Family and Community Services Specialization (Online)
Master of Science (M.S.) in Child, Youth and Family Studies
This 100% online master's degree program is offered through the University of Nebraska Lincoln in collaboration with seven universities as part of the The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) Program, and equips you to help children, youth, adults, families and communities in a variety of ways. Through the Family and Community Services program you will learn how to manage and evaluate programs; expand your knowledge about how lifespan development, stress and crisis and interpersonal dynamics impact individuals, families and communities; and pick from a variety of specialized topics such as families in poverty, grant development and family policy.
Degree Program Outcomes
Students in this program will demonstrate:
- A research-based perspective to understand individual, family, interpersonal and community dynamics across the lifespan
- Knowledge and skills related to the design, implementation, evaluation and sustainability of family and community service programs
- Essential knowledge and skills for leadership and management of family and community service programs
- Knowledge of impact of diversity in the delivery of family and community services in a global society context
- A commitment to practicing professional and ethical responsibility.
Careers
Army Community Services
Pre/Post Deployment Assistance
Family Advocacy Program
Child Development Centers
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
Emergency Shelter
Crisis Center
Core Faculty Members
What can you do with a Family and Community Services master's degree?
Graduates of this program often work in public, private, and nonprofit organizations in areas such as county extension offices, military community services, family advocacy programs, child development centers, social service agencies, crisis centers, etc.
Great Plains IDEA Overview
Through this program, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is your home university, but you will have the unique opportunity to take courses from experts around the nation. Your home university is where you pay tuition, manage your program, receive academic advising and meet graduation requirements. While you take courses online at each of the participating universities, your home university will award the diploma at the completion of the program.
This fully online program is available at a fixed tuition price across Great Plains IDEA universities and offers maximum flexibility and the ability to study at your own pace.
Through this degree you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen your local community by designing, implementing, evaluating and sustaining quality programs. Students will learn to empower families during times of transition or stress while recognizing the role of diversity in family and community dynamics.
Program At A Glance
| Total Credit Hours | Completion Time | Next Application Due: |
| 36 hours | 30 months | Rolling Deadline |
Application to this program
Required materials:
1. Graduate Studies Application
2. Unofficial Transcripts
3. Resume
4. Statement of Professional Goals
In your Statement of Professional Goals, address the following:
-What personal and/or professional experiences have led you to want to pursue a degree in Family and Community Services?
-What are your professional goals and how will this degree help you achieve those?
-This is an on-line program. Please describe your academic strengths and weaknesses related to successfully managing on-line coursework. If you do not have prior academic experience in on-line courses, please indicate so.
5. Three Letters of Reference
Ensure that at least one reference letter is academic (e.g., instructor, advisor) and any non-academic letters are professional (e.g., relevant employer)
Other Application Materials LEARN MORE & APPLY
Degree Requirements
Family and Community Services Online Curriculum
Required Core Classes:
30 hours of core courses required
| Course Number | Title |
| CYAF 853 | Crises Across the Lifespan |
| CYAF 854 | Family Dynamics |
| CYAF 827 | Lifespan Development |
| CYAF 856 | Foundations and Principles in Family and Community Services |
| CYAF 859 | Interpersonal Relationships |
| CYAF 827 | Lifespan Development |
| CYAF 838 | Parenting Education |
| CYAF 869 | Administration and Program Management-FAM |
| CYAF 873 | Program Design, Evaluation and Implementation-FAM |
| CYAF 849 | Resilience in Families |
| CYAF 896 | Advanced Ind Study - FAM |
Elective Courses:
6 hours of elective courses required
| Course Number | Title |
| CYAF 893 | Special topics: Nongovernmental Organizations and Families |
| CYAF 893 | Special Topics: Families in Poverty |
| CYAF 893 | Special Topics: Grant Development & Management |
| CYAF 893 | Special Topics: Family Policy |