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Course Planner

Family & Community Services Graduate Programs

The family and community services master's degree is a 30 credit hour program. All students are required to complete 18 credit hours of core coursework (detailed below) plus an additional 12 credit hours of electives and/or a capstone project.

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Core Courses: 18 credit hours

All core courses are offered twice a year. Please use the suggested course sequence and talk to your advisor for further input on course sequencing and selection.

  • First (preferably) or Second Semester: Foundations and Principles of Family and Community Services
  • Next to last semester: Program Design and Evaluation or Program Administration and Management
  • Final semester: Program Design and Evaluation or Program Administration and Management
  • The capstone project or class varies according to the university in which you are enrolled. Your academic advisor can provide you with details about this part of your degree program.
2026202720282029
CourseCreditsSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpring
Foundations and Principles of Family and Community Services3Ashlie LesterMISUMUMISUMUMISU
Family Dynamics and Interpersonal Relationships3Whitney ShepardUNLOSUUNLOSUUNL
Navigating Family Crisis, Trauma, and Resilience3Laurie BulockMUMISUMUMISUMU
Lifespan Development3Carrie L. Hanson-BradleyMichael CrissUNLOSUUNLOSU
Program Administration and Management3Robin Peiter HorstmeierUNLMUUNLMUUNL
Program Design and Evaluation3Richard FeistmanKSUMUKSUMUKSU

Elective Courses

Elective course topics vary each semester. Consult your academic advisor when selecting electives. Note: topic area and teaching university is subject to change in future offerings. 
2026202720282029
CourseCreditsSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpring
Nonprofits in a Global Society3Alexandra Martin
Families in Poverty3Laurie BulockMISUMISU
Family Policy3Carol JohnstonKSUKSU
Grant Development & Management3Elaine JohannesKSUKSUKSUKSU
Family Resource Management3OSUOSUOSU
Human Sexuality Across the Lifespan3UNLUNL
Collaborating with Parents and Families3MISUMISUMISU

Practicum/Independent Study/Capstone Class 1 - 6 credit hours

The capstone project or class varies according to your home university. Your academic advisor can provide you with details about this part of your degree program.
2026202720282029
CourseCreditsSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpringSummerFallSpring
Independent Study3multiple universitiesmultiple universitiesmultiple universitiesmultiple universitiesmultiple universitiesmultiple universitiesmultiple universitiesmultiple universitiesmultiple universities