Graduate Department of Human Development and Family Science

College of Health and Human Sciences

Website:  https://cehhs.fsu.edu/hdfs

Interim Department Chair: Harris; Associate Department Chair: Greene; Eminent Scholar and Professor: Fincham; Marriage & Family Therapy Program Director: McWey; Graduate Program Directors: Cui, McWey; Professors: Cui, Lederman, McWey, Ralston; Associate Professors: Gazelle, Gonzales-Backen, Kimmes; Assistant Professors: Rudaz, Wu; Teaching Faculty: Diop, Greene, Harris, Holcomb, Jeter, Youngberg; Clinical Faculty: Greene, McWey, Kimmes, Wu, Youngberg; Cross Appointment: Goldfarb (FSU College of Medicine); Professors Emeriti: Cornille, Darling, Greenwood, Hansen-Gandy, Hicks, Lee, A. Mullis, R. Mullis, Pasley, Pestle, Rapp, Readdick, Zongker

The Department of Human Development and Family Science faculty endeavor to provide an innovative curriculum that focuses on understanding the complexities of families and relationships across the life span. Graduate training emphasizes translating results from rigorous research into real-world solutions that help children, adults, and families. We believe student learning is most effective when it occurs through active engagement in research and teaching.

The department offers a Master of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science. Thesis and non-thesis options are available; the thesis option typically leads to subsequent pursuit of a doctoral degree, while the project option is typically selected by professionals who will assume leadership roles in community agencies or governmental departments or units serving children and families.

The department offers two Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs: 1) Human Sciences with a major in Human Development and Family Science (including an “in-flight” MS/PhD Human Development and Family Science program), and 2) Marriage and Family Therapy. These doctoral programs are designed to produce the next generation of scholars who compete successfully for faculty positions in human development and family science, marriage and family therapy, and related fields at research-intensive institutions. In keeping with college policy, there is no language requirement for doctoral students.

Admission Requirements

Applying to the graduate programs in Human Development and Family Science requires submission of 1) official copies of transcripts with degrees posted from all colleges/universities previously attended; 2) official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and writing); 3) three letters of recommendation; and 4) a statement of professional goals (for the master's program) or professional goals and research interests (for the doctoral program). International applicants need to submit an official English Proficiency Score Report (TOEFL or IELTS). Competitive applicants to the doctoral program must have Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores better than or equal to 50th percentile in both verbal and quantitative sections with a 4.0 or higher on the writing section, a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last two years of academic work, and (for international applicants) a TOEFL of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper) or an IELTS of at least 6.5. Only applicants for whom a designated member of the departmental graduate faculty expresses willingness to mentor will be admitted to the program. In some instances, supplemental coursework (undergraduate and graduate) may be required for students entering the program from other fields of study or without proper requisite knowledge. Options available to the student are discussed prior to admission to the program. Students entering the doctoral program in Marriage and Family Therapy must have completed a master's degree in MFT from a COAMFTE accredited program or a closely related degree. Master's and Doctoral students are admitted for Fall only.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Human Development and Family Science makes every effort to provide financial assistance, including stipends and tuition waivers, for doctoral students in good standing. Students seeking a master's degree may request financial assistance. Sources of funding include the following: fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, departmental assistantships, minority program fellowships, and scholarships. Priority for departmental financial assistance is given to doctoral students.

Master of Science (MS) in Family and Child Sciences

A minimum of 30 semester hours is required including a three-credit capstone project (FAD5970 Special Project) for the non-thesis option and six semester hours of thesis credit for the thesis option.

Required Core Courses (seven to ten semester hours):

CHD 5617 Professional Development in FCS (1)

CHD 5266 Advanced Child Development (3)

OR (Project) and (thesis)

FAD 5263 Advanced Family Studies (3)

CHD 6261 Theories of Child Development (3)

OR

FAD 6436 Theories of Family Science (3)

Required Research Courses (11 to 14 semester hours):

CHD 5915 Methods of Research I (4)

FAD 5700 Applied Research in Human Sciences (4)

FAD 5970 Special Project (3) (non-thesis option)

OR

CHD/FAD 5971 Thesis (6)

Required Electives (6 to 12 semester hours):

A minimum of six (thesis option) to 12 (non-thesis option) semester hours are to be selected from family and child sciences at the 5000 level. Courses at the 6000 level may be selected with the approval of the instructor and major professor.

The balance of the coursework in the major is selected by the student in consultation with the student's major professor (and supervisory committee).

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs

The Department of Human Development and Family Science's doctoral programs offer a unique curriculum that integrates human development and family science with marriage and family therapy. This purposeful integration is designed to enhance communication and cross-fertilization of ideas between basic human development and family science with the clinical practice. All students in both programs must pass a preliminary examination prior to admission to doctoral candidacy and before they can register for dissertation hours. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate courses must be selected from within the department, and students must take at least 15 semester hours in research methods or statistics courses.

PhD Degree in Human Sciences with a Major in Human Development and Family Science with In-Flight Master's

The MS portion of the degree program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours in coursework including six semester hours in a thesis that must be completed to obtain an in-flight master's degree enroute to completing the doctoral degree. It is expected that students in the In-flight program complete the M.S. within two years of enrollment in the program. Students in the in-flight program must complete the M.S. within three years to remain in good standing in the Ph.D. program. The PhD portion of the degree program requires a minimum of 38 semester hours in coursework plus 24 semester hours in dissertation beyond the master's degree. Courses that were not included on the MS program of study but that were taken prior to a student being awarded the MS, may be included on the PhD program of study and counted toward the doctoral degree. Cumulatively across the MS and PhD portions of the program, students will accrue 47 (30 in MS portion, 17 in PhD portion) semester hours of graduate courses within the Department. A maximum of 6 semester hours graded with S/U are allowed. Below is a listing of the required coursework with the balance of the planned program based on the student's background and professional goals.

MS In-flight Curriculum

Required Core Courses (TEN Credit hours):

CHD 5266 Advanced Child Development (3)

OR

FAD 5263 Advanced Family Studies (3)

CHD 5617 Professional Development in Family and Child Sciences (1)

CHD 6261 Theories of Child Development (3) or

FAD 6436 Theories of Family Sciences (3)

Required Research and Statistics (14 Credit hours):

CHD 5915 Methods of Research I (4)

FAD 5700 Applied Research in Human Sciences (4)

CHD/FAD 5971 Thesis (6)

FAD 8976 Master's Thesis Defense (0)

Electives (SIX Credit hours)

Ph.D. In-flight Curriculum

Required Core Courses (13 to 14 Credit hours):

HOE 6366 Research Best Practices in Human Sciences (2)

FAD 5481 College Teaching in Family Sciences (2–3)

FAD 5942 Supervised Teaching (3)

FAD 6436 Theories of Family Science (3) or

CHD 6261 Theories of Child Development (3)

FAD 6266 Diversity Considerations for Family Research and Practice (3)

Required Research and Statistics (31 to 33 Credit hours):

FAD 5705 Qualitative Research in FCS (3)

FAD 5912r Supervised Research (1–3)

FAD 6917 Research Methods in Family and Child Sciences (3)

FAD 8964r Preliminary Doctoral Exam (0)

FAD 6980 Dissertation (24)

FAD 8985r Dissertation Defense Examination (0)

Required Data Analytic Electives (15 Credit hours)

Other Electives (three Credit hours)

PhD Degree in Human Sciences with a Major in Human Development and Family Science

A minimum of 58 semester hours of graduate coursework, exclusive of the dissertation, is required beyond the master's degree for the doctoral degree in human sciences with an emphasis in human development and family science. More hours are normally taken, because programs of study are individually tailored to meet students' professional goals. In addition to a broad range of subject matter courses, students acquire a solid foundation in research methodology and statistics. The PhD program is an individual program planned by students, their major professor, and supervisory committee. Below is a listing of the required coursework with the balance of the planned program based on the student's background and professional goals. At least 58 semester hours of graduate work in addition to the dissertation is required beyond the master's degree.

Required Core Courses (17 to 18 Credit hours):

FAD 5481 College Teaching in Family Sciences (2–3)

FAD 5942 Supervised Teaching (3)

CHD 6261 Theories of Child Development (3)

FAD 6436 Theories of Family Science (3)

CHD 5617 Professional Development in Family and Child Sciences (1)

HOE 6366 Research Best Practices in Human Sciences (2)

FAD 6266 Diversity Considerations for Family Research and Practice (3)

Required Research and Statistics Courses (39 to 41 Credit hours):

CHD 5912r Supervised Research (1–3)

CHD 5915 Methods of Research I (4)

FAD 5700 Applied Research in Human Sciences (4)

FAD 5705 Qualitative Research in FCS (3)

FAD 6917 Research Methods in Family and Child Sciences (3)

FAD 8964r Preliminary Doctoral Exam (0)

FAD 6980r Dissertation (24)

FAD 8985r Dissertation Defense Examination (0)

Required Data Analytic Electives (12 Credit hours)

Other Electives (14 Credit hours)

Students lacking adequate background in HDFS may be required to enroll in a series of leveling courses, the least of which include FAD 5263 (Advanced Family Studies).

PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy

The doctoral program in marriage and family therapy, which is one of the oldest doctoral programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), requires 63 hours of graduate coursework exclusive of the dissertation. Required courses include substantive content, research methods, and clinical practice and supervision, including an internship.

Required Courses (17 to 18 Credit hours):

FAD 5481 College Teaching in Family Sciences (2–3)

CHD 5617 Professional Development in Family Child Sciences (1)

FAD 5942 Supervised Teaching (3)

FAD 6605 Advanced Clinical MFT Theory (3)

FAD 6916 Outcome Research in Marriage and Family Therapy (3)

FAD 6610 MFT Social Justice and Diversity (3)

HOE 6366 Research Best Practices in Human Sciences (2)

Required Research and Statistics Courses (41 Credit hours):

CHD 5915 Methods of Research I (4)

FAD 5700 Applied Research in Human Sciences (4)

FAD 6917 Research Methods in Family and Child Sciences (3)

FAD 6706 Intervention Research (3)

FAD 5705 Qualitative Research in FCS (3)

FAD 6980r Dissertation (1–24)

FAD 8964r Preliminary Doctoral Exam (0)

FAD 8985r Dissertation Defense Examination (0)

Clinical Practice Requirements (21 Credit hours):

FAD 6606 Supervision in Marriage and Family Therapy (3)

FAD 6940r Practicum in Marriage and Family Therapy (12)

FAD 8944r Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy (6)

Data Analytic Electives (three Credit hours)

Other Elective Courses (five Credit hours)

Definition of Prefixes

CHD—Child Development

FAD—Family Development

HOE—Home Economics: General

Graduate Courses

Child Development

CHD 5266. Advanced Child Development (3). Survey of the contemporary child development research literature.

CHD 5617. Professional Development in Family and Child Sciences (1). Prerequisite: Graduate standing. This course is designed to introduce graduate students in Family and Child Sciences to professional development topics in the field of family and child sciences.

CHD 5906r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). (S/U grade only). May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.

CHD 5915. Methods of Research I (4). Prerequisite: A graduate statistics course such as EDF 5401 or equivalent. This course explores research design, with emphasis on the development of a thesis or dissertation prospectus. Includes a laboratory to practice data-analysis applications.

CHD 6261. Theories of Child Development (3). Prerequisites: Graduate courses in child development, psychology, counseling, or family studies, as well as instructor permission. Review of current theories of child development.

CHD 6264. Assessment Techniques for Children and Families (3). Prerequisites: Background in child and family studies, as well as instructor permission. This course examines current child and family assessment techniques. Psychometric characteristics of measurements are reviewed.

CHD 6636. Development of Social Withdrawal, Inhibition, Shyness, and Anxiety from Childhood to Young Adulthood (3). Prerequisite: CHD 5266 or instructor permission. This course covers multi-disciplinary theoretical and empirical research on social withdrawal, inhibition, shyness, and anxiety in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Content includes temperament, genetic vulnerability, parenting, developmental trajectories, social cognition, peer relations, cross-situational continuity and change, risk and resilience, internalization, and prevention.

CHD 6930r. Seminar in Child Development: Topics Vary and/or Ages Vary [prenatal, infancy, preschool, school-age through adolescence] (3–9). Prerequisites: Graduate courses in child development, psychology, counseling, or family, as well as instructor permission. Each age or topic may be taken only once. May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.

Family Development

FAD 5261. Families in Crisis (3). Prerequisite: Background in family or instructor permission. Theoretical consideration of persistence and change in families with special attentions to critical transitions in family development.

FAD 5263. Advanced Family Studies (3). Prerequisites: Graduate standing, background in child and family studies or instructor permission. This course surveys contemporary research in family studies.

FAD 5481r. College Teaching in Family Sciences (2–3). (S/U grade only). This course prepares students to teach in the area of family sciences in a higher education setting. It focuses upon units of study, evaluation, procedures, teaching models and strategies. May be repeated to a maximum of three semester hours.

FAD 5618. Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy (3). This course builds the foundation for ethical and legal concerns relevant to the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy. The course assists students in developing personal and professional guidelines for the ethical practice of MFT within the context of existing professional practice standards and governing laws. Students confront and analyze dilemmas and issues pertinent to the responsible practice of therapy.

FAD 5620. Advanced Human and Lifespan Development (3). This course provides an overview of the major human developmental theories throughout the life course within the family, social, and cultural context and serves as a foundation for client assessment and case conceptualization. Individual and family development are viewed as mutually interactive processes affected by biology/genetics, gender race, ethnicity, acculturation and religion. The development of the individual is traced chronologically and factors influencing development are explored concurrently from each theoretical orientation.

FAD 5621. MFT Theories I: Modernist Models (3). Prerequisite: FAD 5625 with a grade of B- or better. This course builds a foundation in modernistic theoretical models of martial and family therapy, including systemic, structural, strategic, intergenerational, contextual, behavioral, and experiential therapies. The fundamental concepts and propositions of each theory are introduced and translated into concrete strategies for clinical application and practice. This course is key in preparation for licensure exams.

FAD 5622. MFT Theories II: Postmodern Models of Family Therapy (3). Prerequisites: FAD 5621 and FAD 5625, both with a grade of B- or better. This course introduces students to theoretical concepts and methods of intervention in family therapy using postmodern models informed by a social constructionist lens. Postmodern models and associated clinical approaches include narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and collaborative language systems.

FAD 5623. Marriage and Family Therapy Theories III: Couples Therapy (3). Prerequisites: FAD 5621 and FAD 5622, both with a grade of B- or better. This course provides orientation and structure necessary for conducting effective couples therapy from a systemic framework. Emphasis is placed on assessing qualities of couple relationships and subsequent treatment of presenting concerns from a contextual perspective, emphasizing diversity in culture, gender, and sexuality. The course examines domestic violence, infidelity, substance abuse, physical health issues, and major psychiatric disorders.

FAD 5625. Introduction to Systems Theory (3). This course is an introduction and overview of Systems Theory as applied in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. The course covers original formulations of general systems theory, communication systems, chaos theory, and cybernetics, and subsequent translations of those ideas into family systems theory used in therapeutic contexts. Focus is on family metaphors, patterns, interaction, and communication to describe human behavior and relationships. Reading and concepts are also applied students' family of origin to enhance “self-therapist” development.

FAD 5630. Systemic Assessment and Treatment Planning in Marriage and Family Therapy (3). Prerequisite: FAD 5667. This course establishes student's foundation in clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning in MFT. It elaborates and the theoretical assumptions and values underlying alternative assessment techniques, and how those assessments move to diagnosis and development of treatments for major mental health issues and other presenting concerns. The course also covers risk assessment and crisis intervention.

FAD 5661. Group Psychology (3). In this course students learn theoretical concepts and methods of systemically oriented group psychotherapy. Students develop core competencies in fundamental skills and approaches used in group psychotherapy. The role of contextual factors in group therapy are examined. Students participate in experiential group work to develop skills to propose and plan group psychotherapy.

FAD 5665. Substance Use Theory and Techniques (3). This course prepares students to apply a systemic perspective with clients presenting with substance use and addiction. Students learn systemic assessment skills and empirically-supported interventions to address substance use disorders It emphasizes sensitivity to individual, social, and cultural diversity as well as the alternative forms of substance use including co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.

FAD 5667. Psychopathology, Diagnosis, and Systemic Treatment (3). This course familiarizes students with diagnostic procedures using the DSM-5, while challenging students to understand and evaluate each mental health disorder from a broader, societal perspective. Emphasis on psychiatric diagnostic classification systems, particularly in the context of treatment and collaborative relationships with other medical and mental health providers.

FAD 5680. Marriage and Family Therapy Capstone (3). Prerequisites: FAD 5621, FAD 5622, FAD 5623, and FAD 5625, all with a grade of B- or better. This course provides advanced marriage and family therapy (MFT) students with the opportunity to demonstrate a cumulative understanding and integration of core theoretical knowledge and clinical competence in the field of MFT. Assignments integrate major theoretical approaches, ethical guidelines, multicultural awareness, and research methods. Supervision evaluations and professional development feedback will also be included as a measure of clinical competency and professional readiness.

FAD 5700. Applied Research in Human Sciences (4). Miscellaneous requirements: Graduate standing and knowledge of basic algebra. This course introduces the use of statistical inference and data analysis for students majoring in human sciences, using unique examples and datasets that are discipline specific. Laboratory experiences emphasize the use of various analytic techniques.

FAD 5705. Qualitative Research in Family and Child Sciences (3). Prerequisite: CHD 5915. This course prepares students to critically engage with qualitative research, conduct qualitative studies, and incorporate qualitative components in research involving mixed methods regarding family systems, children, and other relational systems. This course focuses on narrative research, with additional investigation of ethnographic and case study research.

FAD 5900r. Readings in Family and Child Sciences (3). In this course, topics vary and each topic may be taken only once.

FAD 5906r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). (S/U grade only). May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.

FAD 5934r. Seminar in Family and Child Sciences (1–9). Prerequisites: Background in child and family studies at the graduate level or instructor permission. Topics vary and each topic may be taken only once. May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.

FAD 5944r. Internship–Family/Child (1–12). Prerequisite: Family relations/child development majors only; Corequisite: Graduate standing. Supervised practical field experiences in various professional settings related to family/child development including human services, agencies, hospitals, educational facilities, and government. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve semester hours.

FAD 5970. Special Project (3). (S/U grade only). Prerequisite: Master's degree student. Open to course option master's degree students who are near completion of their course requirements. Permission of major professor required.

FAD 6266. Diversity Considerations for Family Research Practice (3). This course examines human development and family processes within diverse contexts. Specifically, students focus on the impact of systems of oppression and privilege on developmental and family processes, discuss best practices for research and therapy, and critically review theory for inclusion of individuals and family from diverse groups.

FAD 6436. Theories of Family Sciences (3). Prerequisites: Graduate standing, background in child and family studies, as well as instructor permission. This course is a review of current theories in family studies.

FAD 6605. Advanced Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy Theory (3). Prerequisite: Admission to the Marriage and Family Therapy Program; or Introductory knowledge of systemic family therapy approaches and instructor permission. This course is an in-depth, advanced study of traditional and contemporary theories within the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT).

FAD 6606. Supervision in Marriage and Family Therapy (3). Prerequisite: Passage of Clinical Comprehensive Examination in Marriage and Family Therapy. This course teaches the fundamentals of marital and family therapy supervision through didactic presentation, supervised experience of actual supervisory practice, and reflective interaction. This course meets the specifications required for the Approved Supervisor Designation of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

FAD 6610. MFT Social Justice and Diversity (3). Prerequisite: Admission to the Marriage and Family Therapy Program. This course is an in-depth, advanced study of theory, research, and intervention best-practices for couples and families in the context of today's society, with an emphasis on cultural awareness to prepare students as researchers and clinicians to work effectively with diverse populations within the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT).

FAD 6701. Advanced Longitudinal Modeling in Family Science (3). Prerequisite: FAD 5700 or equivalent. This course focuses on a structural equation modeling approach for analyzing longitudinal data in family science. Topics include longitudinal designs, missing data, latent growth curve model, longitudinal confirmative factor analysis, longitudinal panel model, and longitudinal mediation and moderation..

FAD 6706. Intervention Research in Family and Child Sciences (3). This course examines the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions in Family and Child Sciences. This course covers many of the complex decisions that investigators must make in designing, implementing, interpreting, and reporting intervention research.

FAD 6916. Outcome Research in Marriage and Family Therapy (3). Prerequisite: Admission to Marriage and Family Therapy Program or instructor permission. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of psychotherapy outcome research in general and in marriage and family therapy (MFT) outcome research in particular.

FAD 6917. Research Methods in Family and Child Sciences (3). Prerequisites: At least one graduate-level research course, doctoral students only, statistics, permission of the instructor. Overview of research methods currently in use in studying individuals, families, and children.

FAD 6930r. Special Topics: Marital and Family Therapy–Topics Vary (3–9). Prerequisites: Doctoral student standing and instructor permission. Each topic may be taken only once. May be repeated within the same term to a maximum of nine credit hours.

FAD 6935r. Special Topics: Family and Child Development–Topics Vary (3–9). May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours but each topic may only be taken once.

FAD 6940r. Practicum in Marital and Family Therapy (1–5). (S/U grade only). Prerequisite: Doctoral student in marriage and family therapy program. May be repeated to a maximum of twenty-one credit hours.

FAD 8944r. Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy (1–12). (S/U grade only). Prerequisite: MFT major status. Corequisite: FAD 8964. This internship provides supervised practical field experience in various professional settings related to couple and family therapy, including human services, agencies, hospitals, educational facilities, and government. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve semester hours.

Other Courses

CHD 5912r. Supervised Research (1–3). (S/U grade only). A maximum of three hours may apply to the master's degree. May be repeated to a maximum of three semester hours.

CHD 5942r. Supervised Teaching (1–3). (S/U grade only). A maximum of three hours may apply to the master's degree. May be repeated to a maximum of three semester hours.

CHD 5971r. Thesis (1–6). (S/U grade only). A minimum of six semester hours is required.

CHD 6980r. Dissertation (1–24). (S/U grade only).

CHD 8964r. Preliminary Doctoral Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

FAD 5912r. Supervised Research (1–3). (S/U grade only). A maximum of three semester hours may apply to the master's degree. May be repeated to a maximum of three semester hours.

FAD 5942r. Supervised Teaching (1–3). (S/U grade only). A maximum of three semester hours may apply to the master's degree. May be repeated to a maximum of three semester hours.

FAD 5971r. Thesis (1–6). (S/U grade only). A minimum of six semester hours is required.

FAD 6980r. Dissertation (1–24). (S/U grade only). Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral candidacy. May be repeated to a maximum of twenty-four credit hours; may be repeated within the same term.

FAD 8964r. Preliminary Doctoral Examination (0). (P/F grade only.) May be repeated within the same term.

FAD 8976r. Master's Thesis Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)

FAD 8985r. Dissertation Defense Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

HOE 6366. Research Best Practices in Human Sciences (2). Prerequisite: Graduate standing. This course covers the areas of responsible conduct of research in the human sciences and the management principles for sponsored research.