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Master of Arts in Human Services
Family Life Emphasis
This program is NCFR approved and graduates will be Certified Family Life Educators.
Program Objective
The primary objective of this degree is to articulate the definition and role of the Human Service professional - particularly the role of the family life professional. The broad principles and philosophy of family life education are explored including the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate such educational programs, and the ability to define and establish leadership within the field.
Course Descriptions
ED 585 Synthesizing Seminar I - 1 credit
The culminating project of the master's program is the capstone, a research project designed to help learners generate new information for their field. Explanation of the capstone process will take place, along with a dialog regarding possible capstone topics.
ED 586 Synthesizing Seminar II - 2 credits
This second synthesizing seminar pulls together the previous components of the research narrative, program courses in the student's emphasis, and interests in one of the capstone options. Simply stated, the primary task is to develop and write a capstone proposal, one that the student actually intends to carry out. This involves a thesis or project. The Capstone proposal can be developed from the ÒmockÓ proposal developed so far in the program of study.
ED 595 Capstone - 1 credit
As the final work submitted by a graduate student, and in respect to the guidelines for research base, analysis and synthesis, the students have three options in which they may design their closing assignment. Students can choose from a thesis, portfolio, or project style to complete their graduate experience
FAS 504 Systemic Dynamics of Families - 3 credits
This course is designed to provide an understanding of family strengths and weaknesses in light of internal dynamics of the family. Students will explore the family as a system of relationships extending across the family life cycle. The course includes a survey of current developments in the study of family and analysis of changes in American society and their influences on family life. Emphasis is placed on using family systems processes to examine and understand the internal dynamics of the family that lead to effective family life education program planning, implementation, and assessment.
FAS 505 Families in Society - 3 credits
This course familiarizes the student with an understanding of the history, evolution, and demographics of the family. Kinship, family structures, functions, and roles are explored. Particular emphasis will be placed on the family's relationship to other systems and institutions in society.
FAS 525 Public Policy and Applied Ethics - 3 credits
This course explores historical development of laws and public policy affecting families. Ethics and ethical implications of social change will be explored. Students will understand the legal definition of the family and laws that affect the status of the family. The course will focus on the role of the family life educator as an advocate for the well-being of the family. The formation of social values, respect for the diversity of values, and the social consequences of value choices are discussed within a family life education framework.
FAS 530 Family Communication and Relationships - 3 credits
This course familiarizes the student with an understanding of the psychological, spiritual, and social aspects of developing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. An emphasis will be placed on the physiological, psychological, social, and sexual development of relationships across the life span.
FAS 531 The Researcher-Practitioner in Family Life Education - 2 credits
Students will discuss what it means to be a life long learner. The course will focus on the learning that takes place in the professional setting of the family life educator. Issues of creative thinking, scholarly research, continuous learning, ethical frameworks, and creative problem solving are discussed in light of clarifying the relationship between research and practice. Students explore reflective thinking as it relates to the current practice of family life education.
FAS 532 Navigating the Oceans of Data and Information in Family Life Education - 3 credits
The course is designed to introduce the scope and function of information and the research process in family studies. The course will introduce students to types and fundamental concepts and process in the research literature. Problem solving is viewed as one of the primary functions of the research literature information, leading to strategies and action for solutions and change. Students will gain experience developing a framework for consuming the research literature and information in family studies.
FAS 533 Family Studies and Family Life Education- 2 credits
This course familiarizes the student with the study of various family problems, stressors, and changes prevalent in today's society. Selected family issues are examined in light of the family life educator's role. Included in the discussion are the current issues affecting the nature of the profession, the family life education professional, various roles of the family life educator, and various theoretical stances that inform the family life educator's work with family problems and stressors? Students will develop specific sources focused on a specific topic of interest and a critical review paper outlining a current issue's impact on the family.
FAS 534 Reflexive Assessment and Evaluation in Family Life Education - 3 credits
This course reviews the connection between research methods and the research question or problem. Students will explore the role of assessment and evaluation in family life education. Various forms of assessment will be considered with an emphasis on the recursive nature of assessment. Students will experience the process of establishing an assessment strategy for a program in family life education.
FAS 540 Family Decision Making and Resource Management - 2 credits
This course familiarizes the student with an understanding of the decisions individuals make about developing and allocating resources to meet their goals. The focus of the course is on internal dynamics of family decision-making processes and on the goal-directed behaviors of families in improving their quality of life. Topics include: decision-making, valuing, planning, communication, and organization skills for resource use.
FAS 550 Seminar in Human Growth and Development - 3 credits
This course, in seminar style, explores the classical theories of human development and family studies (physical, emotional, cognitive, social, moral, sexual, spiritual, and personality). A focus of basic concepts, assumptions, strengths and limitations of developmental theory will be examined. Topics of discussion include child, adolescent, adult, and later adulthood concerns.
FAS 560 Intimate Relationships - 2 credits
The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the emotional and psychological aspects of intimate relationships. Topics include: dating and courtship; love and romance; and sexual behavior, values and decision-making. An emphasis will be on sexuality and intimacy in interpersonal relationships across the lifespan.
FAS 570 Parent Education - 3 credits
This course explores how parents teach, guide, and influence their children and adolescents. The course will emphasize parenting as a process, a responsibility, and a role that changes across the life span. Variations in parenting practices will be discussed in the context of building on strengths; empowering parents, and remaining sensitive to individual and community needs.
FAS 575 Methodology and Leadership in Family Life Education - 3 credits
This course provides the student with a conceptual framework for programming family life education. Students will apply the methodology of adult learning to the broad principles of family life education. Attention is directed at developing the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate family life education programming. Through the lens of reflective practice, an emphasis is placed on educational methodology and leadership. In addition, networking with community agencies and the resources and challenges of technology in delivering family life education is explored.
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