Development and Family Studies

Master's Degree Program

Opportunities for graduate studies

The development and family studies' master of science program at the University of North Texas prepares you for diverse roles in parent and family life education, child life, early childhood intervention, teaching, research, administration, and other professions specializing in working with individuals and the family. This program provides you with opportunities for formal course work, seminars, practica and mentorships, independent study, and empirical research.

Research opportunities

The development and family studies faculty strives to involve students in the research process of all programs, grants and projects. Graduate students are encouraged to prepare and present their research or participate in collaborative presentations with faculty at national, regional and state conferences throughout the year.

Ongoing projects such as The Center for Parent Education and Family Support and the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program, as well as other projects, extend opportunities for related training and research.

The Center for Parent Education and Family Support assists in the establishment of partnerships with parents, schools and agencies through research and training. The center focuses on understanding family and child development, facilitation skills, theory, professionalism, marketing, diversity, and development and assessment of programs.

The HIPPY program is a parent involvement and school readiness effort. Using a structured curriculum, parents encourage their children to develop school-readiness skills. You may take part in researching the effectiveness of such tactics.

Professional credentials

UNT works closely with certification agencies to align course work with professional requirements. Graduate course work may lead to one or more of the following credentials:

• Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations
• Early Intervention Specialist Professional with the Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) through an agreement with UNT
• Child Life Certification offered through the Child Life Council
• Secondary teacher certifications in Human Development and Family Studies or Family and Consumer Sciences
• Graduate academic certificate in parent education

Admission requirements

For admission into a graduate degree program, you must be first admitted to the Toulouse Graduate School. Admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School can be obtained by contacting the graduate school or visit catalog.unt.edu. After being admitted to the graduate school, you must also submit the following materials to the program area for admission review:

• completed DFST program application (available at www.coe.unt.edu/epsy/dfs)
• one letter of application describing professional goals and research interests
• a current resume
• three letters of recommendation
• current GRE or GMAT scores

Students are only permitted to complete up to 12 semester hours before admission to the program.

All materials required for admissions must be submitted by the deadline for your first semester:

• January 1 for program admission and fellowships beginning in the fall semester
• March 1 for program admission beginning in the summer and/or fall semester
• October 1 program admission beginning in the spring semester

Graduation requirements

Two options exist for completing a M.S. degree in development and family studies, a 36-semester-hour thesis option or a 40-semester-hour non-thesis option. Thesis students develop a research project and establish a thesis committee to oversee their work. Non-thesis students will complete a comprehensive exam process, which also involves a committee to oversee the individual's professional development.

You will be assigned a temporary major advisor when you are admitted. This advisor, or another advisor of your choice, will establish your degree plan and approve all practicum/internship experiences.

Course work includes core courses in educational psychology (9 semester hours), a development and family studies core (12 semester hours), and additional courses from within and outside the major field of study to complete the degree.

Core Courses

• DFST 5113 Developmental and Family Theory
• DFST 5123 Human Development Across the Life Span
• DFST 5163 Diversity in Individuals and Families

• or DFST 5313 Parent-Child Interaction
• DFST 5433 Partnerships: Family, School and Community

• or DFST 5413 Family Relationships
• EDSP 5710 Special Education Programs and Practices
• EPSY 5050 Educational Research and Evaluation
• EPSY 5210 Educational Statistics

Financial assistance

Opportunities for teaching assistantships and research assistantships are available for most graduate students. A limited number of fellowships and scholarships are also offered through the Toulouse Graduate School. Our fellows receive full tuition, health benefits and an annual stipend. Information may be obtained at www.gradschool.unt.edu.