Family & Consumer Sciences
The master’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences provides students with opportunities to develop a deeper, applied understanding of family and human development theory, research methods, and program planning and evaluation. Students gain knowledge not only in theory and research but also in applying these concepts to real-world contexts with individuals and families. They are trained to identify family strengths and use evidence-based practices to support people across the lifespan. For more career information, see Exploring Careers. The program accommodates both full-time graduate students and working professionals who need flexibility.
The Family and Consumer Sciences Teaching Endorsement is available for students who already hold teaching licenses. Those students may pursue an added endorsement in family and consumer sciences education, designed for students who wish to become licensed to teach Family and Consumer Sciences in grades 5-12. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible to pursue licensure in the state of Montana. For more information on admission to the Teacher Education Program, student teaching, licensure, professional expectations and more, please visit the Teacher Education Program section of this catalog. Students pursuing this added endorsement will work with an advisor to determine required courses and specific electives.
Required Courses
| CHTH 548 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Educational Statistics I | ||
or HDFS 515 | Statistical Approaches to Studying Children, Families and Communities | |
| HDFS 535 | Contemporary Issues in Human Development | 3 |
| HDFS 545 | Contemporary Family Issues | 3 |
| HDFS 598 | Internship | 3 |
| HHD 501 | Research Methods in HHD I | 3 |
| HHD 512 | Research Methods in HHD II | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 6-10 | |
| Professional Paper and Project (10 cr. required) | ||
or HDFS 590 | Master's Thesis | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 36-40 | |
Electives
| Distance education options | ||
| AC 502 | Psychopharmacology and Addictions | 3 |
| AC 504 | Alcohol and Drug Studies | 3 |
| CHTH 405 | Caregiving & Aging Families | 3 |
| CHTH 430 | Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| HDFS 451 | Trauma and Recovery: A Lifespan Perspective | 3 |
| HDFS 465R | Family Law & Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 525 | Family Finance and Resource Management: Teaching & Outreach | 3 |
| HDFS 530 | Culinary and Nutrition Instruction in Family and Consumer Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 572 | Professional Practicum | 2-6 |
| HDFS 592 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| HDFS 598 | Internship | 2-12 |
| On-campus options | ||
| BMGT 469 | Community Entrepreneurship & Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| CHTH 428 | Health Disparities | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| CHTH 503 | Community-Based Participatory Research: Research, Practice, and Policy | 3 |
| EDEC 430 | Social and Emotional Development in the Young Child | 3 |
| EDEC 450 | Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EDM 412 | Methods: 5-12 Family Consumer Science | 3 |
| HDFS 419 | STEAM: Clothing & Textiles Instruction in FCS | 3 |
| HDFS 450 | Curric Dev in FCS Education | 3 |
| HDFS 457 | Family Life Education | 3 |
| HDFS 460 | Parenting | 3 |
| HDFS 464 | Gender, Race, Class, and Family Diversity | 3 |
| HDFS 465R | Family Law & Public Policy | 3 |