Child and Family Studies (M.S.)

The Child and Family Studies (CFS) graduate program (Human Development and Family Science) offers a more in-depth study of children, adults, and families along the life span. The program prepares individuals who are interested in studying and/or working with families in many settings, including human and social service agencies, and programs for youth, adolescents, and elders. 

The program focuses on family dynamics, how individuals within the family contribute to and are shaped by these dynamics, and how broad societal contexts influence individual and family functioning. 

In addition to our graduate program in CFS, we offer two concentrations to help graduate students plan an area of focus for their studies: child life and family gerontology.

Child Life Concentration

This concentration is great for students who wish to work as a Certified Child Life Specialist, as designated by the Child Life Council (CCLS). As the governing organization that oversees this profession, the CCLS helps normalize the hospitalization experience for children and families, and provides specific services that include preparations for medical procedures, coping skills for children during stressful health care experiences, support for siblings and parents, therapeutic medical play, planning and implementing activities to enhance growth and development, and interdisciplinary team involvement. 

Students in this concentration complete the core courses in the child and family studies program in addition to required courses in child life foundations and theory, psychology, and early childhood and special education. 

Applicants with volunteer experiences (50 hours minimum) in a child life department within a hospital will be given priority application review, so we highly encourage applicants to begin volunteering before the fall semester for which they are applying.

Family Gerontology Concentration

This concentration focuses on aging within the context of families, more specifically the implications, support needs and outcomes for adults and their family members as they age and the quality of their relationships across the life course. Child and family studies students who choose this concentration also will receive a graduate gerontology certificate to help them better prepare for careers advocating for and helping older adults and their family members. 

Students who complete the family gerontology concentration are well prepared to work with mid- to later-life adults and their family members or pursue graduate work in such areas as marriage and family therapy, social work, human development and family studies, rehabilitation services, and public/community health.

Admission Requirements

Graduate program applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA in relevant/related undergraduate program
• 3 letters of recommendation, with at least one letter from an academic professor in applicant’s undergraduate discipline
• Written personal statement (APA Style) that addresses applicant’s reasons for graduate
• Additional requirements, child life concentration:
  • 75 minimum hours of volunteer experience within a child life department in a hospital (documentation required)
  • Medical terminology course
  • Anatomy and Physiology course with a lab
  • Written personal statement must describe the following:
    • Applicant’s introduction to the child life specialist profession
    • Applicant’s relevant background (for example, volunteer experience, undergraduate or professional work)
    • Applicant’s interest in the profession

All application materials must be uploaded to the Ohio University Graduate College application online site in order to have a complete application and be considered for admission.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program. Please review information about Ohio University's minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate study.

Curriculum

Students in the Child and Family Studies master's program complete a set of core required courses designed to help them form a solid foundation and understanding of families, family dynamics, how family members contribute to and are shaped by the dynamics, and how societal contexts influence individual and family functioning.

Students who choose to add a child life or family gerontology concentration are required to take additional courses in their chosen concentration. All students complete a capstone research project and a clinical externship.

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Career Opportunities

Our graduate degree program prepares students to work with families in many settings, including human and social service agencies and programs for youth, adolescents and elders. Students who add a concentration in child life or family gerontology can specialize in fields directly related to their chosen concentration.