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Family and Child Studies Academic Programs: Graduate Ph.D in Family Studies Director: Dr. Jonathan Caspi Office: University Hall, Room 4182 Phone Number: (973) 655-6905 Email: phdfamily@montclair.edu Overview: Family Studies is a multi- and interdisciplinary field, drawing on a range of social science disciplines including sociology, social work, education, gerontology, and community and developmental psychology. The Ph.D. in Family Studies program considers family life within larger socio-cultural contexts and explores how issues of power, privilege, and social justice interact to differentially impact family configurations. The program’s unique strengths include: Individually focused areas of study sustained throughout the coursework Integrating theory, research and practice with a focus on the local context Preparation of scholars and practitioners as advocates for positive change for family well-being The Ph.D. in Family Studies program prepares students to: Bring an interdisciplinary, critical lens to the analysis of challenges and issues that impact the well-being of families across the life course; Conduct research that furthers the field of Family Studies and contributes to the knowledge base of diverse family forms; Develop an in-depth understanding of an area of Family Studies of their own choosing through focused study; Be effective advocates in their chosen areas of expertise for policies, practices, and interventions that would support the development and well-being of families across the life course. Due to the multi and interdisciplinary nature of the program, our students come from a variety of fields, including family studies, education, early intervention, social work, human services, gerontology, psychology, and nursing. Family Studies professionals focus on the strengths and challenges of the family unit, examining a diverse range of family issues and seeking solutions to family problems. The applied, multidisciplinary focus of the discipline makes Ph.D. graduates very attractive to employers in higher education, government, and nonprofit and private sectors. Graduates of the program will be prepared to pursue a wide range of professional opportunities as faculty members in colleges and universities, program administrators, researchers and evaluators, and policymakers, and positions in organizations focusing on children, youth, adults, older adults, and families. Students admitted to the program will have the opportunity to work with faculty members pursuing research in a wide variety of areas related to families, including: Cultural and social issues affecting parenting and families Sibling relationships Relational aggression and bullying among adolescents Intimate partner violence Immigrant families Transition to young adulthood Aging family relationships and intergenerational dynamics Substance abuse, depression and suicide among young people African American families and first-generation college students For more information on our faculty members and their areas of research, please visit this page. Program for Students Entering with a Master’s Degree : I. Core Courses (12 S.H.) Number Name Semester Hours FCST 842 Critique of Family Processes 3 FCST 844 Power & Intersectionality of Social Locations 3 FCST 820 Critical Change and Advocacy 3 FCST 821 Professional Seminar in Policy Studies 3   II.Fieldwork (3-6 S.H.) FCST 850 Fieldwork 3-6   III. Electives (6-9 S.H.) Electives will be selected in consultation with student's advisor.   IV. Research (12 S.H.) ELRS 820 Qualitative Research 3 ELRS 821 Quantitative Research 3 ELRS 823 or 824 Advanced Qualitative or Quantitative Research 3 FCST 898 Dissertation Seminar 3   V. Dissertation (12 S.H.)   Program total for those students entering with a Master’s degree: Minimum of 48 Semester Hours

Program for Students Entering with a Bachelor’s Degree :

I. Core Courses (24 S.H.)
Number	Name	Semester Hours
FCST 501	Seminar in Family & Child Studies	3
FCST 540	Interdisciplinary Study of Family	3
FCST 620	Social Policy & the Family	3
FCST 640	Family Theories	3
FCST 842	Critique of Family Processes	3
FCST 844	Power & Intersectionality of Social Locations	3
FCST 820	Critical Change and Advocacy	3
FCST 821	Professional Seminar in Policy Studies	3
II.Fieldwork (6-12 S.H.)
FCST 650	Fieldwork	3-6
FCST 850	Fieldwork	3-6
III. Electives (3-9 S.H.)
Electives will be selected in consultation with student's advisor.
IV. Research (18 S.H.)
FCST 507	Research in Fam. & Child Studies	3
FCST 509	Research Seminar (taken concurrently with FCST 650)	3
ELRS 820	Qualitative Research	3
ELRS 821	Quantitative Research	3
ELRS 823 or 824	Advanced Qualitative or Quantitative Research	3
FCST 898	Dissertation Seminar	3
V.Master's Thesis (3 S.H.)
FCST 698	Master's Thesis	3
VI. Dissertation (12 S.H.)
FCST 900	Dissertation Advisement	12
Program total for those students entering with a Bachelor’s degree: Minimum of 72 Semester Hours

Admission and Program Completion:

Admissions criteria to be considered for the doctoral program include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field and a strong record in previous academic work.

Students entering with a master’s degree will complete a minimum of 48 semester hours. The faculty mentor will consult with the students to determine which previously earned graduate credits can be accepted and if any additional course work beyond the 48 semester hours will be required to earn the Ph.D.

Students entering with a bachelor’s degree will be required to take a minimum of 72 semester hours for the doctoral degree. These students will begin the graduate experience with 500 and 600-level course work and progress into the 800-level doctoral courses.

In order for students entering from the bachelor’s level to continue to the doctoral program, students must first successfully complete 24-semester hours of course work with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. If it is determined that a student cannot continue in the doctoral program, he/she will have the option to complete the 32 semester hours for the Master’s degree in Family and Child Studies.

Following completion of the 60 semester hours of course work and the successful advancement to doctoral candidacy, students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of dissertation research. Upon successful completion and defense of the dissertation, students will be awarded a Ph.D.

Admission Deadline:

The application deadline for the Fall 2013 cohort will be February 1, 2013. To apply online, please visit the Graduate School web site (http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/prospective/admisreq.php).