The family & community services master's degree is a 30-credit hour program, beginning fall 2026. 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.
Review the course planner to find out when each course is offered and plan out a prospective course sequence.
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
This course is an introduction to the field of family studies and related professions that involve working with families and communities.
This course will examine family functioning, interpersonal relationships, assessment, and evidence-based prevention and intervention. The course explores theoretical perspectives, research methods, relationship forms and processes, and the impact of context and systemic factors on relationship dynamics.
This course explores stress management, coping strategies, and resilience across the lifespan within a developmental and family contextual framework. Students will examine the bio-psychosocial nature of stress, effective family functioning in crises, and resilience across populations. The course integrates current research and resilience models to support personal well-being and professional practice by introducing evidence-based interventions.
Students learn about human development, including cognitive, social-emotional, motor, language, and moral domains from both lifespan and bio-ecological perspectives. The course focuses on major theories of development and current research on micro-macro relationship.
This course introduces students to the development, administration, and management of youth, family, and community service organizations. It includes special focus on the roles and responsibilities of administrators and managers.
This course overviews the program development process and outcome evaluation of community, children, and family programs. Modes of outcome scholarship and their implications for community-based programs are discussed. Students will develop knowledge through participating in a community-based project involving the practical application of program design and evaluation methods.
Elective Courses
Elective course topics vary each semester. Consult your academic advisor when selecting electives.
This course centers on roles of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the U.S. and globally. The course reviews mission, scope of work, and activities of NGOs as they pertain to poverty alleviation, health promotion, community development, violence reduction, and disaster relief in different geographic and cultural settings. The course includes how NGO interventions and activities affect families, and how this varies across NGOs by sector and type (for example, human rights and political NGOs, community-based organizations, and faith-based NGOs). Students considering professional careers with NGOs will benefit from the theoretical foundations of the course as well as the practical application of concepts.
This course examines the following questions, among others: What are the strengths and limitations of NGOs in local and global settings? What are the negative and positive effects of aid distribution during violent conflict? To what extent are NGOs’ practices reflective of the needs and desires of the families and communities served? What is the voice and role of community members in NGO activities?
This course focuses on causes and impact of poverty, the relationship and interrelationship of poverty to individual and family functioning, and programs, actions and proposed actions to break the poverty cycle.
Examines the development, formation, implementation, and application of policy issues related to family issues and social problems. Emphasis placed on how policy is made and how professionals can influence policy issues and outcomes.
This course introduces students to the grant development and management process. This course is not intended to cover all aspects of grant development and management; it is intended to give students confidence in their grant development abilities and inspire them to learn more. Students learn and use professional writing skills throughout the course.
A survey of family resource management literature is an understanding of the decisions individuals and families make about developing and allocating resources, including time, money, material assets, energy, friends, neighbors, and space to meet their goals.
This course examines human sexuality as a dimension of development across the family life course, integrating biological, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives. Students will explore how sexuality intersects with relationships, health, communication, and wellbeing across developmental stages, with direct application to professional practice in family, educational, health, and community-based settings.
Examining theories, models, research, and skills related to parent education and collaborating with parents.
Practicum/Independent Study/Capstone Class
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.
Required or elective courses such as creative components, directed studies, practica, research and theses are available through your home university. Consult with your academic advisor about course selection and scheduling.
-
Cost per Credit Hour
2026-2027: $622
Learn more -
Average Time to Complete:
Master's degree: 28 months or less
Graduate certificate: 12 months on average - Master's Degree - Family & Community Services: 30 Hours
- Graduate Certificate - Human Services Administration: 12 Hours
Master's Degree - Family & Community Services
30 Hours
Graduate Certificate - Human Services Administration
12 Hours
