Human Development and Family Studies (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The on-campus M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies is offered in a research (thesis, Plan A) track for students planning a Ph.D. and a professional (non-thesis, Plan B) track for students seeking a professional position. The department offers graduate education in an inclusive, interdisciplinary environment with faculty expertise in child development, couple and family therapy, and diversity, youth and family development.

Faculty: College of Social Science | Department: Human Development and Family Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Plan A committees have at least three faculty members and Plan B at least two, including the adviser; students select a permanent adviser before completing 12 credit hours.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

HDFS graduate applicants: GRE not required (as of Fall 2023; scores from the last five years encouraged for PhD, MS Plan A and international applicants). At least three recommenders submitted through the MSU portal (at least one academic or work supervisor). Academic statement, personal statement and resume or CV; writing sample encouraged. Applicants whose native language is not English submit scores from an MSU-accepted English proficiency exam. Official transcripts required. MS applicants choose Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (project). Deadlines: Plan A Fall December 1; Plan B Fall and Summer February 1, Spring October 1.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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