Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Master in Human Development and Family Studies
This degree program is offered only to HDFS graduate students currently admitted into our program.
The Master of Human Development and Family Studies (MHDFS) program is designed to prepare students for professional roles providing education and services to individuals and families in applied settings. The MHDFS is a practice-oriented degree especially suitable for individuals already working in the family or social services sectors, education, or corrections, and for those who seek employment in applied settings. The MHDFS is not a therapy training degree; a person completing this degree is not eligible to become a licensed therapist or counselor. The MHDFS program will, however, provide excellent preparation for those wanting to gain a greater understanding of children, youth, and families to optimize their ability to provide services and education. MHDFS students work closely with one faculty mentor to develop their own independent capstone project. Because an MHDFS student specializes in a project under the mentorship of a faculty member, understanding the research interests of our faculty may be of interest for prospective MHDFS applicants.
In place of a thesis, they participate in a graduate practicum, and they complete a capstone paper or projects. For more specific information, see the department’s Graduate Student Handbook online at: cehs.usu.edu/hdfs/graduate/handbook.
In addition to the department’s requirements, the following are the School of Graduate Studies guidelines and are the minimum requirements for students to complete a degree.
Degree Verification
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university is required for admission to and completion of a graduate program.
- Overall Graduate GPA at least 3.0 and no grades of C- or lower
Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree. Graduate Students may earn no more than two “C’s” in their courses.
- Course Number Acceptability
The Program of Study for a master’s degree must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above.
Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.
- Matriculation Start Semester
A master’s degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
- USU Residency Requirement
At least 24-semester credits for a master’s degree must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University.
- Master’s Forms:
- Approval of academic forms required for master’s students by the School of Graduate Studies
- Supervisory Committee
- Program of Study
- (Professional/Plan C students cannot use any thesis/dissertation credits on Program of Study.)
- Graduation Check Request
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