Development and Family Studies

Master's 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. The program provides you with opportunities for formal course work, seminars, practica and mentorships, independent study and empirical research. The Center for Parent Education and Family Support and the UNT Child Development Laboratory extend opportunities for related training and research. Graduate coursework 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 admitted to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies. For Toulouse requirements, contact the graduate school or access the graduate catalog online at www.unt.edu/catalogs/catsched.htm. After you have been admitted to the graduate school, you may be permitted to complete up to 12 credit hours before admission to the program.

You must also submit the following materials to the program area for admission review:

• DFST program application (Contact the program office for materials.)
• letter of application describing professional goals and research interests
• current resume
• three letters of recommendation
• current GRE or GMAT scores

Admission deadlines are March 1 for summer application, June 1 for fall application and October 1 for spring application.

Students interested in applying for fellowships for fall should contact the department by the summer deadline (March 1).

Degree requirements

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. Thesis students will also establish a thesis committee to oversee research. Non-thesis students will complete a comprehensive exam process.

Development and family studies graduate program

The M.S. degree in development and family studies has a 36-hour thesis or 40-hour non-thesis option. Coursework includes core courses in educational psychology (6-9 hours), a development and family studies core (12 hours), and additional courses from within and outside the major field of study to complete the degree.

Scholarly Activities

The program's quality is enhanced by the faculty members' many affiliations with professional organizations and their participation on organizational boards, editorial boards and others. DFS faculty members are active in the Society for Research in Child Development, the National Council on Family Relations, the American Educational Research Association, the Society for Research on Human Development, the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and numerous regional, state and local groups. Graduate students are encouraged to present their research or participate in collaborative presentations with faculty at national and state conferences throughout the year. Our goal is to involve our students in the research process, enabling them to progress in academic or professional careers.