Human Development and Family Studies

Interdepartmental Program

The College of Human Sciences offers a Master of Family and Consumer Sciences (MFSC) degree (non-thesis) or students may choose an online specialization from the various departments within the college.

The Master of Family and Consumer Sciences degree specialization track in HDFS provides students with the opportunity to enhance their background knowledge and skills for working with children and families. Specifically, the objectives of this track allow students to:

Obtain knowledge of basic theory and research methods in human development and family studies
Acquire basic tools in statistics for informed consumption of research

A variety of opportunities exist for employment in human service agencies, child care centers, intervention programs, outreach, personal and financial resource management, and careers related to housing needs. Each program is individualized to optimize the existing background of the student for further development and expansion of skills and knowledge. Students with backgrounds in child/human development, family studies, education, psychology, sociology, and economics may find a good fit in the department for their academic goals. The requirements for the MFCS degree with program in human development and family studies includes 19 credits in theories and research methods and 18 credits in other HDFS courses. A written final exam is also required.

Achieve your personal and professional goals through convenient, flexible, high-quality coursework you can complete anytime, anywhere. As an Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA) student at Iowa State University, you will learn from expert faculty who bring real-life experience to the coursework and are committed to helping you transition your learning beyond the online classroom into your career.

Degrees Offered:

Master of Family & Consumer Sciences (M.F.S.)
Online Master of Family & Consumer Sciences (M.F.S.)

Area(s) of Specialization: (may appear on ISU transcripts after graduation)

Dietetics (M.F.S.)
Family Financial Planning (M.F.S.)
Family and Consumer Sciences Education (M.F.S.)
Gerontology (M.F.S.)
Human Development and Family Studies (M.F.S.)
Youth Development (M.F.S.)

Program Degrees Offered

Master of Family & Consumer Sciences

Learning Goals

Family Financial Planning Goal #1: Construction of a professional, comprehensive financial plan
Family Financial Planning Goal #2: Implementation of ethical standards in financial planning as prescribed by the CFP Board of Standards.
Family Financial Planning Goal #3: Demonstration of listening and counseling skills needed to help families with financial management.
Youth Development Goal #1: Articulate the rationale and efficacy of the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach.
Youth Development Goal #2: Articulate developmental processes and the influences of context on youth.
Youth Development Goal #3: Apply research, theory, and evidence-informed practice for effective youth programming.
Youth Development Goal #4: Promote inclusivity in youth practice.
Youth Development Goal #5: Develop, manage, evaluate, and sustain PYD programs.

515-294-3916

Iowa State Online

idea@iastate.edu
Program Homepage

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Applications for our FCS programs are accepted year-round.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
Academic Records/Transcripts
Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

Transcript(s), resume, goal statement, and two letters of recommendation
Program Requires GRE: No
Program Requires GMAT: No
Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

Financial Statement: Application
English Proficiency Minimum:

TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550

TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79

IELTS 6.5

PTE 53

Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115