Human Development
and Family Studies

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EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (MA or MS)

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The Early Childhood Development program is planned for students who wish to focus their professional preparation on children as they develop, influence, and are influenced by a variety of environments. Both theses (MS) and non-theses (MA) options are offered, but students must petition to write a thesis. The non-thesis option involves either a project or internship.

Courses are Selected from:

1. Statistics and research methods (6 hours)
   HDFS 8200: Research Methods
   Any advisor-approved statistics course 7000 level or above
2. Core content (24 hours)
   1. Family functioning and human development (12 hours)
      HDFS 7620: Family Interaction OR HDFS 8012: Family Dynamics and Intervention
      HDFS 8210: Theories of Human Development
      HDFS 8420: Cognitive Development
      HDFS 8440: Social and Emotional Development
   2. Electives* (12 hours)
      HDFS 7257: Aging and the Family
      HDFS 7300: The Black Family
      HDFS 7510: Administration of Programs for Children and Families
      HDFS 7610: Stress in Families
      HDFS 7630: The Process of Divorce
      HDFS 7640: Interpersonal Relationships
      HDFS 7720: Child and Family Advocacy
      HDFS 8220: Family Theories
      HDFS 8235: Administration and Program Management
      HDFS 8300: Advanced Seminar on Multicultural Families
      HDFS 8460: Life Course Perspective
      HDFS 8610: Remarriage and Stepfamilies
      HDFS 8620: Work and Family
      HDFS 8630: Gendered Relations in Families
      HDFS 8770: Poverty
      HDFS 8710: Children, Families and Public Policy
      LTC 8600: Perspectives in Parent Education/Parent Involvement
      LTC 8610: Issues in Early Childhood Education and Curriculum Practices
      LTC 8612: Advanced Early Childhood Curriculum AND L8495: Methods of Early Childhood Education (courses must be taken concurrently)
      LTC 8900: Advanced Assessment in Early Childhood Education
      * Or any advisor approved graduate level course
3. Thesis or other independent effort (3-6 hours)
   HDFS 8090: Project
   HDFS 8972: Internship
   HDFS 9090: Thesis