The College of Human Sciences offers a Master of Family and Consumer Sciences (MFSC) degree (non-thesis). Students may choose a specialization from the various departments within the college. The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) offers these MFCS specializations:

• MFCS – Family financial planning (online)
• MFCS – Youth development (online)
• MFCS – Gerontology (online)
• MFCS – Human Development and Family Studies (campus-based, see below)

Master of Family and Consumer Sciences Degree with a Specialization in Human Development and Family Studies (Non-Thesis)

The Master of Family and Consumer Sciences degree specialization track in HDFS provides students with the opportunity to enhance their background knowledge and skills for working with children and families. Specifically, the objectives of this track allow students to:

• Obtain knowledge of basic theory and research methods in human development and family studies
• Acquire basic tools in statistics for informed consumption of research

A variety of opportunities exist for employment in human service agencies, child care centers, intervention programs, outreach, personal and financial resource management, and careers related to housing needs. Each program is individualized to optimize the existing background of the student for further development and expansion of skills and knowledge. Students with backgrounds in child/human development, family studies, education, psychology, sociology, and economics may find a good fit in the department for their academic goals. The requirements for the MFCS degree with program in human development and family studies includes 19 credits in theories and research methods and 18 credits in other HDFS courses. A written final exam is also required.