The CDFS Department offers
graduate study leading to the Master of Science degree with four options:
Child Development and Family Science, Couple and Family Therapy, Family
Financial Planning, Gerontology, and Financial Planning Certificate Program
and Gerontology Certificate Program.
NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2004,
the NDSU Graduate School will begin charging a $10.00 processing fee for
all applications to graduate programs. This processing fee will be in
addition to the current $35.00 application fee and the $15.00 transcript
evaluation fee for applicants who received a degree from an institution
outside of the United States. The application fee and the transcription
evaluation fee are one-time charges.
The Child Development and
Family Science (CDFS) option is a two-year program, designed to provide
students with a research-based, comprehensive and integrated study of
child, adolescent, and family development and dynamics. Faculty emphasize
development and interaction throughout the life span and in a broad environmental
context, with a particular emphasis on the establishment and maintenance
of healthy developmental trajectories.
The Couple and Family Therapy
option (CFT) is a three-year program accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation in Marriage and Family Therapy Education, designed to
train students interested in working in clinical settings as couple and
family therapists. This option involves intensive course work and an on-campus
practicum the first two years, with thesis work and an off-campus practicum
the third year. DEPARTMENT FACILITIES Family Therapy Center
The Family
Financial Planning [FFP] and Family
Financial Planning Certificate Program is
a collaborative, inter-institutional program offered through web-based
distance education. The FFP option is a 42 credit program with a specific
curriculum approved by the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board of
Standards. The program requires one of the following: practicum, practicum
and Masters' paper or a Master's thesis.
Family Financial Planning
(FFP) has been registered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of
Standards. CFP® and Certified Financial Planner® are federally
registered service marks of the Certified Financial Planner® Board
of Standards, Inc. They are granted by the CFP® Board to those persons
who have fulfilled a comprehensive educational requirement, passed the
CFP® Certification Examination, satisfied a work experience requirement,
and agreed to abide by the CFP® Board code of ethical conduct.
The Gerontology Option and Gerontology Certificate Program is a collaborative, inter-institutional program offered through
web-based distance education. The Gerontology option requires 30 to 33
credits of coursework and a thesis or masters paper for a total of 36
credits. The program can be completed in two to three years.
Opportunities exist for research
in various areas related to children and families. Students work closely
with a faculty member to develop individual research and subject matter
programs. Graduate assistantships and tuition waivers are available for
qualified students.
CDFS department also participates
in the Doctoral Program in Human Development through the
College of Human Development and Education with a special emphasis on the Applied Gerontology Track.
Positions Held by Recent CDFS M. S. Graduates