Master of Science Degree
M.S. in CFS • Ph.D. in CFS • Applications • Assistantships • Graduate Courses • Graduate Handbook
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Child and Family Studies provides a broad foundation for understanding how children develop and how families function in today's society. All master's candidates enroll in CFS foundation courses which include theoretical and empirical surveys of the human development, child development, and family science literatures plus a survey of methods of discovery used in child and family research. All M.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 at the University of Tennessee.
Child and Family Studies Concentration
Students who choose to concentrate in Child and Family Studies can expect to earn a degree that will prepare them for doctoral study or careers in community agencies serving children and families The Child and Family Studies concentration requires a minimum of 36 credits of coursework: 12 credits in foundation coursework and 24 credits in specialization. The CFS foundation courses include CFS 510, 511, 550, and 570. The 24 additional credit hours, selected with guidance of the student's master's committee, are earned as follows: 9 CR in CFS-prefix courses, 6 CR in graduate electives, which may include CFS-prefix courses, 3 CR in Statistics 531, Statistics 537 or Social Work 605, and 6 CR of thesis research in CFS 500. Students seeking the M.S. with a major in Child and Family Studies must select a master's committee chair and file a plan of study with the department head after 12 hours of graduate credit.
PreK-3 Teacher Education Concentration
Ordinarily, this concentration is available only to students who complete the coursework listed under the undergraduate PreK-3 Teacher Education-Licensure specialty and CFS 470 at the University of Tennessee.
The Child & Family Studies Master of Science degree with a concentration in PreK-3 Teacher Education is designed for students seeking a MS degree along with initial teacher licensure in early childhood education (Pre-K through Grade 3). Students interested in the Child & Family Studies Master of Science degree with a concentration in PreK-3 Teacher Education must apply for admission to graduate study in CFS through the procedures outlined in the application section.
The course of study for CFS MS in ECE students includes 12 CR in the CFS foundation courses: CFS 510, 511, 550, and 569 in lieu of 570; 21 CR in ECE core: CFS 512, 574, 575, 591; 3 CR of computation- or consumer-based graduate statistics (Statistics 531, Statistics 537, Social Work 605, or Ed Psy 550), 3 CR in ECE specialization electives, completion of a research project in CFS 569, and a written comprehensive examination (39 credits).
Contact CEHHS
335 Claxton Complex
1122 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
Phone: 865-974-2201
Fax: 865-974-8718