The Master of Science (MS) degree in child and family studies offers a concentration that focuses on research and application and a concentration for teacher licensure (PreK–3).

In general, the MS provides a broad foundation for understanding how children develop and how families function in today’s society. All master’s degree candidates enroll in CFS foundation courses, which include theoretical and empirical surveys of the human development, child development, and family science literatures as well as a survey of methods of discovery used in child and family research. Master’s students are expected to engage in productive research culminating in a thesis or project. 

As part of the application process, students elect to concentrate in either child and family studies or early childhood education. The latter concentration is ordinarily restricted to students currently enrolled in the undergraduate fifth-year licensure program.