student’s academic advisor.
3.	Completion of 24 credits in HDFS 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
4.	Completion of one of the concentrations noted below.
5.	Successfully pass the comprehensive examination.
6.	Successfully defend the doctoral dissertation.
7.	One of the following concentrations:
	Child Development
	Complete all of the following (15 credits):
	HDFS	826	Social-Emotional Development Birth to Eight Years: Biology, Relationships, and Culture						3
	HDFS	827	Language and Literacy Development from Infancy to Formal Schooling						3
	An additional 9 credits of course work chosen in consultation with the student’s guidance committee.
	Couple and Family Therapy
	Complete all of the following (18 credits):
	HDFS	888	Diverse Families and Communities: Interventions and Strategies						3
	HDFS	903	Evidence-Based Couple and Family Therapy Intervention Programs						3
	HDFS	910	Contemporary Couple and Family Therapy Theories						3
	HDFS	911	Outcome Research: What Works in Couple and Family Therapy Theories						3
	HDFS	994	Advanced Evidence-Based Couple Therapy						3
	HDFS	995	Couple and Family Therapy Supervision						3
	Clinical Requirements (3 to 12 credits):
	HDFS	993	Internship						3 to 12
	Doctoral students are required to complete a total of 1,000 hours of direct client contact before graduating (pre-doctoral and doctoral hours combined).
	The Couple and Family Therapy Program at Michigan State University has been accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Students entering the doctoral concentration in Couple and Family Therapy will be required to meet equivalent of the master’s Standard Curriculum of the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
	Diversity, Youth, and Family Development
	Complete all of the following (12 to 15 credits):
	HDFS	847	Theories of the Family						3
	A course in diversity chosen in consultation with the student’s guidance committee								3
	An additional 6 to 9 credits of course work chosen in consultation with the student’s guidance committee.

 

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:

1.	All of the following core courses (27 credits):
	Adolescents and Their Families								3
	Consumers of Research								3
	Foundations of Youth Development								3
	Personnel and Program Management								3
	Positive Youth Development in Community Settings								3
	Program Design and Evaluation								3
	Youth Development								3
	Youth-Adult Partnerships								3
	Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development								3
2.	Complete 9 credits of electives from the following:
	Adolescent Health and Sexuality								3
	Grant and Administration								3
	Youth, Sports, and Society								3
	Youth, Families, and Technology								3
	Youth and Complex Social Systems								3
	Youth Culture								3
	Youth Mental Health								3
	This enrollment will vary at each institution and may require a master’s thesis, project, or practicum. 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 examination or evaluation.

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:

All of the following courses:
History, Child Development and Equity									3
Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues									3
Theory, Analysis, and Research									3
Policy, Leadership, and Policy Advocacy									3

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 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:

1.	All of the following courses (9 credits):
	Grant Development and Management								3
	Program Administration and Management								3
	Program Design, Evaluation, and Implementation								3
2.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	Resilience in Families								3
	Family Crisis Intervention								3
	Family Dynamics and Intervention								3

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 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).

1.	All of the following core courses (9 credits):
	Foundations of Youth Development								3
	Personnel and Program Management								3
	Program Design and Evaluation								3
2.	Complete 3 credits of electives from the following courses:
	Grant and Administration								3
	Positive Youth Development in Community Settings								3
	Youth and Complex Social Systems								3
	Youth Mental Health								3
	Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development								3

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).

1.	Two of the following Core Courses (6 credits)
	Foundations of Youth Development								3
	Youth Development								3
2.	Complete 6 credits of electives from the following courses:
	Adolescents and Their Families								3
	Adolescent Health and Sexuality								3
	Consumers of Research								3
	Positive Youth Development in Community Settings								3
	Youth, Sports, and Society								3
	Youth, Families, and Technology								3
	Youth-Adult Partnerships								3
	Youth and Complex Social Systems								3
	Youth Culture								3
	Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development								3