Master's in Human Development and Family Studies

The Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies Program at UNCG prepares graduates for research positions and for advanced research study at the doctoral level.

The M.S. thesis program of study focuses on the intersection of human development, family processes, and socio-cultural context and is committed to the application of strength-based approaches to the study of diverse children and families.

Graduate course work focuses on building foundational knowledge in human development, family studies, race, class, culture, research methods, and theories of HDFS.

Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies Program Distinctions

UNCG’s program is one of only two master’s of science programs in Human Development and Family Studies in the UNC system and the state of North Carolina. The Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies Program requires a minimum of 39 credit hours, including a thesis. It prepares graduates to conduct research or embark on a doctoral program.

Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies Student Experience

Students will study the intersection of human development, family process, and socio-cultural context in a collaborative and rigorous program. There will be opportunities to:

• Engage in hands-on research training through mentored research with faculty.
• Have their interests supported with coursework in cutting-edge research methods and analyses for the study of development and family processes in context. 
• Learn and apply strength-based approaches to study diverse children and families.

Students enrolled in the master’s program will complete elective coursework. This includes graduate seminars on topics such as:

• African American families
• Child development in cultural context
• Children, poverty, and public policy
• Cognitive development in young children
• Contemporary research in early childhood education
• Families and health
• Immigrant families
• Risk and resilience in children and families
• Adolescence
• Social justice research with diverse families
• Work and family

After Graduating with a Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies

Students from our Master’s Program go on to do the following:

• Ph.D. student
• Research project director
• Non-profit administrator
• Community engagement specialist and recruitment manager
• Social service agency director
• Program manager
• Research scientist
• Data analyst

See our alumni from our M.S. program.

Apply to the Master’s in Human Development and Family Studies Program

Applications are accepted once a year, and completed applications are due no later than Dec. 15th.

In addition to the materials required by The Graduate School, applicants must submit:

• A 1-3 page professional statement to explain their:
  • Reasons for pursuing graduate study in HDFS
  • Previous experience and training in HDFS or related fields
  • Professional goals
  • Primary areas of research interest
  • Faculty members with whom they are most interested in working.
• An academic writing sample (e.g. senior year paper, literature review paper, honor’s thesis, or a manuscript published or accepted/submitted for publication).