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Child Development and Family Science Program Requirements

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.

Degree Requirements The CDFS option requires 35-38 semester credit hours.

All students in CDFS option must:

Maintain a B average or better.

Complete either a paper (with additional course work) or a thesis and pass an oral defense of the paper or thesis.

CDFS and MFT students must successfully complete the following core requirements:

  • CDFS 701 - Graduate Orientation Seminar (1 credit)
  • CDFS 703 - Research Methods - 3 credits
  • CDFS 790 - Seminar: Special Topics in Research Methods (3 credits)
  • CDFS 781 - Family Systems (3 credits)
  • CDFS 782 - Advanced Human Development - Birth through Childhood (3 credits)
  • CDFS 783 - Dynamics of Parent-Child Relations (3 credits)
  • CDFS 784 - Advanced Human Development: Adolescence through Adulthood (3 credits)
  • CDFS 785 - Family Theories (3 credits)

CDFS THESIS OPTION 9 additional credits to be approved by advisor and committee. At least six of these are to be within CDFS and exclusive of practicum or field experience credits. Thesis - 6 credits

CDFS PAPER OPTION 15 additional credits to be approved by advisor and committee. At least 12 of these are to be within CDFS and exclusive of practicum or field experience credits. (15 credits) Paper (3 credits)

Last updated: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:54:53AM

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Published by North Dakota State University

Department of Human Development and Family Science
NDSU, EML Hall 283
Dept. 2615, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Phone: (701) 231-8268 Fax: (701) 231-9645