All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

Application Deadline

• Applications are accepted year-round. Applicants should plan to apply within two or three months from the start of the semester. The fall semester begins in late August, the spring semester begins in late January and the summer semester begins in late May.

Additional Documentation

To help us assess your readiness and fit for our graduate program, your application for admission must include the following:

• Personal Statement: Your personal statement helps the program faculty determine if your goals and objectives are a fit for our program. Please provide a 1–2-page, single-spaced document that addresses:
  1. Your academic background and professional interests.
  2. Your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree, including your personal and/or career goals and how this degree will help you achieve those goals. In completing this section, you may find it useful to refer to the program goals and coursework as detailed on the K-State and IDEA Family and Community Services program websites.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• References
  1. Please provide the names and contact information of three professional and/or academic references who can write letters supporting your interests in pursuing graduate studies in our program and academic abilities. Your references will be contacted directly via email to complete the process online.
  2. Helpful hints for selecting references:
     1. It is important that you select individuals who can speak to your motivation and skills relevant to graduate work (writing ability, critical thinking, motivation, time management, etc.).
     2. Letters typically come from people you have worked with in academic or professional settings.
• Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. Please note the following Graduate School policies:
  1. Failure to list any colleges or universities from which the applicant received a degree or enrolled in graduate coursework may result in dismissal from the university.
  2. If transcripts are not in English, the applicant must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority.
  3. Applicants will be asked for official transcripts after notification of admission.
• Interview: After the initial review of your materials is completed, you may be asked to interview with the graduate program coordinator to discuss your academic background, interests, goals and why this program would be a good fit for you.

A master’s degree in family and community services can benefit a diverse range of professions and help you advance into leadership positions like executive director, supervisor, program manager or program developer. Graduates of this program work across public, private and nonprofit industries in areas such as:

• county extension service programs
• military community services
• family advocacy programs
• child development centers
• consumer credit counseling
• community service programs
• emergency shelters
• crisis centers
• social service agencies

Required (30 credits)

• CNRES 750 - Crises Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
• HDFS 714 - Program Design, Evaluation and Implementation (3 credits)
• HDFS 719 - Program Administration and Management (3 credits)
• HDFS 784 - Foundations and Principles of Family and Community Services (3 credits)
• HDFS 785 - Family Dynamics (3 credits)
• HDFS 786 - Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• HDFS 787 - Resilience in Families (3 credits)
• HDFS 791 - Parenting Education (3 credits)
• HDFS 825 - Family Resource Management (3 credits)
• HDFS 862 - Interpersonal Relationships (3 credits)

Electives (3 credits)

• CNRES 759 - Foundations of Trauma and Traumatic Stress (3 credits)
• HDFS 700 - Problems in Human Development and Family Science (3 credits)
• HDFS 708 - Topics in Human Development and Family Science (3 credits)
• HDFS 724 - Working with Military Families (3 credits)
• HDFS 871 - Program Development and Administration (3 credits)
• HDFS 899 - MS Research in Human Development and Family Science (1-8 credits)
• PFP 765 - Military Personal Finance (3 credits)

Capstone (3 credits)

• HDFS 881 - Capstone in Human Development and Family Sciences (1-6 credits) OR
  PFP 675 - Field Study in Family Economics (1-3 credits)

This program is offered through the Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA), which offers you a unique chance to take classes from multiple, high-quality universities. Expand your professional network by collaborating with classmates and expert faculty from across the country who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the coursework.

You will choose K-State to be your home university. Once admitted to K-State, you will work with the IDEA campus coordinator who will help you get started and get enrolled in classes. Your campus coordinator assists you through IDEA processes and is your link to distance education resources at your university.

Benefits of Studying through IDEA

With IDEA, there is one affordable common price per credit hour, and there are no out-of-state fees or distance delivery fees. This common price alleviates confusion around tuition since you’ll be taking courses from partner universities as well as K-State. Being able to take classes from more than one university provides you with greater access to high-quality online programming and ensures you are able to balance your education with your work and home responsibilities.

Learn more about how IDEA works.