Undergraduate Degree

Human Development and Family Studies - Master of Science

Program:
Human Development and Family Studies - Master of Science
Plan Code:
HUMANDE_MS
Program Level:
Graduate
Award Type:
Master of Science
College:
College of Social Science
Department:
Human Development and Family Studies


Excerpt from the official Academic Programs Catalog:

Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.


College of Social Science

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Graduate Study
Human Development and Family Studies - Master of Science

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. 

All international applicants and applicants whose native language is not English must be able to provide evidence of English language proficiency. Please see the MSU Policy on English Language Competency for accepted tests and acceptable scores.

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 (9 credits):
HDFS 810 Theories of Human Development 3
HDFS 880 Research Design and Measurement 3
A course in diversity, approved by committee 3
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. The following course (3 credits):
HDFS 881 Quantitative Methods in Human Development 3
2. Complete 12 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. One of the following courses (3 credits):
HDFS 481 Research and Quantitative Methods in Human Development and Family Studies 3
HDFS 881 Quantitative Methods in Human Development 3
2. Complete 18 credits chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.