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Research and Application Concentration

 

Overview

The research and application option provides a broad foundation for understanding how children develop and how families function in today’s society. 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 research methods used in child and family research. All non-teacher licensure MS students are expected to engage in a culminating thesis or practicum experience. Although both options entail the same course requirements, the culminating experience of the thesis option is an intensive research study, while that of the non-thesis option is a semester-long practicum experience in an applied setting.

The research and application (MS-GE) option requires a minimum of 37 credits: 13 credits in foundation courses and 24 credits in specialization courses. Foundation courses include CFS 510, 511, 550, 570, and 572. The 24 additional credit hours are distributed as follows: 9 in CFS-prefix courses, 6 in graduate electives, 3 in statistics, and 6 of thesis research (CFS 500) OR non-thesis community practicum (CFS 564 & 565). Students seeking the M.S. must select a master’s committee consisting of three CFS faculty members, one of which is the student’s major professor. Students can choose to pursue a thesis or non-thesis option (i.e., practicum).

The research and application (MS-GE) track prepares students to: (1) pursue a PhD in the family sciences or a related field, or (2) work in a community-based setting.


Click the links below to view general information about the program, how to apply, and to learn more about our faculty, graduate students, and the research opportunities available in the CFS department.