INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY STUDIES

 

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 Requirements for M.S. and Ph.D.

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

 

M.S. in Human Development Individual and Family Studies

 

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.

 

 

Human Development and Family Studies            (M.S.)                                     30 credits

 

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

 

Concentration in Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Education

IFST 637            Program Evaluation and Assessment                                          3

                        ECDE Interest Electives*                                                         12

IFST 869            Thesis or field experience with project/portfolio                     6

 

Concentration in Applied Family and Community Studies

IFST 637             Program Evaluation and Assessment                                          3

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

IFST 869            Thesis or field experience with project/portfolio                     6

 

Concentration in Family and Human Development Research

EDUC 665            Elementary Statistics*                                                               3

600/800 level            Statistics course                                                                        3

600/800 level            IFST course                                                                          3

600/800 level            Interest Electives                                                                       6

IFST 869            Thesis or Theoretical Paper                                                  6                                                                     

 

TOTAL                                                                                                           30 credits

** Substitution for EDUC 665 needs approval from the Advisor.

 

Master’s program timelines:

  1. Upon admission, the student is assigned an advisor.

2.      Completion of required course work.  Including interest electives are chosen by the student in consultation with the student’s Advisor and Committee.

  1. A written proposal for the thesis, theoretical paper, field experience with project ro portfolio that is defended before the student’s committee.  The committee consists of  a student’s advisor and two members of the IFS faculty.  In addition, the student may choose a committee member from outside the department.  The committee for the culminating experience requires a minimum of three (3) IFS faculty.
  2. Defense:  A presentation and oral defense is required for all culminating experiences.

 

 

 

Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies

 

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.

 

Human Development and Family Studies            Ph.D.                                       42 credits

              

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

TOTAL                                                                                                           420 credits

            *The Area of Emphasis is selected in consultation with the student's advisor and committee in planning a program of study.

 

PhD. Program Timelines

      1.   Upon admission, a student is assigned an academic advisor.

  1. After completion of required course work, the student must pass a written             and oral examination covering three areas of concentration: family studies, research methodology and statistics, and an area of emphasis as determined by the student and advisory committee.  Failed exams may be retaken once but students must wait 6 months before the retake.
  2.  Residency Requirement:  Students must meet the University requirement of one year in residence (one continuous academic year – 9 credit hours per semester).  
  3. The student must submit a written dissertation proposal that is defended before the student’s dissertation committee.  The dissertation committee consists of a student’s advisor and at least two members of the IFS faculty.  The committee must have no fewer than four (4) and no more than six (6) faculty members.  The majority of the committee, including the chair must be within the IFS Department.  A minimum of one (1) committee member must be from outside the IFS Department.
  4. Dissertation and defense:  Students must submit an original work of scholarship, meeting Department, University, and professional requirements, and successfully orally defend the dissertation.

 

 

 

Note:  Requirements for Admission has been updated by Karren Helsel-Spry.  The revised text is in red and the original has been stricken.