The Department of Human Development and Family Science has a faculty whose research, teaching, and mentorship has been nationally recognized.
We have a well-established mentoring program, which begins as soon as the student is accepted into HDFS. We actively prepare our students to become successful academic scholars both in terms of research and teaching. The range of careers for which we prepare our students is unparalleled. Since 2000, our program has placed more faculty into research extensive family science departments than any other program in the U.S. We also prepare PhDs and master’s students for applied careers in administration, program evaluation, and program development. Our alumni have positions with universities, colleges, government agencies, research institutes, and human services agencies throughout the United States and internationally. We have developed an outstanding reputation as a place to study individual and family diversity and multiculturalism across the life course. Because we define diversity and multiculturalism broadly, our focus is on the multitude of ways that individuals and families may differ, including, but not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, family structure, nationality, geographic location, and sexual identity.
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Degrees Offered
Doctoral
On Campus
For more information about the PhD program, please visit: https://hdfs.missouri.edu/degrees/phd-program/
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall | January 1 |
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 for last 60 hours
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Human Development and Family Science Program
HDFS uses a paperless application system, so please scan and upload all documents to the Graduate School online application system.
- Transcripts of all college credit
- 3 letters of recommendation from people who can speak to applicant’s potential to do graduate work (e.g., professors, advisors)
- Statement of purpose (Personal statement)
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Writing sample
Master's
100% Online On Campus
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Fall | January 1 |
- Current MU undergraduate students are eligible to apply to this program. To be considered for admission to the accelerated MA program in Human Development & Family Science, a student must:
- Have completed at least 90 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree.
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
For the Human Development and Family Science Program
HDFS uses a paperless application system, so please scan and upload all documents to the Graduate School online application system.
- Transcripts of all college credit
- 1 letter of recommendation from an HDFS faculty member
- Statement of purpose (Personal statement)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Writing sample
100% Online On Campus
The program offer on-campus master’s degrees in Human Development and Family Science, and distance master’s degrees in Human Development and Family Science with emphasis areas in Family and Community Services and Youth Development. For more information about the Master’s programs, please visit: https://hdfs.missouri.edu/degrees/.
Admission Criteria
Application Deadlines
| Degree Delivery | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester |
| On Campus | January 1 | Not accepting applications | Not accepting applications |
| Online* | Rolling | Rolling | Rolling |
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 for last 60 hours
Minimum Language Requirements
Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Human Development and Family Science Program
HDFS uses a paperless application system, so please scan and upload all documents to the Graduate School online application system.
- Transcripts of all college credit
- 3 letters of recommendation from people who can speak to applicant’s potential to do graduate work (e.g., professors, advisors)
- Statement of purpose (Personal statement)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Graduate Certificate
100% Online
Officially approved as:
Stand Alone: Yes
Total Credit Hours: 12
Certificate description: The graduate certificate in Early Childhood and Family Policy seeks to attract individuals who are committed to working on behalf of children and families in pedagogical and nonpedagogical contexts to evaluate, inform, create, and advocate for quality policy. Early childhood and family policy will advance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of those working on behalf of children and families, but perhaps not directly with them.
Certificate web site: https://hdfs.missouri.edu/degrees/early-childhood-family-policy/
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Summer | Rolling |
| Fall | Rolling |
| Spring | Rolling |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Graduate Certificate Program
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- 1 letter of recommendation
100% Online
Officially approved as:
Stand Alone: Yes
Total Credit Hours: 12
Certificate description: This online certificate program will provide students the knowledge and skills to develop, administer, manage, evaluate, and grow programs designed to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families.
Certificate web site:
https://hdfs.missouri.edu/degrees/family-community-services/
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Summer | Rolling |
| Fall | Rolling |
| Spring | Rolling |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Graduate Certificate Program
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- 1 letter of recommendation
100% Online
Officially approved as:
Stand Alone: Yes
Total Credit Hours: 12
Certificate description: A certificate in youth development is ideal for professionals in a variety of youth-related fields. Areas include youth-serving organizations like 4-H; Boys and Girls Club; non-profit organizations; faith-based groups; community recreation facilities; correctional professions; elementary, middle and high school educators; and extension educators.
Note: This is an online certificate.
Certificate web site:
https://hdfs.missouri.edu/degrees/youth-development/
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Summer | Rolling |
| Fall | Rolling |
| Spring | Rolling |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Graduate Certificate Program
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- 1 letter of recommendation
100% Online
Officially approved as:
Stand Alone: Yes
Total Credit Hours: 12
Certificate description: A certificate in youth development is ideal for professionals in a variety of youth-related fields. Areas include youth-serving organizations like 4-H; Boys and Girls Club; non-profit organizations; faith-based groups; community recreation facilities; correctional professions; elementary, middle and high school educators; and extension educators.
Note: This is an online certificate.
Certificate web site:
https://hdfs.missouri.edu/degrees/youth-development/
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Summer | Rolling |
| Fall | Rolling |
| Spring | Rolling |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Graduate Certificate Program
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- 1 letter of recommendation
Interdisciplinary Degree
100% Online
Officially approved as:
Stand Alone: Yes
Total Credit Hours: 12
Certificate description: The graduate certificate in Early Childhood and Family Policy seeks to attract individuals who are committed to working on behalf of children and families in pedagogical and nonpedagogical contexts to evaluate, inform, create, and advocate for quality policy. Early childhood and family policy will advance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of those working on behalf of children and families, but perhaps not directly with them.
Certificate web site: https://hdfs.missouri.edu/degrees/early-childhood-family-policy/
Admission Criteria
| Entrance Term | Application Deadline |
| Summer | Rolling |
| Fall | Rolling |
| Spring | Rolling |
Required Application Materials
For the Graduate School
- Completed Graduate School online application
- Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
- Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)
For the Graduate Certificate Program
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- 1 letter of recommendation