HDFS Graduate Programs
Graduate programs are offered in the following areas of concentration:
- Human Development (MS and PhD)
- Family Science (MS and PhD)
- Early Childhood Care and Education (MS and PhD)
- Family Life Education (MS and PhD)
- Couple and Family Therapy (PhD only)
M.S. Program
The M.S. degree program provides subject-matter expertise in field of concentration, serves as the foundation for the pursuit of the Ph.D. degree, and provides opportunities for professional training and preparation in early childhood care and education, family life education, family social services, and extension education. Two options are available to students - Thesis (research project) or Non-thesis Project. Advanced practicum and field work experiences in child development, family social services, family life and extension education are available.
Degree Requirements - The M.S. program requires 45-50 hours of course work - thesis option (45 hours) or non-thesis project option (50 hours). All students are expected to enroll in a series of statistics and research methods courses (9 hours), along with three required courses in the department (HDFS 760, 764, and 765). There is considerable flexibility in the program, allowing students to pursue their individual interests.
Ph.D. Program
The Ph.D. program is focused on research, the training of students to conduct research, and the preparation of university level faculty and research scientists. In addition to course work, the Ph.D. program includes extensive involvement in faculty programs of research, with the expectation that students will participate in the authoring or co-authoring of papers for both presentation at professional meetings and publication in refereed journals.
Degree Requirements - Doctoral students in all program areas are required to complete at least 90 credit hours beyond the Master's degree, including a minimum of 36 hours in HDFS courses (45 in the Couple and Family Therapy program), 12 hours in research methods/statistics, 25 hours in a minor discipline/cognate area outside of the department, and 20 hours in dissertation research. Doctoral students design programs of study tailored to their unique interests and professional goals in close collaboration with their advisors and doctoral committees.
The Ph.D. program in Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Click here for details on CFT program requirements.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging
The Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging is a University-wide program that provides graduate and professional students the opportunity to expand their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to meet the needs of our nation's growing older adult population.
Students must apply to enroll in the program and must satisfactorily complete at least 21 hours of graduate course work from the Master List of Courses, which includes:
- Nine (9) credit hours from the core curriculum,
- Courses from two or more graduate programs outside the student's major program,
- Up to six (6) credit hours may be in approved independent study from the Master List of Courses.
The required core curriculum, an integrated series of four courses, focuses on basic components of gerontology shared by many professions. Students then choose from a wide range of elective courses to complete the 21-hour requirement. Successful completion of the Specialization in Aging is noted on students' transcripts.
Learn more about the Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging at http://www.medicine.osu.edu/geriatrics/54.cfm, or contact Linda Mauger, Office of Geriatrics and Gerontology, at 614-293-8031 or mauger.10@osu.edu.
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