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Human Development & Family Science at Kent State Stark

Human Development and Family Science - M.A.

The Human Development and Family Science M.A. program is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the development and functioning of individuals and families across the lifespan. You'll gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a variety of settings, including education, social services, and research. 

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The Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Science at Kent State University provides students with advanced knowledge in the fields of family sciences and human development and the opportunity to develop multidisciplinary research and community outreach skills. 

Graduates are prepared for leadership and teaching positions in the social services, junior and community colleges, cooperative extension, and/or for pursuing doctoral-level study.

The HDFS graduate program allows students to align their capstone experience to meet their professional goals. You can choose to complete a Master’s Project, which offers the opportunity to approach research and theory in an applied manner, or a Master’s Thesis, where you will conduct original research.

Program Information for Human Development and Family Science - M.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Science provides students with advanced knowledge in the fields of family sciences and human development and the opportunity to develop multidisciplinary research and community outreach skills.

Coursework enables students to apply to become Certified Family Life Educators. Courses focus on current research and practice in human development and family science with an emphasis on family theories and processes; family life education; the reciprocal influences of family, school, work and community contexts; development across the lifespan; and the strengths and needs of diverse populations.

The program emphasizes both basic and applied research. Student participation in interdisciplinary research and community outreach projects is encouraged. Graduates are prepared for leadership and teaching positions in the social services, junior and community colleges and cooperative extension and/or for pursuing doctoral-level study.

Admissions for Human Development and Family Science - M.A.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions
Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Identify physical, intellectual, emotional and social dimensions of human life within their respective disciplines; recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families; and apply knowledge of human development and family relationships through involvement with and study of diverse populations.
  2. Communicate their ideas in oral presentations and written papers; demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods and principles of research pertaining to human development and family relationships; and access scholarly sources of information and critically evaluate the quality of empirical research pertaining to human development and family relationships.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in developmental and family research methods and relevant statistical analyses; and understand program development, delivery and evaluation pertaining to human development and family relationships.
  4. Understand the interrelationship between theory, research and practice.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
EPSY 65523LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT 3
HDF 64023FAMILY THEORIES AND PROCESSES 3
HDF 64024FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION 3
HDF 64026PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 2
RMS 65510STATISTICS I FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 3
RMS 65511RESEARCH IN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 3
Suggested Focus Area Electives, choose from the following:9
ARCH 55640
DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OLDER ADULTS
BSCI 50020
BIOLOGY OF AGING
GERO 54030
ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING
GERO 61191
INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINAR IN GERONTOLOGY
HDF 54020
ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
HDF 54023
BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTHS
HDF 54028
PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS
HDF 54029
FAMILY POLICY
HDF 54037
POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
HDF 54038
PROFESSIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH WORK PRACTICE
HDF 54039
BEREAVEMENT, TRAUMA AND OTHER LOSSES
HDF 64027
EARLY ADOLESCENCE
HDF 64092
PRACTICUM IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE
PHIL 50005
HEALTH CARE ETHICS
SOC 52010
DEATH AND DYING
SOC 62877
SOCIOLOGY OF AGING AND THE LIFE COURSE
Other related courses with approval of advisor
Culminating Requirement
Choose from the following:6
HDF 61099
MASTER'S PROJECT 1
HDF 61199
THESIS I 2
Minimum Total Credit Hours:32
1

The master's project is intended for students who do not plan to continue graduate work beyond the master's degree, and provides the opportunity to approach research and theory in a more applied manner. The presentation and interpretation of original research is not required. However, approval of the intended project by the student's master's project committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the master's project committee.

2

The thesis is intended for research-oriented students and is designed to provide the opportunity to conduct original research. Approval of a thesis proposal by the student's thesis committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the thesis committee.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Master's Thesis Information

As part of the requirements for the M.A. in HDFS, students may select either the Master's Project or Master's Thesis option.

The master’s project track is intended for students who do not plan to continue graduate work beyond the Master's degree, and provides the opportunity to approach research and theory in a more applied manner. The presentation and interpretation of original research is not required. For the master’s project option, students complete a project that will enhance their professional goals. The role of the master’s project advisor is to guide the student with identifying relevant areas of investigation and to assist the student in successfully completing the master’s project.

The thesis track is intended for research-oriented students and is designed to provide the opportunity to conduct original research. The thesis is recommended for students who intend to continue in graduate school beyond the master's level. Approval of a thesis proposal by the student's thesis committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the thesis committee.

Approval of the proposed project or thesis by the student's master's committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by their committee. The College of EHHS's deadline for master's projects and theses must be adhered to by students. Students should allow a minimum of at least two semesters for completion of the project or thesis. The thesis or project proposal must be approved by the student's committee no later than the Friday of the first week of classes in the semester the student intends to graduate. The deadline for the oral defense is generally the tenth week of the semester in which the student is planning to graduate.

Review thesis and project deadlines

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Human Development and Family Science - M.A.

Graduates of Kent State University's Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Science are prepared for various careers in the industry, including roles in management, consulting, and specialized fields.

Farm and home management educators

-3.9%

decline

10,400

number of jobs

$51,550

potential earnings

Survey researchers

-3.7%

decline

12,200

number of jobs

$59,870

potential earnings

Instructional coordinators

5.9%

faster than the average

192,900

number of jobs

$66,970

potential earnings

Additional Careers
  • Family life educator
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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