We are admitting students interested in:
The M.S. & Ph.D. Programs in Human Development and Family Studies are designed to prepare the next generation of scholars for positions as researchers, professors, or leaders in early childhood, human development, family studies, human services and related fields. The programs emphasize risk and resilience, multi-cultural issues, disabilities, prevention and intervention. The focus is on applying theory and research to practice as they relate to human development and family systems. Course work is designed to provide a strong background in the theoretical and empirical knowledge of family studies, human development and research methods. Training in applied research and service learning experiences are integrated in the curriculum.
The Masters of Science program requires a minimum of 30 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree and a thesis. The student’s area of emphasis is selected in consultation with an advisor and committee in planning a program.
Students work closely with faculty members to develop expertise in areas such as early childhood and education, service delivery, family support, disabilities, program evaluation, parent-youth interaction, and family relationships. As a student, you will discover that throughout your graduate experience you will be mentored by faculty who have active research projects and who work extensively in the field. HDFS faculty draw from a highly interdisciplinary approach to the field. Faculty provide students opportunities to grow in their knowledge and application of information derived from traditional disciplines, while developing new ways to examine factors that affect individuals and families across their lives.
Students come to our department from many fields including education, early intervention, human development and family studies, psychology, nursing, social work, and human services. This helps to enrich the collaborative base of our programs.
Research: Students have the opportunity to conduct research in intervention and prevention, early and family literacy, areas such as alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, prevention programming, disability studies, multicultural family issues, fatherhood, and parenting. Numerous research sites and programs are available to work with, including an Early Head Start program, an Early Reading First program, an NIH grant on alcohol and substance abuse, the Early Learning Center, the Laboratory Preschool, the Center for Community Research and Service, and many community-based programs.
Teaching: Students learn to assist with undergraduate classes, the College School, the Center for Disabilities Studies, the Center for Counseling & Student Development, guest lecture, and teach introductory courses. Opportunities to advise undergraduates, work with honor students, and develop new courses are also available.
Service: Students have the opportunity to work in programs and projects such as assisting with the development of independent living programs for young adults with disabilities, providing in-service with human services professionals, assisting with scholarly conferences and workshops, and assisting with service learning projects.
International Experience: Students have traveled to Romania to work with children and mothers-at-risk, to Belgium to participate in family policy planning, to Austria and Panama to learn about family life education, and to China to learn about the one child family policy.
Awards: Students have received awards from Strattner-Gregory Child Advocacy Award, Marion H. Steele Symposium Graduate Awards for Scholarly Presentations, Amy Rextrew Scholar Award, HDFS Travel Awards, and many other sources including university scholarships for research, travel and service.
This program is geared toward students that are interested in potentially continuing toward a Ph.D.
Core requirements are:
HDFS 601 Theories of Human Development
HDFS 615 Research Methods
HDFS 621 Family Studies; Empirical & Theoretical Perspectives
EDUC 665 Elementary Statistics
HDFS 600/800 Elective
600/800 Level Statistics Course
600/800 Level Interest Electives
HDFS 869 Thesis or Theoretical Paper
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies ANTICIPATES that it will be offering a Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management and Leadership, beginning 9/09. A draft of the program requirements is listed below and is currently under University review for approval. For further information, please contact Dr. Donald Unger, unger@udel.edu.
MS in Human Development and Family Studies
Concentration: Public and Nonprofit Management and Leadership (33 credits)
Required:
HDFS 601 Theories of Human Development (3 credits)
HDFS 615 Research Methods (3 credits)
HDFS 621 Family Studies 1: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives (3 credits)
EDUC 665 Elementary Statistics (3 credits)
HDFS 869 Thesis or Theoretical paper w/ Field Experience (6 credits)
Restricted Electives:
Choose 5 courses, in consultation with your Academic Advisor, from the following list:
The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree or a minimum of 42 credits for students entering with a master’s degree.
Core requirements are:
The Admission process is competitive and is determined by the number of available vacancies, the qualifications of applicants, and the match with faculty expertise. In special cases, provisional admission may be offered with specific requirements needing to be met prior to receiving regular standing. Applicants are advised to submit all application materials by February 1 for admission to the program beginning in the Fall of the following academic year. Only full-time applicants are considered for admission.
The specific requirements for admission are:
For Further Information Please Contact:
Dr. Bahira Sherif Trask, Graduate Coordinator
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
111 Alison Hall West
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-8187
bstrask@udel.edu
Office of Graduate Studies
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
302-831-8697
www.udel.edu/gradoffice
Department of Human Development & Family Studies •
111 Alison Hall West • Newark, DE 19716 •
USA
