Child, Youth and Family Studies — Family and Community Services

This degree focuses on the development and implementation of public, private, and voluntary support services for individuals, families, and localities.

This program prepares you to demonstrate:

• Research-based perspectives 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 the impact of diversity in delivery of family and community services in a global society context

Career Opportunities

Our degree program prepares you to function in a variety of occupations promoting family life and family/community development. You'll gain essential skills and knowledge to work in a variety of settings on or off military installations:

• County Extension Services
• Army Community Services
• Pre/Post Deployment Assistance
• Family Advocacy Programs
• Child Development Centers
• Consumer Credit Counseling Services
• Emergency Shelters
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Crisis Centers
• United Way and Similar Organizations

Program & Courses

This master’s degree program requires 30 credit hours plus 6 credit hours of electives, supervised project, and/or internship as determined by your home institution, for a total of 36 credit hours.

Online courses are taught by the best faculty in the discipline from several universities including:

• Kansas State University
• Michigan State University
• University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• University of Missouri
• Oklahoma State University
• South Dakota State University

Courses are offered over a 3 year period, with participating institutions sharing the teaching responsibilities for each course.

The actual course titles may vary from institution to institution. The degree awarding institution is responsible for placement of students for practicum and internship experiences.

Required Courses (30 credit hours)

• CYAF 827 Lifespan Development 3 credit hours
• CYAF 829 Program Leadership and Management 3 credit hours
• CYAF 838 Parenting Education 3 credit hours
• CYAF 839 Program Design, Evaluation, and Implementation 3 credit hours
• CYAF 849 Resilience in Families 3 credit hours
• CYAF 853 Crises Across the Lifespan 3 credit hours
• CYAF 854 Family Dynamics 3 credit hours
• CYAF 856 Foundations and Principles of Family and Community Services 3 credit hours
• CYAF 857 Family Resource Management 3 credit hours
• CYAF 859 Interpersonal Relationships 3 credit hours

Application for Graduate Admission$50 non-refundable application processing feeOne set of transcripts, uploaded to MyRED (seeupload requirements)If your native language is not English: verification of English proficiencyIf you are not a US citizen and you expect to hold an F or J visa: financial resource information English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79 Technological Requirements PC Processor: Core 2 Duo or Equivalent or better Operating System: Windows XP (Home/Professional) or higher Web Conferencing: Web Camera/ Sound Card & Speakers/ Microphone or Headset with Microphone Internet Connection: High-speed DSL or Cable Modem Browser: Windows IE 7.0 or higher/ Firefox 3.0 or higher Anti-Virus: Current & Updated Anti-virus Software : Microsoft Office 2007 or higher Plug-Ins (download) : Java/ Windows Media Player/Acrobat Reader/Flash/Shockwave/Powerpoint Viewer MAC Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or better Operating System: OS 10 X Snow Leopard Web Conferencing: Web Camera/ Sound Card & Speakers/ Microphone or Headset with Microphone Internet Connection: High-speed DSL or Cable Modem Browser: Windows IE 7.0 or higher/ Firefox 3.0 or higher/ Safari 3.0 or higher Anti-Virus: Current & Updated Anti-virus Software : Microsoft Office 2007 or higher Plug-Ins (download) : Quicktime

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid provides information on loans and need-based funds.

Accreditation

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of six regional accrediting agencies. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been continuously accredited since 1913. The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for coordinating University efforts to prepare for the accrediting agency’s periodic site visits and reviews. The university last underwent a comprehensive self-study and site visit during the 2006-07 academic year. The next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2016-17.

UNL’s Statement of Affiliation Status (confirmation of accreditation) can be accessed on the Higher Learning Commission’s website.