Human Development and Family Science MS
Earn Your Master's Degree in Human Development and Family Science at Southern Miss!
Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)
Completion Time:
4-5 semesters *pending hours enrolled
Special Requirements:
No GRE required
Learn more about this program:
Are you passionate about understanding the complexities of human relationships and family dynamics across the lifespan? Do you aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities? If so, our master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science is designed for you! Through this program, students will learn to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to promote quality of life and to serve as effective advocates for children and families. It builds upon a foundation in family systems theory, emphasizing leadership, critical thinking skills, and the connection between research and practice.
A master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science opens doors to a wide array of rewarding professions. Graduates are prepared to improve lives through careers in both public and private organizations, agencies, and educational settings that serve children and families.
Career Paths:
- Family life education and coaching
- Child and youth development programs
- Social services and non-profit organizations
- Community health and extension
- Research and program evaluation
Take the next step in your academic and professional journey. Discover how a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science can empower you to create positive change in the world. Our enrollment coaches are here to help. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!
Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now! The School of Human Development and Family Science has 13 departmental scholarships available for students each year. All university scholarship opportunities can be found at www.usmfoundation.com. School-specific scholarships can be found on the school’s website.
This degree program was formerly Child and Family Sciences MS.
What can you do with a Master’s degree in human development and family science?
A master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science prepares you to improve lives through careers in both public and private organizations, agencies, and educational settings that serve children and families. Graduates are also prepared to pursue advanced graduate work at the specialist and doctoral levels.

We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
We’ll call you soon! In the meantime, learn more about us from our blog or start your application.
Required Courses (25 hours)
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Theories in Child Development
|
3 hrs. |
Trauma-Informed Care and Guidance in Early Childhood
|
3 hrs. |
Equity and Inclusion of Children and Families
|
3 hrs. |
Orientation to Human Development and Family Science MS Program
|
1 hrs. |
Advanced Family Theories
|
3 hrs. |
Parenting Across the Lifespan
|
3 hrs. |
Family Advocacy
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Practice of Family Research
|
3 hrs. |
Educational Research: Interpretation and Applications
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Practicum in Child Development
|
3 hrs. |
Practicum in Child and Family Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
Directed Electives
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Child and Family Life Education
|
3 hrs. |
Families in Crisis
|
3 hrs. |
Adolescence and the Family System
|
3 hrs. |
Intimate Relationship Development
|
3 hrs. |
Adulthood and Aging in the Family System
|
3 hrs. |
Bereavement and Loss for Children and Families
|
3 hrs. |
Thesis
|
6 hrs. |
Child Development Methods and Materials
|
3 hrs. |
Curriculum Activities for Young Children
|
3 hrs. |
Introduction to Play Therapy
|
3 hrs. |
Advanced Intervention Procedures for Young Children with Disabilities
|
3 hrs. |
Components of the Reading and Writing Process
|
3 hrs. |
Foundations of the Literacy Process
|
3 hrs. |
Nonprofit Resource Development and Fundraising
|
3 hrs. |
Holistic Health: The Art and Science of Caring and Healing
|
3 hrs. |
Hospice: Concept and Application
|
3 hrs. |
Legal-Ethical Issues
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science does have a pathway to that can lead to licensure for Pre-K and K in the state of Mississippi. Licensure requirements and approval are determined by each state’s licensing board. For general information about professional licensure, please review the Online Programs & Professional Licensure Page.
Additional course fees for the online master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science may apply.
To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page. To view all the funding resources available to graduate students, please visit the Graduate Admissions Funding Resources page.
The prospective student must complete the graduate school admission application online and pay the application fee at http://apps.usm.edu/graduate-school/grad-school-apps/.
All application materials are submitted online to the graduate school, http://www.usm.edu/graduate-school/apply-graduate-school. Prospective students for the online master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science program must complete the application form on the website, pay the application fee, and then submit the following materials:
-
- An essay related to the field of HDFS. See the graduate application for detailed instructions.
- Statement of Purpose – In a 1-2 page essay, describe your educational training, experiences working with children and families, and discuss your professional goals and how they are compatible with the program’s mission.
- Résumé
- Letters of Recommendation – Three (3) letters of recommendation from previous professors and/or employer supervisors who can attest to your academic performance and readiness for graduate work.
This is a 1-2 page essay detailing how this program aligns with your professional and personal goals. Be sure to highlight your educational training and experiences working with children and families.
Regular admission to the Graduate School for study in the online master’s degree in Human Development and Family Science requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale) and a 3.25 on the last 60 hours of coursework; strong letters of recommendation by professionals qualified to evaluate your potential for success in the graduate program; a strong statement of purpose, a esearched response to the HDFS essay prompt, and relevant work experience.
All application materials are considered collectively to determine an applicant’s strengths and potential areas of concern. Our goal is to have a cohort of students who are strong academically but will also provide diverse perspectives to the program.
Students for the online HDFS MS will need a reliable computer, broadband access to the Internet, and a web camera and microphone. Chromebooks, tablets, and smartphones may not suffice.
Class activities may be asynchronous or synchronous (learn more at https://online.usm.edu/blog/synchronous-degree-programs/), involving class discussion boards, instant messaging, and/or video chats. During their second year in the program, students choose to complete either a supervised practicum or a thesis. The practicum experience is arranged on an individual basis with each student, and in some instances, the practicum can be completed at the student’s current job site; however, the practicum must be a new professional experience. Students who plan to continue their education in doctoral study are encouraged to complete a thesis (1-6 credit hours), which involves independent research under the guidance of their faculty thesis chair and committee.
Online Human Development and Family Science master’s students are required to take a comprehensive examination during their final semester in the program. Students are expected to complete the exam within a specific time limit and return to the Comps Committee Coordinator. Depending on the adequacy of the student’s responses, the student may pass or fail. A failed comprehensive examination may be retaken after three months while still enrolled and can only be retaken once.
Ask professionals (e.g., professors, supervisors) who know your academic and/or professional work to write letters of recommendation for you. Letters of recommendation from former professors and other credentialed academics carry more weight and are strongly encouraged. Your recommenders should upload their letters to your Graduate Application online (they will receive an email with instructions when you enter their names and email addresses into your application). If they are unable to attach their letters online, they should mail them to: The University of Southern Mississippi Graduate School 118 College Drive #5024 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001.
Any student who does not qualify for regular admission may be considered for admission on a conditional basis, provided, however, such a student possesses a grade point average of at least 2.50 (calculated on a 4.0 scale) with a GPA of at least 2.75 on the last 60 hours of coursework. After considering all of the applicant’s materials as a whole, conditional admission can be granted only upon the recommendation of the faculty review committee, the program coordinator, and the school director.
Any student on conditional admission must make a 3.0 in FAM 500: Orientation in CFS (1 hr.) as well as in the first six (6) hours in coursework in the Human Development and Family Science MS Online Program to be reclassified as a regularly admitted student the next semester. If the first-semester grades of a conditionally admitted student are too low to obtain the required 3.0 for the first nine (9) hours of coursework, they will not be able to continue in the program.
This program is structured for students who work and want to go to school part-time. The first semester students take seven (7) hours and then six (6) hours every semester after that. If you follow this format, you will finish in two calendar years. Full-time students should be able to finish in 5 semesters!
We would love to have you visit us, but it is not a requirement.
No, online students pay resident tuition. For information about pricing, click here.
The University of Southern Mississippi provides a Senior Citizen Tuition Scholarship Program for Mississippi residents age 62 or older. Legal residents of the State of Mississippi age 62 or older may enroll tuition-free in a maximum of six (6) semester hours for the fall or spring term. This scholarship program applies to fall and spring courses only.
To inquire about the availability of this scholarship, contact Precia Pedersen at precia.pedersen@usm.edu or the registrar’s office.
If yes, visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs. We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions, and course enrollment.
Our program is not a “Child Life Specialist” program; however, our child life pathway strives to meet most of the academic requirements set forth by the Association of Child Life Professionals. It is up to each student to make sure their degree plan/curriculum fulfills their individual needs with the Association of Child Life Professionals including any additional coursework, internships, and clinical experiences we do not provide. For more information, visit childlife.org/certification/become-certified.
If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!
Admission Requirements
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the requirements detailed in Admissions Requirements and Procedures, applicants must submit the following documents:
- An essay related to the field of HDFS. See graduate application for detailed instructions.
- Statement of Purpose – In a 2-3 page essay, describe your educational training, experiences working with children and families, and discuss your professional goals and describe how they are compatible with the program’s mission.
- Résumé
- Letters of Recommendation – Three (3) letters of recommendation from previous professors and/or employer supervisors who can attest to your academic performance and readiness for graduate work.
Program Requirements and Academic Policies
In addition to the requirements detailed in General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information, students must maintain the requisite minimum 3.00 GPA with no grade below a “C” and with no more than one “C” to graduate. Students who make two “Cs” must retake one course to bring the grade up to a “B” or higher and into compliance with degree requirements. Failure to make the requisite grades will result in program dismissal.
The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
Apply Now!