Master of Science, Marriage and Family Studies (MAFAM.MS)

Program Objectives

At the end of the master’s program, the graduate should have acquired the necessary advanced skills, knowledge, and experience to:

1. Administer programs designed to provide support to families in a wide variety of community service settings.
2. Collect data about individuals, couples and families through the use of interviews, case histories, psychometric instruments, observational techniques and relational methods.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of human development across the lifespan.
4. Effectively communicate with diverse cultural groups.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of special needs populations (e.g., persons in poverty, physical abuse victims, substance abusers, and juvenile offenders).
6. Interpret and evaluate research data.
7. Demonstrate a sensitivity to, and an appreciation of, the spiritual needs of individuals, couples, and families.

Program of Study

The program is composed of a minimum of four semesters of approved graduate study. The typical full-time student will complete the program by following a 2-year track. A minimum of 36 semester hours is required. The program core provides educational preparation in human growth and development, human sexuality, systems theory, and research. This program is not intended for those seeking licensure. Rather, this is an ideal program for those wanting to work in administrative roles in family service agencies or in family ministries at a church. This program requires either a final comprehensive exam or a thesis. The thesis option is ideal for students considering doctoral work in family studies. This degree program is offered at both our Cleveland, Tennessee campus as well as on the campus of ETS in Kniebis, Germany.  This program offered on the ETS campus results in a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Studies.