Human Sciences, Child Development and Family Studies Concentration, M.S.

Deborah Belcher, Program Director
(615) 898-2884
Deborah.Belcher@mtsu.edu

The Department of Human Sciences offers a Master of Science in Human Sciences with a choice of two concentrations: Child Development and Family Studies or Nutrition and Food Science.*

* NOTE: The Master of Science in Human Sciences is being phased out: Admission to this program is closed.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Sciences with a concentration in Child Development and Family Studies must

complete 33 hours of graduate courses (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
complete an approved research tool with grade of C or better (
PSY 6280
or STAT 6160 );
complete a thesis (HSC 6640 ); and
successfully complete a written comprehensive exam (may be taken no more than twice).

Curriculum: Human Sciences, Child Development and Family Studies

All M.S. candidates with a concentration in Child Development and Family Studies must complete 33 credit hours in the following course of study:.

Core Courses (6 hours)

HSC 6530 - Effective Program Management 3 credit hours
HSC 6620 - Research Methods in Human Sciences 3 credit hours

Major Courses (18 hours)

No more than 30 percent of the total degree hours may be dually listed as undergraduate/graduate hours.

Concentration Courses (9 hours)

CDFS 6300 - Application of Child Development Principles I 3 credit hours OR
CDFS 6310 - Application of Child Development Principles II 3 credit hours
CDFS 6320 - Families at Risk 3 credit hours
CDFS 6330 - Theories of Child Development and Family Relations 3 credit hours
Candidates may select a 12-hour minor with approval of the advisor.

NOTE: Dual-listed (4000/5000) courses taken at the undergraduate level cannot be repeated as graduate (5000) courses.

Program Notes

Candidate must

file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to the completion of 21 credit hours;
file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.