Our mission is to foster an interdisciplinary scholarly environment that enables early childhood professionals, family service providers, and researchers in the field of family and child study to: cultivate and disseminate systematic information and grounded knowledge about the diverse nature of families in contemporary societies; and understand and critically respond to the dynamic complexities of human development across the lifespan foster leadership in addressing the multiple facets of early childhood development.

Family Life Education is an interdisciplinary field of study that draws from various disciplines such as psychology, education, sociology, communications, law and public policy, economics, theology, and home management. It provides an understanding of human development, family systems, and interpersonal relationships. Graduates will be equipped to provide instruction and guidance to others in the subjects of marriage, parenting, family dynamics, and human relations. This program will also equip graduates to build healthy marriages and families in their own personal lives.

The Family Studies and Social Work Department (FSW) is committed to the advancement of scientific knowledge pertaining to communities, families, children, adolescents, and the elderly. FSW seeks to apply that knowledge for the fulfillment of human potential through the prevention, treatment, and amelioration of social problems, and a focus on family strengths. Recognizing the complexities of contemporary, globalized society, the department dedicates itself to undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service. In this endeavor, the department is committed to the promotion of values, ethics, and competency by advocating for a society that respects the dignity and achievement of all communities, families, and individuals.

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) prepares students for careers that focus on improving the quality of life of individuals and families. FCS offers baccalaureate degrees in Child Development and Family Studies, Fashion Merchandising and Design, Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Consumer Sciences. FCS offers the Masters of Arts in Teaching in:  Child Development Early Education and Family Studies (BK Licensure) and Family and Consumer Sciences Education.  FCS also offers a Masters in Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences.NCA&TSU students earning the Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Studies (CDFS) are eligible to use the Abbreviated Application for Certification in Family Life Education. During their studies, CDFS students are given a broad understanding of human development across the lifespan, family systems, parent-child relations, family financial planning, human resources management, and appropriate living environments. Academic training includes multiple field experiences and internships at our 5-Star Child Development Laboratory, and other institutions comprising childcare and early childhood settings, youth-programs, family serving agencies, military installations, and faith-based organizations. Leadership skills are developed through student involvement in department-based student organizations and participation in professional conferences. Graduates of the CDFS program are employed in settings including education, family service, Cooperative Extension, religion, healthcare, special-needs, military, and other industries involved in child development and family life education.

The Department offers comprehensive programs that cover all aspects of families throughout the life cycle: infancy, childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, midlife, and aging. The goal of the department is to provide an educational experience that promotes the integration of knowledge and professional practice from the fields of human development and family science. Primary objectives are to prepare researchers and scholars to generate knowledge about individual and family development and behavior over the life span, as well as educate professionals who will provide educational, counseling, and advocacy services needed for children and families to function more effectively. The department includes a marriage and family therapy clinic, a child development lab, and an extensive outreach program along with a considerable portfolio of funded research. This scientist-practitioner model reflects the goals of The University of Georgia, a flagship, Research I, land-grant institution integrating research and its application to enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

The mission of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is to enhance the development of resilient families, businesses, and communities. By improving people's human, social, and economic capital, significant improvements can be made in the promotion of resilient human development over the life course and the quality of life in diverse families throughout Hawai'i and the Pacific Basin communities.

Family Resources (FamR) is a Bachelor's of Science degree program that provides students with an ecological systems approach that focuses upon the development of resiliency and nurturing of strengths in human and family development, and family resource management for Asian and Pacific Islander and multicultural families in diverse communities. The FamR curriculum provides students with a multitude of experiences through their coursework, community projects and internships that provide a foundation for working with diverse families and communities. The Family Resource curriculum provides students with the knowledge and professional skills needed for graduate studies, careers in educational and community settings, or family and human service agencies.
 

HDFS is committed to the well-being and healthy development of individuals and families. Faculty are social and behavioral scientists and practitioners with training across several disciplines, engaging in classroom and community teaching, multidisciplinary research, and outreach collaborations. Faculty address critical issues facing children and families in society. Individual faculty members have expertise in diverse and specific areas of study, such as the study of grief, family economics, early education, intergenerational interactions, and development during infancy, early childhood, adolescence, and older adulthood. The program's work aligns with federal and state foci on our nation's most vulnerable members infants and young children, at-risk youth, families in poverty, individuals with disabilities, immigrant families, the frail elderly, cultural minorities, and the disenfranchised. Through innovative outreach, the program seeks to improve professional and public efforts to understand risk and protective factors in the lives of children, youth, families, and communities that impact healthy functioning.

This program examines the ways people grow and develop, form relationships and families, and learn to cope with the common and uncommon events of life. The program integrates developmental and ecological systems perspectives. Students learn basic and applied concepts of human development and acquire skills in working with individuals and families of different ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings. Field experience is required of all students.

Human Development and Family Studies is also available as a major concentration for students in the Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and Physical Education licensure programs, and as a minor available to students across the university.

The department's mission is to provide integrative educational programs and conduct research focused on reciprocal relationships among individuals, families, and their near environment toward the goal of improving the quality of life within a dynamic world community.

The mission of the Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) Degree Program is to train persons with theological/spiritual commitments to become marriage and family therapists competent to practice in a diverse, multicultural and interfaith world. Marriage and Family Therapy is framed as a professional expression of the church's ministry of pastoral care and counseling. Individuals trained in the MAMFT program gain theoretical and practical tools to work as comprehensive mental health providers in a broad range of treatment contexts with careful attention to human, family and cultural diversity.  To this end, the MAMFT program is built on a foundation of the following five Professional Marriage and Family Therapy Principles:  the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Educational Guidelines, the AAMFT Core Competencies, the AAMFT Code of Ethics, the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board's (AMFTRB) Examination Domains, Task Statements and Knowledge Statements, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Statutes. 

The Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) program at the University of Winnipeg is The MMFT program is one of the few programs in Canada that offers a master's degree to prepare students for careers as marriage and family therapists. The program is known for its academic and clinical rigor, training students to work within a systemic/relational framework.

The Master of Marriage and Family Therapy is a clinical degree. It is a non-thesis program with courses that provides students with a theoretical framework for their clinical work. The MMFT Program of study consists of 63 credit hours (59 required and four elective credits). Supervised Marriage and Family Therapy courses (i.e., practicum) make up 24 of the 63 credit hours in the Program. Students are required to provide 500 hours of therapy under supervision in order to graduate with a Master's degree. The usual ratio is around 2 hours of supervision for every 5 hours of therapy. Most of these hours are completed at Aurora Family Therapy Centre, located on the University of Winnipeg campus. During the last year of practicum, students are required to take Graduate Seminar. This course combines their learning across the degree and provides a capstone experience in the final paper. Students research and articulate their own integrated theory of therapy with examples from their client work.

The Department of Professional Psychology and Family Therapy in the College of Education and Human Services at Seton Hall University contains two Marriage and Family Therapy programs (M.S.and Ed.S.). The Master's of Science (M.S.) and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) programs in Marriage and Family Therapy are both part and full-time study opportunities for persons interested in pursuing a career in marriage and family therapy. The M.S. is a 60 credit hour specialization designed to prepare beginning level professionals by providing a firm theoretical foundation and intensive clinical training with a diversity of individuals, couples, and families. The M.S. also meets the educational requirements for licensure as a clinical alcohol and drug counselor in New Jersey. The Ed.S. program is a 39 credit hour specialization designed for professionals who possess a master's degree in a related field and who would like to specialize in MFT. Both programs are nationally accredited by AAMFTs Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).  The M.S.and Ed.S., are designed to meet the academic requirements for New Jersey Licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. The faculty consists of AAMFT Approved Supervisors and licensed MFTs who are highly knowledgeable and passionate about their work with couples and families. 

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), in the School of Health and Human Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service regarding human development and close relationships across the lifespan. Our objectives are to educate the next generation of HDFS professionals and scholars, to generate new knowledge, and to foster the well-being of individuals and families in their everyday lives.

As a premier HDFS department, we focus on the following areas: early care and education; child, youth, and family development; aging. Undergraduates can prepare for birth through kindergarten teacher licensure (as can our MEd graduate students) or focus on children's and adolescents' development in their diverse cultural, school, and family contexts. M.S. and doctoral students examine the biological, relational, early educational, social, and cultural foundations of development and their implications for families. The emphasis on "culture" includes not only different societies, but also within-society cultural groups, such as racial/ethnic and social class groups. We are committed to interdisciplinary study, diversity, and internationalization. Department Mission: The Department of Human Development and Family Studies seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals across the lifespan within their diverse and changing relationships, families, social networks, and communities in varying contexts through (1) exceptional research and scholarship, (2) outstanding teaching and mentoring to prepare the next generation of professionals, and (3) active community engagement and intervention.

The Department of Behavioral Sciences and Family Studies seeks to assist students in understanding human behavior and criminal behavior, child development, family relations and societal and cultural changes. In addition, the Department seeks to prepare students with intellectual and vocational skills to function in a variety of professional service occupations.

The family relations and human development graduate program is committed to the study, generation and application of research on human development, and the influences of family dynamics on development across the life course. Students are expected to undertake a program of study that develops a broad and sophisticated understanding of normal and dysfunctional development and/or family functioning. The aim is to prepare scholars and professionals with a perspective that is not only multidisciplinary but that also integrates theory, research, and the application of knowledge for the enhancement of individual or family development. The faculty represents a variety of academic backgrounds and professional expertise encompassing human development, sociology, psychology, early childhood education, family relations, gerontology, social work, and couple and family therapy.

An inter-disciplinary study of the family that integrates psychological, sociological, family science, legal, educational and theological perspectives which serve as the foundation for equipping church and other professionals to develop lifespan family education in various contexts. An emphasis is placed upon the development of competencies and applications of family science and related disciplines in one's ministry or work-world as well as identification of resources that will lead to the strengthening of families through educational resources, events and programs.

The programs in Child and Family Studies are designed to prepare individuals for professional roles working with young children, parents, and families in a variety of settings. CFS students may obtain licensure in Early Childhood Education -Birth-Grade 3 at the undergraduate level, Early Childhood Special Education, and Parent Education at the graduate level. The department believes that children should be studied within the context of their family and community. The department combines the study of early childhood and early childhood special education, parent education and family studies in an integrated manner. This allows networking of professionals in different practice areas and a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding children and families. This integration of students from different areas is unique and is a widely recognized strength of the department.

The mission of Central’s Child and Family Development program is to prepare highly qualified graduates to work effectively with individuals and families in our diverse and multi-faceted society, which in turn, improves the quality of life for individuals and families. This mission will be accomplished through comprehensive curriculum rooted in sound theoretical framework and contemporary research, hands-on professional learning experiences with children and families in varied settings, strong support and valuable guidance, and leadership opportunities.

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program provides a solid foundation for practice as a marriage and family therapist. This program meets the educational requirements for licensure in California and is one of the only seven programs in the sstate that is accredited by the Commission on Accredidation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE). The program includes a substantial practicum component in which the students spend on full year working under the supervision of licensed mental health professionals in a state-of-the-art onsite therapy training clinic. Students in this program complete a minimum of 60 credits.

The University of Montevallo Family & Consumer Sciences program was not only the first program of its kind in the State of Alabama, but was also one of the first programs in the entire Southeast to achieve accreditation through the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Our curriculum has pioneered fields including vocational and retail home economics, institutional management, as well as child development throughout the state and region. Further, our program empowers individuals and families across the lifespan to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse global society. If you are interested in pursuing a degree in this strongly interdisciplinary and highly practical, field, the University of Montevallo is the right place!

The mission of the Counseling Programs at Barry University is to provide education and training in clinical assessment, leadership, and counseling practice. Consistent with this mission is the goal of graduating ethical professionals with expert knowledge and skills in counseling practice. The Counseling Programs espouse the four core values set forth in the mission of the Adrian Dominican School of Education and Barry University: knowledge and truth, inclusive community, social justice, and collaborative service. Our Programs are communities of learners in which the study, development, and improvement of effective practice is promoted through scholarly and critical analysis. The Programs foster an inclusive academic atmosphere that encourages collaboration, respect, and sharing of ideas. In keeping with the importance of diversity and multiculturalism, the Programs expect students to accept social responsibility and place value on the function of social justice in the curriculum and society. The Programs are also committed to offering services to communities for various human, social, economic, and environmental problems.

The 60-unit graduate program in counseling offers two professional training options: Option I prepares students for Community Counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure) and Option II prepares students for School Counseling (Pupil Personnel Services Credential). The program relies heavily on interpersonal skills training and field experience, beginning during the first semester and culminating with an intensive supervised internship/field experience.

The School of Health Promotion and Human Development will help you understand your discipline and apply what you learn to the challenges you'll face when you graduate. You will have the opportunity to become a professional in a challenging and dynamic field creating healthier living patterns for the citizens of Wisconsin, our nation, and the world. We offer undergraduate programs in Dietetics, Health Promotion/Wellness and Family and Consumer Science (FCS). The FCS program offers two career options, the Child, Youth & Family Studies option and the Teacher Education option. Both programs lead students toward professions that help youth and adults build strong families, address family challenges and responsibilities, and prepare for family and consumer-related careers. Along with our master's degree in Community & Organizational Leadership, we offer a graduate level teaching licensure in Family & Consumer Sciences designed to prepare students to teach FCS in grades 6-12. Unique strengths of the program is an emphasis on professional development as well as global competence. For example, many students participate in diverse service learning opportunities such as the special needs orphanages of Romania, Mexico, or China. Engaging in community development in Cameroon, Africa, serving in the Community Learning Centers of Rural Nicaragua, or providing summer camps to children of the Lakota Reservation.

The Master of Family Therapy Graduate Program at Mercer University School of Medicine is offered in two locations, Macon and Atlanta, Georgia. It is designed to prepare family therapists to work with families, couples, and individuals in a wide variety of work settings including, but not limited to, hospitals, community mental health centers, substance abuse treatment centers, and private practice. The program is structured to meet the academic and experiential requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in the state of Georgia, and to prepare students for the National Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (AMFTRB). Since the mid 1980's, the Macon campus has been training family therapists to work as members of integrated healthcare teams. Initial accreditation was awarded to the Macon campus of the program in 1997, and in 2009 an additional campus was opened and accredited in the Atlanta area. Mercer University's MFT Program is one of only three program in Georgia accredited by COAMFTE.

Program Mission: The Mercer University School of Medicine Masters of Family Therapy (MFT) program mission is to transform MFT and medical students into competent, compassionate and ethical professionals who work collaboratively to meet the needs of individuals, couples, families and communities, including the rural and underserved. Emphasizing interactive and case-based teaching strategies, our student-centered faculty provides a conceptual and practical foundation that equips graduates to be discerning consumers and innovative producers of knowledge across a variety of medical and other clinical settings, as well as academic institutions. This foundation prepares clinicians to articulate and utilize a wide variety of philosophical perspectives, theoretical orientations, and clinical modalities, all with sensitivity and responsiveness to diverse contextual factors that impact therapist and client systems, as well as institutions and communities in which they participate. Through scholarship and clinical outreach, students and faculty work closely to have local, regional, national, and global impact.