Human Development and Family Science BSFCS/Human Development and Family Science MS(non-thesis)

Students will learn about the developmental progression of individuals from the prenatal period to the end of life and focus on the interactions among individuals, families, communities, and society, and upon completion of the courses required for this program of study and our existing undergraduate degree, students can apply to National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) for provisional certification in Family Life Education (FLE). Students who complete the courses required by NCFR for the FLE Certificate at the undergraduate level (B.S.F.C.S.) must complete 3,200 hours of work experience after graduating to become fully certified, while students who obtain an M.S. must complete 1,600 hours of work experience. So, students will be able to meet the requirements for full FLE certification sooner with an M.S. degree. Additionally, students will have the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in the private or public sector, through Extension, After School Programs, Youth and Family Services, and much more.

Admission to Program

Students will apply to the Double Dawgs pathway during the fall of year three. Applications must be submitted by October 31 to the department of Human Development and Family Science (see link for HDFS application: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs/double-dawgs-apply) in addition to the pathway application found on the main Double Dawgs site for this program (see Apply to Pathway button).

Students will be required to provide a statement of interest, transcript demonstrating achievement in their coursework, including a 3.3 Overall GPA and a 3.5 Major GPA, and evidence of experiential learning opportunities through a resume or experiential learning transcript. Students will be required to have completed, or be in the process of completing, 60 course credit hours.

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

Beginning in spring of Year 3, HDFS majors admitted to the Double Dawgs pathway are required to take 1 hour of HDFS 7010 Directed Study with an assigned faculty mentor in each remaining semester (3 total credits).

In addition, you are required to take 6 hours of the following graduate-level courses (6000-7000 level) that will satisfy both Bachelor's and Master's requirements.

HDFS 6130 Family Policy (elective required course for Family Life Education certification)
HDFS 6880S Family Life Education Methodology Service-Learning (elective required course for Family Life Education certification)

In spring of Year 4, students are required to take HDFS 6800 Research Methods.

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

During spring of Year 3 (first semester in pathway program), HDFS majors admitted to the Double Dawgs pathway are required to take 2 hours of 3010 Directed Study with the HDFS Double Dawg Program Directors.

Students who graduate from the Human Development and Family Science Department can, through a specific set of courses approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), gain knowledge and skills in ten content areas specified by NCFR as critical to a family life perspective. This dual degree program will focus on the coursework required by NCFR to prepare students to work with families upon graduating with an M.S. degree.

Courses required by NCFR include many of our Major Required courses not listed here. The following elective courses are required by NCFR for certification in Family Life Education:

HDFS 3930 It’s Complicated: 21st-Century Intimate Relationships
HDFS 6130 Family Policy (also satisfies graduate-level and undergraduate coursework)
HDFS 4870 Human Sexuality across the Lifespan
HDFS 6880S Family Life Education Methodology Service-Learning (also satisfies graduate-level and undergraduate coursework)

In addition, these students will also be required to successfully complete HDFS 5110 Research Methods as preparation for graduate-level coursework and HDFS 6800 Research Methods.

After acceptance into the graduate program, students will complete the following graduate courses. Students should complete their first Graduate Elective in the spring following admittance into the graduate program.

HDFS 6100 Theories and Issues in Human Development
HDFS 6640 Issues in Family Relationships
3 HDFS Graduate Electives*
3 Graduate Electives*

*Students should select graduate elective courses (18 total credit hours) dependent on their area of interest and career goals.

Admission to Graduate Program

Students will apply to the graduate program in the fall of year four. Applications must be submitted by December 1 to the department of Human Development and Family Science. Students will also need to apply to the Graduate School.

Students will be required to provide a statement of purpose, 3 letters of recommendation, and a resume. Students will be required to provide a transcript demonstrating achievement in their coursework, including a 3.3 Overall GPA. The GRE will be waived for students who receive a ‘B’ or higher in the HDFS courses selected to fulfill the 12 credits towards the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students will be required to have completed, or be in the process of completing, 90 course credit hours.

Program Advisor

  • Name: Melissa Kozak
  • Email: mskozak@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-6873
  • Address: 103 Dawson Hall

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Human Development and Family Science B.S.F.C.S.
  • Department/College: Human Development and Family Science

Advising Contact

  • Name: Julie Patterson
  • Email: jpatt@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-4896
  • Address: 305 Sanford Dr., 110B Dawson Hall

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Human Development and Family Science M.S.
  • Department/College: Human Development and Family Science

Advising Contact

  • Name: Ted Futris
  • Email: tfutris@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-7566
  • Address: 227 Hoke Smith Annex