Family Sciences, MSFS

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, and also provides an excellent foundation for subsequent matriculation into a doctoral program. 

Five emphasis areas are available in the family sciences master’s program: (a) adolescent development, (b) aging, (c) couple and family therapy, (d) family finance and economics, and (e) family processes. The couple and family therapy (CFT) emphasis area 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. See https://fam.ca.uky.edu/content/applications-and-admissions for details. 

 

Degree Requirements

Credit Requirements: 

• Total credit hours required for non-CFT emphasis areas: 30 

• Total credit hours required for CFT emphasis area: 53 

Course requirements for all emphasis areas: 

• FAM 601 FAMILY PROCESSES  (3 credit hours)  

• FAM 652 READINGS IN FAMILY THEORY AND RESEARCH  (3)  

• FAM 654 THE LIFE COURSE PERSPECTIVE ON FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS  (3) 

• FAM 668 ALLOCATION OF FAMILY RESOURCES  (3) 

• FAM 690 RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY SCIENCE  (3) 

• FAM 775 SEMINAR IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY RELATIONS  (1) 

• 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 (e.g., qualitative or quantitative). Students in the adolescent development, aging, 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. 

• Other than the data analysis course, students in the CFT emphasis follow a proscribed course of study. 

Program Websites 

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

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