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UNCG, N.C. State Offer Joint Master's in Parent Education

by Dan Nonte, University Relations


This fall, UNCG and N.C. State University will join forces to offer a master of science degree in human development and family studies with a concentration in family life and parent education. The program will be offered jointly by UNCG's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and N.C. State's Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors recently approved the 34-credit hour degree program, which will begin in August. Students will be enrolled in both institutions and will participate in classes offered by both institutions, but will not necessarily have to travel to both campuses. Students can participate in UNCG-based seminars via videoconferencing, take online courses offered by N.C. State and fulfill remaining requirements with classes offered on both campuses.

The program is open to students with a variety of undergraduate majors ­ including early childhood education, psychology, sociology and human development ­ who also have an interest in parenting education.

"We are excited about this opportunity to collaborate with N.C. State on this program that will help improve the lives of North Carolina families," said Dr. Anne Fletcher, Family Life and Parent Education Program advisor at UNCG. Dr. Karen DeBord, professor and child development specialist at N.C. State, said there is a growing need for professionals trained as parent and family educators. Courts, local governments, community agencies and schools increasingly refer clients to parenting education programs.

"We need to help build capacity in this field," DeBord said. "This will give professionals in the field a place to get knowledge they need to teach parents and support families based on best practices in the field."

Although the deadline to apply to the program for the fall semester has passed, interested students may be able to enroll in classes as non-degree seeking students and apply the credit toward the degree. New applications to the program will be reviewed during the upcoming academic year. Application may be made directly to the graduate schools at either UNCG or N.C. State. For more information, visit these web sites:

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