Overview:

The Master of Arts in Family and Child Studies at Montclair State University prepares dedicated practitioners and scholars to address the needs of families and children across the lifespan. Graduates pursue careers working in a variety of areas, including:

• Community agencies and non-profit organizations serving families
• State agencies focusing on older adults or youth and their families
• Residential treatment facilities
• Foster and/or adoptive care organizations
• Early childhood education
• Academic institutions
• Hospitals
• Corporations
• Research
• Advocacy and social policy

Graduates are also prepared to pursue post-graduate and doctoral education in several areas, including Family Studies, Human Development, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Law, Education and other related areas.

Individuals Interested in pursuing the MA/PhD should visit the PhD in Family Studies

Program and Faculty:

The program is designed to provide students with sophisticated understandings of the complexities of the family experience and of services aimed to assist families and children. Course work is designed to integrate theoretical and empirical knowledge to critically evaluate family and child dynamics, challenges, strengths and strategies for problem prevention, intervention and practice. Fieldwork is incorporated in the curriculum.

Courses in the program are offered in day and evening formats to meet the needs of full-time and part-time students. Courses may also be offered in hybrid and/or online formats, and during the summer and winter sessions. It will take approximately two years for full-time students and approximately three years for part time students to complete the program. Students willing to take summer and winter courses may be able to accelerate this schedule, so that full-time students may complete the program in 15 months.

Some graduate assistantships will be offered for incoming full-time students. Assistantships are diverse in nature and encompass a wide variety of responsibilities, such as working with faculty on research and instructional support.

Faculty members in the Department of Family and Child Studies represent a diverse set of academic disciplines including Family Studies, Human Development, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work. Graduate students are encouraged to work collaboratively with faculty members on cutting edge research that includes issues such as family diversity, violence, development across the lifespan, family dynamics, environmental constraints and supports, and the connection between family and education. The program also offers students unique research and fieldwork opportunities to engage with diverse families. Our program places a strong emphasis on social justice, and ecological and multicultural perspectives.

Admission Information:

All candidates must meet application and admission requirements as defined by The Graduate School.

Course Requirements:

Please note that additional courses are still being finalized for Fall 2012, so this program of study is subject to change.

The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Fall 2008. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.

Required Courses
Number	Name	Hours
FCST 501	Seminar in Family and Child Studies	3
FCST 506	Introductory Statistical Methods in Family and Child Studies	3
FCST 507	Research in Family and Child Studies	3
FCST 509	Research Seminar	3
FCST 544	Intercultural Study of Family	3
FCST 620	Social Policy and the Family	3
FCST 640	Family Theories	3
Electives:
Select any 9 credits, 500 level or above with advisement
Culminating Experience:
FCST 698	Master's Thesis	3
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