ONLINE Master of Science in Family Studies
Earn an advanced degree completely online
There may be no greater calling than working to improve the lives of children and families. UNA's M.S. in Family Studies offers students the opportunity to advance their careers without ever stepping foot on campus. Even if you are already working full time, managing family responsibilities, or living out of state, you can fit our fully online program into your schedule.
UNA's M.S. in Family Studies program boasts an extremely high job placement rate in field post-graduation. Our graduates are working as Parent Educators, Financial Stability Coaches, Family Case Managers, 4-H Youth Development Agents, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents, and Youth Advocates.
As an online program, the MS in Family Studies offers in-state tuition to all students.
How to Apply
To apply go to una.edu/graduate and click on Getting Started.
Materials you will be required to upload to the online application:
- Letter of Intent (example) - that outlines the reasons candidates are interested in the program and how it aligns with their future professional goals.
- Writing Sample (example) - that best reflects candidates' writing and critical thinking skills, typically chosen from undergraduate work.
- Resume (example) - that includes candidates' records of employment and participation in volunteer activities.
Using the online admissions system, you will input the information of three professional references who will receive an email requesting that they complete an online recommendation form on your behalf. At least one recommendation form must be completed by a current or former faculty member who can speak to your academic abilities. To request a UNA faculty to serve as reference, fill out Letter of Recommendation Form and submit it to the faculty as an email attachment.
Request official transcripts from each institution previously attended whether or not you received a degree from that institution. Transcripts from University of North Alabama are not required. Official transcripts can be sent through an electronic transcript service to graduate@una.edu or mailed to: Office of Admissions, UNA Box 5078, Florence, AL 35632.
Submit official test score report (GRE or MAT) to the University of North Alabama (test code 1735). The GRE and MAT are offered at UNA. Visit UNA Testing Services to learn more.
To check the status of your application, visit the Applyweb Applicant Portal at www.applyweb.com. Click on Application Status, login, and view your checklist.
Program Requirements
The M.S. in Family Studies program is comprised of 31 credit hours of course work and the completion of a comprehensive exam or thesis. The program is designed to be completed in two years.
Core Courses of Study 19
The purpose of the course is to orient students to the policies and procedures of the Family Studies graduate program. A grade of S (satisfactory) is given to students who satisfactorily complete all course assignments.
Study of the methods and techniques of research used in the social and behavioral sciences and their related disciplines with a specific emphasis on research in family studies. Attention is given to the fundamentals of research: comprehension and critique of research literature, theoretical and practical basis of research, problem identification, research design, causal inference, sampling, measurement, data collection, hypothesis testing, and ethics in research.
An examination of the use of quantitative statistical methods in family studies research, including important principles, theories, and strategies for conducting univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analyses. The course includes an introduction to the use and interpretation of SPSS®. Data analyses include descriptive statistics, Pearson r correlations, t-tests, and ANOVA. An undergraduate course in statistics is a prerequisite for entry into this course. Students will be required to purchase SPSS® software in order to meet course requirements. Prerequisite: FS 600.
An examination of the current theories and models used in family research and theory development. The course includes an evaluation of the strengths and limitations of each theory and focuses on the application of theoretical concepts in explaining family life.
An overview of theoretical and substantive issues related to the development and implementation of family policies. Emphasis is given to the connections among family policies, social welfare, family well- being, and political culture.
The course focuses on the major social and family problems contemporary families face, such as poverty, violence, substance abuse, divorce, stepfamilies, and care of dependent elders. An emphasis is placed on family strengths and resiliency as well as methods of intervention that can help families withstand and overcome difficulties.
Field experiences designed to provide students with supervised practical application of family studies theory and research. Practicum placements must be approved, supervised, and evaluated in collaboration with a designated faculty advisor. Also listed as SO 599 but creditable only in field for which registered.
Orientation to and administration of a written comprehensive examination for the M.S. in Family Studies. The course is to be taken in the last term in which a non-thesis option student is expected to complete all other program requirements. A grade of "S" indicating satisfactory performance or a grade of "U" for unsatisfactory will be recorded on the transcript. A grade of "S" is required for graduation; may be repeated once. Prerequisite: student must have completed all other program requirements or be enrolled in the last course for program completion.
Elective Courses of Study12
12 hours of the following or advisor approved graduate course work.
The purpose of the course is to increase students' understanding of the unique issues that children, youth, and families face and to help them to identify and apply appropriate research-based curricula that will help improve the quality of life of the families they serve. Students will become familiar with how to identify quality research-based programs, establish program goals, implement quality family life education programs, and evaluate programs for effectiveness. Also listed as SO 501 but creditable only in field for which registered.
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the varying types of families they may encounter in research, policy, and human service careers and to help students become attuned to issues faced by families in a continually changing society. Also listed as SO 510 but creditable only in field for which registered.
Social psychological analysis of the development, maintenance, and dissolution of intimate relationships such as friendship, courtship, and marriage. Emphasis is placed on the theoretical and empirical basis of understanding intimate relationships. Also listed as SO 543 but creditable only in field for which registered.
This course surveys contemporary issues in family studies. Topics will be examined by developing a theoretical understanding of the issue and will foster both writing and critical inquiry skills related to the issue. Also listed as SO 543 but creditable only in field for which registered. May be repeated for up to six credit hours.
Total 31
NON-THESIS OPTION: Students completing the Non-Thesis Option must, in the last semester in which all other course requirements are expected to be completed, register for FS 698 (Comprehensive Examination) in order to take a written comprehensive examination prior to graduation in order to complete the program.
THESIS OPTION: In addition to the courses above, students who request and receive permission to complete the Thesis Option must complete a minimum of 6 semester hours of FS 695 (Thesis) and register for FS 699 (Thesis Defense) during the last semester in which all other course requirements are expected to be completed. Thesis students will not be required to take FS 698 (Comprehensive Exam).
Students completing the thesis option will develop a research problem or question, review relevant literature, collect and analyze data, and compose a defensible thesis. Theses must be approved by and completed under the supervision of a designated faculty member. Students completing the thesis option will take FS 695 twice for three credit hours each time.
Orientation to and administration of a thesis defense for the M.S. in Family Studies. The course is to be taken in the last term in which a thesis-option student is expected to complete all other program requirements. A grade of "S" indicating satisfactory performance or a grade of "U" for unsatisfactory performance will be recorded on the transcript. A grade of "S" is required for graduation; the coursemay be repeated once. Prerequisite: student must have completed all other program requirements or be enrolled in the last course for program completion.