Are you interested in graduate school?

How would I prepare for graduate school?

The School of Family Life (SFL) Academy will help you succeed in graduate school in Family Studies, Human Development, or Marriage and Family Therapy by:

1. Giving you the chance to take graduate level courses
2. Helping you get involved in research with a professor
3. Helping you gain valuable professional socialization

What courses would I take?

Students in the SFL Academy will take several graduate-level courses, taught by some of the best teachers on the SFL faculty. Required courses include an advanced research methods class, taught by Dr. Willoughby, and a theory construction course, taught by Dr. Holmes. Students are also required to take several courses that will enhance critical thinking and improve writing skills.

Would I be involved in research?

In addition to taking courses, Academy students will engage in research with one of the many respected faculty members in the School. This experience will provide you with hands-on research skills by involving you in data collection and analysis and the writing of professional journal articles. Students will also be encouraged to present their work at professional research conferences and even pursue publication in academic journals.

What about personal and professional connections?

The SFL Academy also gives you the chance to gain professional socialization via intensive interactions with SFL faculty and other students in small group settings. Class sizes are small and one-on-one interaction with faculty is highly encouraged. Because Academy students have similar career goals, you and your peers will have unique experiences (and challenges!) not available elsewhere.

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Please prepare a type-written document with the following information

**Prerequisites: SFL Core and at least one upper-division SFL class

1. Full Name and e-mail address
2. Major, Year in School, Expected Graduation Date
3. Overall GPA, Major GPA, ACT/SAT Score
4. Research experience
5. A brief letter of intent that includes why you feel you would be a good candidate for The Academy, your graduate school plans, and your career plans
6. A brief professional/research writing sample (no longer than one page). This could be a paragraph or page of a paper from one of your SFL classes
7. The names of two or three SFL faculty members who might be willing to work with you on a to be determined 403R research project

Apply now! This year's application is due: February 15, to Dr. Loren Marks at loren_marks@byu.edu

School of Family Life Academy

Required Courses:

Advanced Research Methods:

MFHD 513 (Applied Statistics in the Social Sciences)

Advanced Theory:

MFHD 514 (Theories of Human Development)

Advanced Writing (take at least one below):

SFL 351 (Socialization Across Childhood)
SFL 453 (Moral Development)
SFL 460 (Advanced Family Process)

Advanced Research Experience:

SFL 403R (Research Practicum)

Recommended Courses:

Advanced Writing:

SFL 335 (Family Adaptation and Resiliency)
SFL 351 (Socialization Across Childhood)
SFL 453 (Moral Development)
SFL 460 (Advanced Family Process)

Advanced Theory:

SFL 336 (Theories in Family Perspective)
SFL 490 (Advanced Issues in Human Development)

To apply:

Please prepare a type-written document with the following information

**Prerequisites: SFL Core and at least one upper-division SFL class

1. Full Name and e-mail address
2. Major, Year in School, Expected Graduation Date
3. Overall GPA, Major GPA, ACT/SAT Score
4. Research experience
5. A brief letter of intent that includes why you feel you would be a good candidate for The Academy, your graduate school plans, and your career plans
6. A brief professional/research writing sample (no longer than one page). This could be a paragraph or page of a paper from one of your SFL classes
7. The names of two or three SFL faculty members who might be willing to work with you on a to be determined 403R research project

Due: February 15, to Dr. Loren Marks at loren_marks@byu.edu