Youth, Family, and Community Sciences

The Master of Youth, Family, and Community Sciences (MR) is an online non-thesis master's degree that requires a total of 30 graduate credit hours. It culminates in a capstone experience during the student’s final semester. This option is ideal for students who desire a master’s degree as their final degree.

Students may also choose the master of science (M.S.) degree option, which requires 36 graduate credit hours. The M.S. culminates in a final oral examination and thesis approved by the student’s graduate committee. The M.S. option is ideal for students with an interest in pursuing a doctoral program or with a strong interest in research and program evaluation.

Our Youth, Family, and Community Sciences online programs' graduate faculty members are experts in their academic disciplines and in online learning.  We strive to create positive and applied learning environments so that our students leave fully prepared to excel in their professional careers. We are unique in that:

• We are student-focused. We recognize that our students bring talent and knowledge into the classroom, and we encourage their development by building on their strengths through active, applied learning.
• We have an all-online program, which allows our students the flexibility they need to be successful.
• Our program is designed for both traditional and non-traditional students.  All synchronous courses are taught during the evenings and our Instructional Designer is on hand to assist all students, especially those new to distance education technologies.
• We provide our students with opportunities to either focus on one foundational area (e.g., Youth Development, Family Development) or gain a broad perspective of working with individuals across the lifespan (e.g., birth to death).

Students interested in graduate work who are not ready for a full master’s degree may find the following graduate certificates of interest:

• Graduate Certificate in Family Life Education and Coaching
• Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Volunteer Management
• Graduate Certificate in Youth Development and Leadership

Admissions Requirements

• 3.0 undergraduate GPA required
• Students must submit a 500-800 word academic writing sample that answers the following prompt: What is the role of family science in a diverse society?
• Personal Statement
• 3 Letters of Recommendation (at least 1 academic, 2 professional contacts)
• Official Transcripts (must be from a 4-year accredited university or college

Note: Transfer credits are generally not allowed. Exceptions made at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP).

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in a related area or must have credit for 3 to 6 hours of prerequisites.
Many students begin taking classes as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student before official admission to the program. Consult the program director before taking more than two classes as an NDS student.

Plan of Study

A student has six years to complete the master's program starting with the first course that is to be counted. Students may be part-time or full-time. Courses are offered via these formats:

• Web-based classes
• Seminar classes with a live internet feed connecting classrooms
• On-campus seminars delivered via video teleconference

Youth, Family, and Community Science online courses are available to Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Studies students only (GR, PBS). Unless noted, all Youth, Family, and Community Science online courses are 3 credit hours.

Career Prospects

Parenting and Family Life Education are rapidly growing fields of research and practice. Demand for professionals to teach and create supportive systems for families is arising from government leaders, community agencies, court systems, through prisons, social service organizations, religious organizations, schools, and communities.