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Program:
Marriage, Family, & Human Development
MS

Marriage, Family, & Human Development

Application Deadline

  • Fall: Jan 10
  • Contact Information

    2086 JFSB
    801-422-2060
    mfhdgrad@byu.edu
    Website
    Admission Requirements
    Additional Requirements
    • GRE not required
    • Letters of Recommendation: Should be from individuals who can evaluate your current academic and/or professional skills and abilities. Character reference letters from friends, family or acquaintances are not appropriate.
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Academic paper:
      • Writing Sample: Upload a recent (or as recent as possible) example of academic writing. This should be at least two written pages (no page maximum). This example should reflect the best of your writing abilities and should be written entirely by you. Do not include writing completed with the use of AI.
    Program Requirements
    The MS degree in MFHD provides students with a broad-based understanding in family sciences and human development. For some the MS is a terminal graduate degree that enhances professional opportunities. For other students this degree is designed to prepare them for doctoral study.

    The graduate program is designed to address the theories, research, and practices that (1) strengthen marriages, (2) enhance the development of children, and (3) unfold the characteristics of quality nurturing relationships across generations.
    Typically from six to ten students are admitted each year to the program, with the proportion of MS and PhD degree candidates varying each year.


    For additional information about scholarships, assistantships, ongoing faculty research programs, and research facilities, go to http://mfhd.byu.edu/


    Requirements for Degree.

    36 credit hours of course work, distributed as follows:

    Human Development - 6 credit hours:

    MFHD 611 (3.0 credits) Advances in Human Development

    One elective Human Development content course (3.0 credits)

    Family Studies - 6 credit hours:

    MFHD 612 (3.0 credits) Introduction to Research and Theory in Family Studies

    One elective Family Studies content course (3.0 credits)

    Theory - 3 credit hours:

    MFHD 514 (3.0 credits) Theories of Human Development

    Methods & Statistics - 15 credit hours:

    MFHD 513 (3.0 credits) Applied Statistics in the Social Sciences

    MFHD 691 (3.0 credits) Graduate Research Methods

    MFHD 600 (3.0 credits) Multiple Regression

    MFHD 605 (3.0 credits) Structural Equation Modeling in Social Sciences

    One elective Methods & Statistics course (3.0 credits)

    Thesis - 6 credit hours:

    MFHD 699R (6.0 credits) Master's Thesis

    Program of Study

    Prospectus

    Thesis

    Exam: oral defense of thesis and course work
    Program Outcomes
    Marriage, Family, and Human Development Fundamentals
    Demonstrate knowledge of the dominant theories, main research findings, & contemporary issues in the research literature in fields related to Marriage, Family, and Human Development.

    Research Skills
    Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in the general research methods and statistics used in fields related to Marriage, Family, and Human Development.

    Effective Research Analysis and Reporting
    Synthesize existing research: design, analyze, and report original research that contributes to a scholarly specialty/focus.

    Program Stats
    Characteristics of Students from Past Academic Year
    Total Students 27.0
    International 1.0
    Male 2.0
    Female 25.0
    LDS 27.0
    BYU Undergraduate 26.0
    Five Year Average of Graduated Students
    Average Years to Degree 1.89
    Graduated Per Year 18.6
    GMAT Quantitative Percentile 67.5
    Five Year Average of Admitted Students
    Applied Per Year 18.8
    Admitted Per Year 11.6
    Percent Admitted 61.7
    Average GPA 3.62