The Master’s degree in MFHD is designed to address the theories, research, and practices that strengthen marriages, enhance the development of children, and unfold the characteristics of quality nurturing relationships across generations. It is a 33 credit hour program.  Eighteen hours consist of core credits and 15 hours consist of elective credits.

During the first year in the MS program, students participate in a core curriculum that provides a broad-based understanding of theories, research findings, issues, methods and application strategies in the field. Students then have some flexibility in how they build on this foundation during the second year. They work with their advisor to design a program of study.

Some students want a program of study that will prepare them for doctoral study at BYU or another university. Students with this  objective, design programs that emphasize theories, philosophical issues, research methods, research experience and methods of teaching.

Some students desire a master’s degree that will help them be more effective educators and administrators in secondary schools. These students design a program of study that integrates recent developments in the field with professional settings.

Students who want a certificate in the Family Life Education should take MFHD 566 (Family Life Education in the University) and MFHD 567 (Practicum in Family Life Education) in addition to their Master’s degree courses.

These examples illustrate the variability in the type of program students can design, but is not an exhaustive list. Students can also take courses in family resource management, theory building, fathering and work issues. In addition they may choose a course from related departments such as sociology, psychology, social work, history , etc. Thus, the program does not have a group of structured tracks or specializations. Instead, it provides a base in studying about families and development and an array of educational experiences designed to be  valuable to a variety of students.

The Master’s degree can be the conclusion of study, or it can prepare students for additional graduate training in related areas of interest.