Human Development and Family Science, M.S.

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The mission of the Master of Science (M.S.) graduate program in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) is to produce knowledgeable, well-qualified graduates who are prepared to enter the professional workforce as informed, well-rounded specialists in at least one area of the lifespan and in the study of the families, and who are prepared to undertake further graduate level education if desired.

Program Learning Outcomes

The M.S. graduate program in HDFS aims to generate graduates who are well versed in content, theories, research methods, and the application of knowledge to practice. Graduate students specialize in early childhood education, child and adolescent development, family science, or addiction treatment services.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

identify and apply the bio-psycho-social elements of the human lifespan.
demonstrate emerging expertise on the diversity of family life and structure in the United States.
effectively communicate complex information to various audiences, including scientific communities and the public.
demonstrate emerging skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methods to design, conduct, and analyze studies.

Contact Information

Sarah Mitchell, Ph.D., CFLE, Graduate Program Director
College of Education and Human Development
sarahmitchell@unr.edu
(775) 784-1161

Admission Requirements

Priority consideration will be given to M.S. graduate program applicants who meet the requirements for graduate degree admission status listed below:

Meet the Graduate School admission requirements;
Complete the Graduate School application

Applications are due to the HDFS program by March 1 for fall admissions and by October 1 for spring admissions. In special circumstances, late applications may be considered. Consideration should be requested of the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Sarah Mitchell.

Program Requirements

In the HDFS M.S. graduate program, students specialize in an area of academic interest through the selection of electives and their capstone requirement.

Credit Requirements:

Minimum of 12 credits in courses numbered 700 or above
At least 21 of the total credits must be in Human Development and Family Studies

Capstone Options (select one):

Thesis: 6 credits in HDFS 797
Professional Paper: 3 credits in HDFS 796
Comprehensive Examination: 3 credits in HDFS 795

I. Foundation Courses (12 units)

Required by all specializations. Students must include HDFS 720 and HDFS 730 in their Foundation credits*.

A. Human Development (6 units)

Choose six units from the following, one of which must be HDFS 720 :

HDFS 631A - Advanced Human Development: Infancy (3 units)
HDFS 631B - Advanced Human Development: Childhood (3 units)
HDFS 631C - Advanced Human Development: Adolescence (3 units)
HDFS 720 - Theories of Human Development (3 units) *
CAS 637 - Aging and Addiction (3 units)
CAS 660 - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders I (3 units)

B. Family Science (6 units)

Choose six units from the following, one of which must be HDFS 730 :

HDFS 634 - Family Life Education (3 units)
HDFS 636 - Family Interaction (3 units)
HDFS 638 - Children and Families in a Multiethnic Society (3 units)
HDFS 658 - Families and Public Policy (3 units)
HDFS 730 - Family Theories (3 units) *
HDFS 761 - Couple and Family Treatment of Addictions (3 units)

II. Research Courses (3 units)

EDRS 700 - Introduction to Educational Research (3 units)

III. Culminating Experience (3-6 units)

HDFS 797 - Thesis (6 units) Students interested in pursuing further graduate study (i.e., a doctoral program) are strongly encouraged to complete the Thesis option. A thesis provides excellent preparation for completion of a dissertation, and in some doctoral programs, may be used to meet pre-dissertation research requirements. OR
HDFS 796 - Professional Paper (3 units) Students may complete a professional paper under the guidance and supervision of their advisor. OR
HDFS 795 - Comprehensive Examination (3 units) Students may choose to take an examination appropriate to their program of study as the culminating experience for the M.S. degree. Options include the Certified Family Life Educator examination or the Master’s Addiction Counselor examination (for students specializing in Addiction Treatment). Students choosing the comprehensive examination option should plan to study for the examination the semester prior to taking it. Please note that examination fees are required beyond the course registration fee. Contact the Graduate Program Director if examination fees produce an undue hardship. Scholarship monies may be available to assist.

IV. Specialization (12 units)

A. General Specialization (12 units)

Students take additional courses in an area of emphasis based on a topic of interest in conjunction with their faculty advisor. Areas of emphasis require at least 12 credits of elective coursework chosen by the student and his/her faculty advisor.

OR

B. Addiction Treatment Services Specialization (15 units)

This specialization provides comprehensive training in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders. Students gain evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills for working with individuals, families, and communities affected by addiction.

The curriculum requires 15 credits beyond the Foundation courses, including an internship. Students work with their faculty advisor to develop an individualized program of study aligned with their career goals. Graduates are prepared for careers in behavioral health and positioned to pursue professional certification as addiction counselors.

1. Assessment (3 units)

CAS 759 - Assessment & Diagnosis: Substance & Co-Occurring Disorders (3 units)
CEP 642B - Assessment and Diagnosis I (3 units)

2. Treatment (3 units)

3. Internship (6 units)

HDFS 791 - Internship (3 units)
HDFS 792 - Internship in Addiction Services (3 to 6 units)

4. Elective (3 units)

CAS 637 - Aging and Addiction (3 units)
CAS 639 - Exploring Gambling Behaviors (3 units)
CAS 659 - Special Topics in Addiction (1-3 units)
CAS 660 - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders I (3 units)
CAS 674 - Overview of Addiction Prevention, Treatment & Recovery (3 units)
CAS 712 - Neuroscience of Addiction (3 units)

V. Total Units (30 - 36 units)

Twelve hours of credit in courses numbered 700 or above are required in addition to 6 units in HDFS 797 or 3 units in HDFS 796 , or 3 units in HDFS 795 .

Undergraduate Prerequisites

Before beginning the M.S. graduate program in HDFS, students are expected to have completed an introductory level course on lifespan development (e.g., HDFS 201 Lifespan Human Development or similar) and an introductory course on families (e.g., HDFS 202 Introduction to Families or similar). Students who are accepted into the program without these prerequisites will be required to complete coursework in the deficit area(s). A plan for making up the deficit areas will be developed with the Director of Graduate Studies and the student’s initial advisor upon student admission to the program.