Background

The faculty in the Human Development and Family Studies department has become increasingly active in forming partnerships with national, state and local organizations to inform public policy, improve training of human service professionals and teachers, and provide expertise for research and evaluation. Current collaborations include the Family Resource Partnership, the Rhode Island Office of Recruitment & Retention in Early Intervention, and the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center.  These collaborations have highlighted the need for a rigorous program of study that will produce high quality graduates who will become future leaders in human development and human services settings.

Learning Outcomes(PDF)

The program is structured to provide a set of common courses to all students as well as courses specific to each student's professional interests. In addition to coursework, students will have the opportunity to work with a diverse faculty, conduct independent studies, complete a policy or administrative internship, and complete a master's thesis. Click here (PDF) for the program worksheet.

Core Courses (17 credits)

HDF 500	Human Development Seminar	3
HDF 530 or HDF 535	Advanced Family Studies Family and Stress	3
HDF 570	Research Methods in HDF	3
	Second research course focusing on data analysis and interpretation e.g. STA 409, PSY 533 or EDC 625	3
HDF 533	Family Policy and Program Evaluation	3
HDF 580/581	Professional Seminar	2

Specialization Courses (12 credits)

In addition to the core, students will select a specialization from among four general areas: lifespan (including early childhood education, child development, and adulthood/gerontology), public policy/administration, family studies, and family finance/counseling. Under special circumstances, students can design their own specialization with the guidance of their advisor. The specialization will require 12 credits, two of which will be development courses covering specific periods of human development.

Developmental Courses (6 credits required)

Students take at least 2 developmental courses out of the 4 courses listed below and additional courses chosen from those offered within the department or in other related fields, in consultation with advisor, to reflect program focus.

HDF 511	Seminar in Infancy and Early Childhood	3
HDF 512	Seminar in Middle Childhood and Adolescence	3
HDF 513	Seminar in Adult Development	3
HDF 514	Seminar in Older Adulthood	3

Area of Specialization (6 credits required)

The remaining specialization courses will be selected by the student, with input from his or her advisor, from a broad list of specialization courses(PDF) as well as courses identified from other departments that are relevant to the student's field of interest.

• URI Family Resource Partnership
• URI Center for Personal Financial Education
• URI Cooperative Extension
• URI Child Development Center
• URI Geriatric Education Center
• URI Early Intervention Recruitment and Retention Office
• Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America
• Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children
• RI Department of Children, Youth & Families
• University of Pennsylvania Division of Geriatric Medicine
• Brown University Psychology Department
• Public Leadership Education Network
• Rhode Island Governor's Commission on Disabilities

Thesis Research (6 credits) HDF 599

All students will be expected to conduct a Masters’ thesis.  Only 6 credits of thesis will count toward the 41 credit-hour program.

The Masters' thesis is typically conducted under the close supervision of a faculty member. Click here for examples of past thesis research.

Plan of Study

For more information about this program, click onto - Graduate Handbook

III. The Application Process(PDF)

THIS PROGRAM ONLY
ADMITS FOR THE FALL
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO COMMENCE STUDIES IN THE FALL IS
MARCH 30

Disclaimer: The official rules, regulations and admissions qualifications are published in the URI Bulletin. This website does not supercede the Bulletin.