Graduate Program

Graduate Advisor
All students are assigned an initial advisor upon acceptance into the program with the option of selecting a new advisor later in collaboration with faculty.

Student Information Contact
Simpson Hall, (505) 277-4535
Contact an office staff member for application materials and information about the application process.

Application Deadlines
Master’s and doctoral applicants in Family and Child Studies:

Priority Deadline
Fall semester: March 15
Spring semester: October 15
Summer session: March 15

Degrees Offered

  • Master of Arts in Family and Child Studies (M.A.)
    Concentrations: Early Childhood Studies; Family Life Education; Human Development and Family Relations.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Family and Child Studies (Ph.D.)

Graduate programs are designed to prepare students for a variety of career options, including family specialists and others concerned with supporting families as educators and learners. Employment opportunities are available in schools, universities, community agencies, business and industry, and many other settings where work is directed toward education, prevention, support and research with individuals and families.

The graduate unit offers work leading to a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Family and Child Studies and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Family and Child Studies. All M.A. students must fulfill the general admission requirements and the Plan I (with thesis) or Plan II (without thesis) requirements set forth in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog. M.A. students who plan to acquire research skills or to pursue a doctorate are encouraged to follow Plan I. A Master’s degree is prerequisite to application for the doctoral program. Students applying for the doctoral program are required to provide the results of performance on the GRE taken within the past five years.

The M.A. in Family and Child Studies may be pursued in one of these concentrations:

  • Early Childhood Studies
  • Family Life Education*
  • Human Development and Family Relations

Contact the graduate unit office for more information about specific requirements for all programs.

* Students wishing to apply for the Certified Family Life Educator designation of the National Council on Family Relations refer to the NCFR Web site.


Master of Arts in Family and Child Studies

The M.A. in Family and Child Studies may be pursued in one of the three following concentrations: Early Childhood Studies, Family Life Education, or Human Development and Family Relations. Students completing the Master’s degree with a concentration in Family Life Education will be eligible to apply for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) certificate from the National Council on Family Relations. Instructions and more information may be obtained from the Program Office in Simpson Hall.

The M.A. in Family and Child Studies offers flexibility in developing a program of studies to meet the interests of the student. Applicants are expected to have completed 18 credit hours of social and/or behavioral science courses (e.g., Anthropology, Family and Child Studies, Psychology, Sociology) prior to admission. Additional information and the required application form are available from the graduate unit office. Acceptance into the Master’s program is based upon ratings of several factors, including scholarship, academic background (especially in the social/behavioral sciences), work experience, letters of recommendation, a personal statement and multicultural experience. Prospective students must first apply for admission to Graduate Studies.

The requirements for the Master’s degree in Family and Child Studies consist of 33 credit hours.

Concentration in Early Childhood Studies

Credit
Hours
Core Requirements  
FCS 503 Seminar in Human Growth and Development 3
FCS 517 Family Interaction Theories 3
FCS 570 Research Methods in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 581 Seminar: Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 584 Multicultural Issues: Working with Families 3
EDPY 511 Introductory Educational Statistics 3
Subtotal 18
Concentration Requirements   
FCS 516 Advanced Study of Early Childhood Curriculum 3
FCS 576 Teaching and Learning Through Play 3
Subtotal 6
Additional Courses (select one):
FCS 501 Parent Education 3
FCS 502 Developmental Issues in Families: Early Childhood 3
FCS 504 Developmental Issues in Families: Middle Childhood and Adolescence 3
FCS 508 Developmental Issues in Families: Adulthood and Aging 3
FCS 512 Interventions with Children and Families 3
FCS 514 Fatherhood 3
FCS 515 Young Children Moving Into Literacy 3
FCS 546 Family Systems Theories 3
FCS 547 Global Perspectives in Early Childhood Education 3
FCS 595 Advanced Field Experiences 3
Subtotal 3
Plan I
FCS 599 Master's Thesis 6
-or- Plan II
FCS 596 Graduate Research Seminar 3
FCS Elective 3
Subtotal 6
Total 33


Concentration in Family Life Education

Credit 
Hours

Core Requirements  
FCS 503 Seminar in Human Growth and Development 3
FCS 517 Family Interaction Theories 3
FCS 570 Research Methods in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 581 Seminar: Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 584 Multicultural Issues: Working with Families 3
EDPY 511 Introductory Educational Statistics 3
Subtotal 18
Concentration Requirements  
FCS 501 Parent Education 3
FCS 543 Managing Family Resources 3
FCS 595 Advanced Field Experiences 3
Subtotal 9
  Plan I  
FCS 599 Master's Thesis 6
-or- Plan II  
FCS 596 Graduate Research Seminar 3
  FCS Elective 3
  Subtotal 6
Total 33


Note: All students completing this concentration should have completed FCS *411 Marriage and Family Life Education and 3 credit hours of a course in human sexuality as part of their Undergraduate program. These two courses are required for national certification as a Family Life Educator from the National Council of Family Relations. Students completing Plan II may take FCS *411 as their FCS elective since it is approved for graduate credit. 

Concentration in Human Development and Family Relations

Credit
Hours
Core Requirements  
FCS 503 Seminar in Human Growth and Development 3
FCS 517 Family Interaction Theories 3
FCS 570 Research Methods in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 581 Seminar: Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 584 Multicultural Issues: Working with Families 3
EDPY 511 Introductory Educational Statistics 3
Subtotal 18
Concentration Requirements (select two):  
FCS 502 Developmental Issues in Families: Early Childhood 3
FCS 504 Developmental Issues in Families: Middle Childhood and Adolescence 3
FCS 508 Developmental Issues in Families: Adulthood and Aging 3
Subtotal 6
Additional Courses (select one):  
FCS 501 Parent Education 3
FCS 512 Interventions with Children and Families 3
FCS 514 Fatherhood 3
FCS 515 Young Children Moving Into Literacy 3
FCS 516 Advanced Study of Early Childhood Curriculum 3
FCS 543 Managing Family Resources 3
FCS 546 Family Systems Theories 3
FCS 576 Teaching and Learning Through Play 3
FCS 595 Advanced Field Experiences 3
Subtotal 3
Plan I
FCS 599 Master's Thesis 6
-or- Plan II  
FCS 596 Graduate Research Seminar 3
  FCS Elective 3
Subtotal 6
  Total 33

Doctor of Philosophy in Family and Child Studies

The conceptual framework for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Family and Child Studies is based on the link between the principles of ecology and systems theory with the study of families. The current interdisciplinary perspective assumes that family dynamics can best be understood within the multiple contexts in which they occur.

With the exception of a 15-credit hour doctoral core, students plan an individualized program with their Committee on Studies that focuses on the area of Family and Child Studies and which may include courses in the graduate unit as well as from other units. To be eligible for the doctoral core courses (advanced seminars in theories, research and legal, ethical and policy issues in Family and Child Studies and Internship), students will be expected to have had graduate courses (M.A. in Family and Child Studies core curriculum) or their equivalents in human growth and development, family interaction, managing family resources, multicultural issues in working with families and children, introductory statistics and a course in research methods. In addition, students must have 24 credit hours in a secondary discipline and complete 12 credit hours to meet the inquiry skills requirement. All of these components are outlined in the Family and Child Studies Ph.D. Program of Studies.

Credit
Hours
Doctoral Core
FCS 503 Seminar in Human Growth and Development 3
FCS 517 Family Interaction Theories 3
FCS 570 Research Methods in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 581 Seminar: Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues in Family and Child Studies 3
FCS 584 Multicultural Issues: Working with Families 3
EDPY 511 Introductory Educational Statistics 3
Subtotal 18
  Additional Doctoral Core Requirements (choose 15 credit hours from):  
FCS 610 Applied Developmental Science in Families 3
FCS 614 Globalization and International Families 3
FCS 615 Human Development in Cultural Contexts 3
FCS 620 Sleep and Family Processes 3
FCS 622 Seminar in Advanced Study of Early Childhood Education 3
FCS 625 Seminar in Self-Regulation 3
Subtotal 15
  Inquiry Courses  
EDPY 603 Applied Statistical Design and Analysis 3
EDPY 604 Multiple Regression Techniques as Applied to Education 3
one 600-level qualitative course 3
one 600-level elective course (approval required) 3
Subtotal 12
Research Seminar
FCS 670 Advanced Seminar in Theory and Research in Family and Child Studies I 3
FCS 671 Advanced Seminar in Theory and Research in Family and Child Studies II 3
Subtotal 6
Additional Supporting Area Courses
600-level courses 12
Subtotal 12
Dissertation
FCS 699 Doctoral Dissertation 18
Subtotal 18
  Total 81

Graduate Minor in Family Studies

Family and Child Studies provides a valuable supplement to a number of degree programs and professions. The following master's-level minor program comprises a set of required courses from core offerings in theories of human development, family interaction and management of resources and electives from other graduate-level Family and Child Studies offerings to meet individual needs.

Requirements

The graduate minor in Family Studies consists of a total of 12 credit hours, 6 of which are to be selected from those courses required of all program majors. These include: FCS 503 (3), FCS 517 (3), FCS 543 (3) and FCS 584 (3). In addition, with an advisor, the student selects another 6 credit hours of graduate-level Family and Child Studies courses for a total of 12 credit hours.


Courses

FCS 101. Child Growth, Development, and Learning. (3)



FCS 102. Carpe Noctem: Sleep, Health, and the Family. (3)



FCS 103. Health, Safety, and Nutrition. (2)



FCS 105. Introduction to Family and Child Studies. (3)



FCS 111. Family and Community Collaboration. (3)



FCS 115. Guiding Young Children. (3)



FCS 117. Curriculum Development through Play - Birth through Age 4. (3)



FCS 117L. Practicum: Birth through Age 4. (2)



FCS 202. Introduction to Reading, Language and Literacy. (3)



FCS 203. Infant Growth and Development. (3)



FCS 213. Marriage and Family Relationships. (3)



FCS 217. Curriculum Development and Implementation - Age 3 through Grade 3. (3)



FCS 217L. Practicum: Age 3 to Grade 3. (2)



FCS 220. Assessment of Children and Evaluation of Programs. (3)



FCS 230. Professionalism. (2)



FCS 302. Emergent Literacy: Birth through Pre-K. (3)



FCS 304. Growth and Development in Middle Childhood. (3)



FCS 305. Research and Evaluation in Family and Child Studies. (3)



FCS 310. Friends and Intimate Relationships. (3)



FCS 311. Family, Language and Culture. (3)



FCS 312. Parent-Child Interactions. (3)



FCS 313. Family Theories. (3)



FCS 315. Adolescent Development in the Family. (3)



FCS 316. Early Childhood Pedagogy and Curriculum. (3)



FCS 321. Young Children and Diverse Abilities. (3)



FCS 341. Ecological Aspects of Housing. (3)



FCS 343. Family Management Theories. (3)



FCS 344. Consumer Decisions. (3)



FCS 391 / 591. Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ; 1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



FCS 395. Field Experience. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



FCS 401. Research in Child Growth, Development and Learning. (3)



FCS 402. Teaching and Learning Reading and Writing. (3)



FCS 403. Growth and Development of the Preschool Child. (3)



FCS 405. Advanced Caregiving for Infants and Toddlers. (3)



FCS 406. Teaching and Learning Math and Science. (4)



FCS 407L. Preschool Child Laboratory. (1)



FCS 408. Teaching and Learning in Social Studies, Fine Arts and Movement. (3)



FCS *411. Marriage and Family Life Education. (3)



FCS 412. Fathering. (3)



FCS 416. Adult Development in the Family. (3)



FCS 417L. Teaching and Learning Practicum. (2)



FCS 440. Student Teaching Seminar. (3)



FCS 440L. Student Teaching Laboratory. (9)



FCS 443. Application of Family Management Theories. (3)



FCS 481. Public Policy and Advocacy in Family and Child Studies. (3)



FCS *484. The Sociocultural Context of Families. (3)



FCS 493 / 593. Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ; 1-3, no limit Δ)



FCS 497. Reading and Research in Honors I. (2)



FCS 498. Reading and Research in Honors II. (2)



FCS 499. Honors Thesis. (2)



FCS 501. Parent Education. (3)



FCS 502. Developmental Issues in Families: Early Childhood. (3)



FCS 503. Seminar in Human Growth and Development. (3)



FCS 504. Developmental Issues in Families: Middle Childhood and Adolescence. (3)



FCS 508. Developmental Issues in Families: Adulthood and Aging. (3)



FCS 512. Interventions with Children and Families. (3)



FCS 513. Current Issues in Family and Child Studies. (3, no limit Δ)



FCS 514. Fatherhood. (3)



FCS 515. Young Children Moving Into Literacy. (3)



FCS 516. Advanced Study of Early Childhood Curriculum. (3)



FCS 517. Family Interaction Theories. (3)



FCS 543. Managing Family Resources. (3)



FCS 546. Family Systems Theories. (3)



FCS 547. Global Perspectives in Early Childhood Education. (3)



FCS 570. Research Methods in Family and Child Studies. (3)



FCS 576. Teaching and Learning Through Play. (3)



FCS 581. Seminar in Legal, Ethical and Policy Issues in Family and Child Studies. (3)



FCS 584. Multicultural Issues: Working with Families. (3)



FCS 591 / 391. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ; 1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



FCS 593 / 493. Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ; 1-3, no limit Δ)



FCS 595. Advanced Field Experiences. (3)



FCS 596. Graduate Research Seminar. (3)



FCS 598. Directed Readings in Family and Child Studies. (3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



FCS 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



FCS 610. Applied Developmental Science in Families. (3)



FCS 614. Globalization and International Families. (3)



FCS 615. Human Development in Cultural Contexts. (3)



FCS 620. Sleep and Family Processes. (3)



FCS 622. Seminar in Advanced Study of Early Childhood Education. (3)



FCS 625. Seminar in Self Regulation. (3)



FCS 670. Advanced Seminar in Theory and Research in Family and Child Studies I. (3)



FCS 671. Advanced Seminar in Theory and Research in Family and Child Studies II. (3)



FCS 699. Doctoral Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
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Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809