Family Sciences MS

The Family Sciences Master’s (M.S.) program uses an integrative approach to learning about improving individual, family, and community well-being. The program prepares students for immediate employment in their chosen area or for advanced training in a doctoral program. 

 

There are four areas of emphasis: (a) Adolescent Development, (b) Couple and Family Therapy, (c) Family Finance and Economics, and (d) Family Processes. The Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) emphasis is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).   

  

 

Admission Requirements

Students must have a bachelor’s degree prior to admission into the Master’s program. Admissions are conducted one time each year; the application deadline is January 15 for admission Fall Semester of the same calendar year. Applicants must submit a statement of their academic goals for the M.S. degree and three letters of recommendation (including one from outside of the Department of Family Sciences for UK undergraduate students).

 

See https://fam.ca.uky.edu/content/applications-and-admissions for details. 

 

Degree Requirements

Credit Requirements: 

• Total credit hours required: 30 

• Total credit hours required for CFT emphasis area (only): 53 

Course requirements for all emphasis areas: 

• FAM 652 THEORIES AND FRAMEWORKS IN FAMILY SCIENCE  (3)

• FAM 658 ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT  (3)

• FAM 668 FAMILY FINANCE AND ECONOMICS  (3)

• FAM 678 FAMILY PROCESSES   (3) 

   

• FAM 690 RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY SCIENCE  (3) 

• FAM 775 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR  (1)

• Entry-level Master’s Statistics Course (3)

• Elective coursework in emphasis area (5)

• Thesis or Scholarly Project (6) 

 

Additional requirements for CFT emphasis area: 

• FAM 640 USING THE DSM IN CFT ASSESSMENT  (3) 

• FAM 745 FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN PLAY THERAPY  (3) 

• FAM 685 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN COUPLE AND FAMILY INTERVENTION  (3) 

• FAM 686 THEORY AND METHODS IN COUPLE AND FAMILY THERAPY  (3) 

• FAM 740 COUPLE AND SEX THERAPY  (3) 

• FAM 787 SUPERVISED PRACTICE OF COUPLE/FAMILY THERAPY   (10) 

Electives: 

• All students will work with their advisory committee to select a data analysis course (qualitative or quantitative). Students in the Adolescent Development, Family Finance and Economics, and Family Processes emphasis areas will work their advisory committee to select at least 5 credit hours in their emphasis area. 
• Students in the CFT emphasis area must follow the proscribed course of study. 

 

For an overview of the MS program in Family Sciences please visit: https://fam.ca.uky.edu/content/masters-program 

 

Two Graduate Certificates are Offered for CFT emphasis students, mental health professionals or students working towards and Master’s of Ph.D. in a mental health specialization:

• Family Financial Therapy: https://fam.ca.uky.edu/content/family-financial-therapy
• Play Therapy: https://fam.ca.uky.edu/content/play-therapy

 

Example two-year plans can be found on the following website: ​https://fam.ca.uky.edu/content/curriculum-0