The Child Development and Family Science (CDFS) Masters 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 Masters is housed in the Department of Child Development and Family Science at North Dakota State University. The program is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). As such, the program meets the rigorous standards of COAMFTE in the areas of theory, research, and clinical training.
Family Financial Planning Certificate & Masters is an emerging area with job opportunities in areas related to insurance, real estate, investments, retirement, tax and estate planning. Financial planners are increasingly in demand as Americans seek advisors to help manage their income, assets, and debts. Students enrolled in the Family Financial Planning program will: enhance personal finance knowledge, gain eligibility to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination, increase networking opportunities, and improve career options.
Gerontology Certificate, Masters, Ph.D. is an emerging area with job opportunities in areas related to health promotion, education, research, intergenerational activities, senior centers, and retirement communities. Students enrolled in the Gerontology program will: gain knowledge of the physical, mental and social changes associated with aging, investigate societal changes due to an aging population, and apply obtained knowledge to policies and programs.
Youth Development Masters is a collaborative, inter-institutional program offered by Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) a web-based distance education program. The program requires 37 credits, including a Master’s paper or thesis. Students can complete the program in two to three years.
Youth development is an emerging professional field. It has a positive orientation, meaning its focus is on promoting the positive development of youth, and it is an applied field, with professionals who put developmental research and theory into practice in structuring and implementing programs and services for adolescents.