Master's in Family and Consumer Sciences
Department of Family & Consumer Sciences
Human Development and Family Sciences Emphasis
Online Program
The Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) with a Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) focus is designed for professionals currently working in human services fields who would like further education.
Benefits of the Master’s program in FCS with a HDFS focus include:
- One-on-one advising with a HDFS faculty member
- Small, personalized, courses taught by HDFS faculty members
- Courses that connect practice, research and theory through innovative online design
- Elective courses that allow a student to develop knowledge in an area of interest, facilitating professional and career goals
- No requirement to come to campus
- Affordable tuition rates
- Increased career and/or advancement opportunities
Prepare for careers in research, teaching, direct service and outreach with individuals and families across the lifespan.
Job opportunities for graduates include:
- Positions with family support and intervention programs such as
- Social service agencies (e.g., family resource center, family violence centers, health centers, mental health centers, community support programs, volunteer centers, non-profit organizations)
- Child centers (e.g., before and after school programs, child care centers and preschools)
- School-based intervention programs
- Adolescent programs and centers (e.g., juvenile detention
- centers, group homes, youth programs)
- Elderly programs
- Policy analyst
- Governmental positions with local, state, national, and international agencies such as
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Administration for Children and Families
- Administration on Aging
- Department of Education
- Department of Health
- Military Services
- Parks and Recreation
- Community Development
- Educator
- Community colleges
- Colleges and universities
- University Extension
- Higher education administrator (e.g., for admissions, student life, housing)
- Researcher with a public or private agency or institution
- Program evaluator
Coursework
Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours for a Master's degree.
Required courses
- Families Across the Lifespan
- Developmental Contexts Across the Lifespan
- Positive Youth Development
- Families and Aging
- Program Evaluation
- Intro to Research or Action Research
- HDFS Capstone Experience
Potential electives
- Families of Young Children with Special Needs
- Directing Preschool and Day Care Programs
- Family Decision Making and Resource Management
- Understanding Community Leadership
- Family Policy
- Family Stress and Coping
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