Course of Study

The student's course of study is guided by a graduate committee comprised of three faculty members. The student's major adviser, another faculty member from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and a third member is selected from faculty outside the department. The Department of Human Development & Family Studies at Colorado State University has two options for the research component of the graduate program—a Plan A Thesis OR a Plan B Research project. Students who plan to obtain a Ph.D. degree after the Master’s program, who seek a career in applied research or program evaluation, and/or who plan to conduct research relatively independently as a part of their career should pursue a Plan A Thesis project. Those who plan an applied career as a Marriage & Family Therapist, Child Life Specialist, or interventionist AND who do not plan to conduct independent research as part of their professional life AND who do not plan to pursue a Ph.D. after their Master’s may elect to conduct a smaller scale research project as part of the Plan B option. Students must make a decision to pursue the Plan A or Plan B option no later than the end of their first year of the Master’s program, as a part of their declaration of their program of study, and they should make this decision in collaboration with their advisors.

A minimum of 42-45 credits including a thesis or smaller ("Plan B") research project must be completed. MFT students are required to take additional credits to meet AAMFT requirements. All students must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Five courses designed to expose the student to fundamental concepts of lifespan development and family functioning, and to develop research skills: (13 credits)
   • 
     HDFS 500 Issues in Human Development & Family Studies
   • HDFS 524 Family Theory
   • HDFS 501 Readings in the Discipline
   • HDFS 550 Research Methods I
   • HDFS 650 Research Methods II
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2. Thesis (6 credits) or Research for Plan B (3 credits)
   The thesis is a scholarly, empirical paper. The student tests specific hypotheses by collecting and analyzing qualitative or quantitative data or by analyzing an existing data set, or by analyzing an existing data set. For Plan B projects, students complete a smaller paper, describing the research work carried out under the guidance of the student's committee. Please note: Students desiring to go on to a PhD in our program must complete a thesis. To register for thesis credit, one must complete the HD699 Thesis form and return it to one's thesis advisor.
    
3. Program Emphasis Courses (26-43 credits)
   Students in Family and Developmental Studies complete a program emphasis of at least 26 credits that focus on a chosen academic or career area. Each student designs an individualized course of study under the guidance of the major adviser and thesis committee. Students in Marriage and Family Therapy complete 43 credits in addition to the core courses and thesis/Plan B project. These additional credits include 21 for field placement and internship, a sequence of MFT theories and skills courses, and various electives that link normative development and family functioning to intervention.