Family & Child Sciences

The Master's program focuses on family processes and empirically supported relational interventions. Our research, teaching, and service activities address three areas:

• Relationship development and enhancement in young adults, couples, and families
• Distressed families and relational interventions
• The link between parenting processes and relational outcomes

Our goal is to prepare students with advanced knowledge to tackle contemporary social problems affecting children, couples, and families and to apply best practice solutions. Some cap their coursework with an internship and special project. Others complete a research project (thesis) and use this degree as the first step to a doctorate in Family Relations.

The knowledge gained results in positions as supervisors, administrators and consultants in human service agencies, government departments, and childcare facilities, and as advocates for family- and child-friendly policies.

Not yet ready to apply?  For more information about our graduate programs, please submit an inquiry here.

Departmental Application Deadlines:

• March 1 (Summer enrollment)
• July 1 (Fall enrollment)
• November 1 (Spring enrollment)

Application Process

1.  Apply Online.

• Upload a personal statement outlining one's professional goals and research interests. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the research interests of the faculty in your area so that your letter can specifically address the faculty member(s) with whom you would be interested in working.
• Upload three letters of recommendation.

2.  Submit official GRE scores (verbal,quantitative, and written) and official transcripts to the Office of Admissions.

Looking for a master’s program in marriage and family therapy?

The Family and Child Sciences Department does NOT offer a master’s degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Students cannot  be admitted to our doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy without having completed the requirements of the clinical master's degree.

The best way to find an accredited master’s programs in MFT is to go to http://www.aamft.org/, click on Commission on Accreditation, and then click on Accredited Programs. A listing of every program in the U.S. and Canada that is accredited by the Commission on Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) will appear at this website. There is a good deal of difference between programs, despite similar curricula, so we encourage prospective students interested in these degree programs to talk with the designated Program Director to determine fit.

Registration Information for Current Students

Please read the Graduate Student Registration Procedure (pdf 22.93 kB) for detailed instructions on how to register.