College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes

Examples of Possible Careers*

Additional Careers

• Family life educator

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Kelly Cichy | kcichy@kent.edu | 330-672-2449
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Fully Offered

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Admission Terms

• Fall
• Spring
• Summer

_*Note

^{Source of occupation titles and labor data is 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.}

Description

The Master of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Studies 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 studies 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.

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) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score

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

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.
2. Identify ways to contribute to quality of human life within their respective disciplines.
3. Participate in quality developmental and family research and outreach within their respective disciplines.
4. Identify practical implications of human development and family relationship concepts.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of program development, delivery and evaluation pertaining to human development and family relationships.
6. Access scholarly sources of information and critically evaluate the quality of empirical research pertaining to human development and family relationships.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods and principles of research pertaining to human development and family relationships.
8. Effectively communicate their ideas in oral presentations and written papers.
9. Demonstrate proficiency in developmental and family research methods and relevant statistical analyses.
10. Independently complete a master's thesis or master's project that reflects an understanding of the interrelationship between theory, research, and practice.
11. Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families.
12. Apply knowledge of human development and family relationships through involvement with and study of diverse domestic and international populations.
13. Identify opportunities to make a contribution in the field of human development and family studies.
14. Demonstrate knowledge of professional organizations in the field of human development and family studies.
15. Define a specific focus area of interest within the field of human development and family studies, and utilize course assignments and independent learning opportunities to develop and demonstrate expertise in this area.
16. Demonstrate leadership skills through participation in classroom learning activities and taking initiative for expanding one's own learning.
17. Identify opportunities for advanced training and certification in human development and family studies and related professions.
18. Identify opportunities for employment in human development and family studies and related professions.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

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.