Penny L. Deiner, Ph.D., Coordinator, Telephone (302) 831-1922
For more information, please visit the department web site at
http://www.udel.edu/ifst/students/
The Department of Individual and Family Studies offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. All IFS graduate programs offer a strong interdisciplinary background in human development and family studies with an emphasis on relationships in a changing society. All programs provide background in family systems and the relationship of the family and its members to other systems across the life course.
At the Master's level, students
choose one of the three concentrations. Students who want to focus on Rresearch and Eevaluation in
applied human development and family services, as well as those who want to continue on
into a doctoral level program would specialize in the Family and Human Development rResearch concentration.
This concentration requires the completion of a thesis or theoretical
papers. Students who seek a more
professional orientation can specialize in either Applied Family and Community
Studies or in Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Education. Course work in the A applied
Ffamily and Community Sstudies
concentration is designed to increase the
leadership skills, understanding of program and evaluation research, and an understanding of the
relationship of the
service system to the family. Students who are in the Eearly Childhood Development
and Inclusive Education concentration
care and education system focus on the
context of early childhood examining the relationship of children to their
family, peers, teachers and learning environments. Most students with this
professional emphasis complete a portfolio as their final scholarly product.
The doctoral program is designed to prepare scholars for positions as researchers, professors or leaders in human service fields. This program has a strong emphasis on understanding theory and research as it relates to individuals and their families.
In
addition to the above, the Department of Individual and Family Studies
administers Master of Education degree programs in Ccollege Ccounseling
and Sstudent
Aaffairs
Ppractice
in Hhigher
Eeducation.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
The
admission policy of the Department of Individual and Family Studies endeavors
to foster a heterogeneous student body in terms of age, sex, race and cultural
background. The Department uses a
variety of criteria in assessing a prospective students’ ability to
successfully complete a graduate program.
The qualifications of each applicant are weighed against the
Department’s general criteria and on the particular program or concentration
the applicant has applied to. All admissions are competitive and determined by
the number of available vacancies, the qualifications of applicants, and
availability of faculty. In special
cases, provisional admission to these programs may be offered with specific requirements
needing to be met prior to receiving regular standing. Applicants must submit all application
materials by February 1 for admission to the program beginning in the Fall of
the following academic year. See the Graduate Admission chapter in the catalog
for additional information.
The qualifications of each applicant are weighed against the Department’s
general criteria and on the particular program or concentration to which the applicant
has applied. All admissions are
competitive and determined by the number of available vacancies, the
qualifications of applicants, and availability of faculty. In special cases, provisional admission to these
programs may be offered with specific requirements needing to be met prior to
receiving regular standing. Applicants
must submit all application materials by February 1 for admission to the program
beginning in the Fall of the following academic year. See the Graduate Admission chapter in the catalog for additional
information.
Admission to the IFS graduate programs is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Both full–time and part-time applicants are considered for admission.
1. An
undergraduate cumulative average of at least 3.0 and a major cumulative average
of at least 3.25. The cumulative
average of prior graduate study is expected to be at least 3.5. Complete transcripts of prior undergraduate
and graduate work must be submitted.
2. Submission of
three letters of reference from individuals able to assess the applicant’s
academic potential.
3. A match between the candidate’s statement of objectives and interests and the department’s capacity and available mentors.
4. A score of at least 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from applicants whose first language is not English.
5. All applicants must submit GRE scores. A minimum GRE score (math plus verbal) of 1050 is expected of Ph.D.
applicants.
6. Applicants to the Ph.D. Program are required to possess a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Should an applicant requests to be considered for admission directly to the Ph.D. program without a master’s degree and is admitted directly to the Ph.D. program, the student will be required to earn a master’s degree as part of their doctoral program.
Requirements for the Degrees
The M.S. program in Human Development Individual and
Family Studies focuses on the relationship of the family and it's members to
other systems across the life spancourse. The
minimum total credits for the M.S. in Individual and Family Studies is 307.
It provides Concentrations in Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Education,
research
and Evaluation, Applied Family and Community Studies, and Family
and Human Development Research.in Early
Childhood Development and Education Core rRequirements are
listed below.
. Consult
with the program on specialty courses. IFST 869 is the culminating experience for all M.S. degrees.
All concentrations require:
IFST 601 Theories of Human Development through the Lifespan 3
creditsIFST 621 Dynamics of Family Development 3 credits
IFST 615 Research
Methods 3 credits
IFST 621 Family Studies I: Empirical and
Theoretical Perspectives 3
IFST 637 Program Evaluation and Assessment 3
ECDE Interest Electives* 12
IFST 869 Thesis or field experience with
project/portfolio 6
IFST 642 Leadership in Human Services 3
600/800 level IFST course 3
600/800 level Policy and Community course 3
600/800 level Human Service Skills course 3
600/800 level Statistics course 3
600/800 level IFST course 3
600/800 level Interest Electives 6
TOTAL 30 credits
** Substitution for EDUC 665 needs approval from the Advisor.
Master’s program timelines:
2. Completion
of required course work. Including
interest electives are chosen by the student in consultation with the student’s
Advisor and Committee.
The Ph.D. program in Human Development and Family Studies focuses
on applied theory
and applied research related to families
from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Emphasis is placed on issues relating to relationships among family
members and the relationship of the family system to other systems in society. The
Ph.D. in Family Studies requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the
baccalaureate degree or a minimum of 42 credits for students entering with a
master’s degree. Core requirements
are listed below. Consult with your advisor on specialty courses.
IFST 603 Human Development in Life Span
Perspective 3
EDUC 823 Learning and Development 3
IFST 815 Research
Issues and Designs 3 credits
EDUC 856 Introduction to Statistical
Inference 3
EDUC 812 Regression Models in Education 3
600/800
level Research MethodsQualitative or
Quantitative Methods 3
IFST
621 Family Studies I: Empirical
and Theoretical Perspectives 3
IFST 855 Family Studies II: Analysis and Critical Issues 3
Courses
in Area of Emphasis* 9
800 level Statistics 3 credits 600/800
level Statistics OR
Measurements 3 credits
IFST 865 Advanced
Seminar in Family Studies 1 credit
600/800 level IFST
Courses 12 credits
600/800 level Electives 6 credits
IFST 969IFST 969 Dissertation/Research 9
*The
Area of Emphasis is selected in consultation with the student's advisor and
committee in planning a program of study.
1. Upon admission, a student is assigned an
academic advisor.
Note: Requirements
for Admission has been updated by Karren Helsel-Spry. The revised text is in red and the original has been stricken.