Graduate Degree Program Summary
Graduate programs offered
Earn a Graduate Degree
- MS in Child, Youth and Family Studies (36-51 cr, Option I or III) with optional specialization:
- Child Development/Early Childhood Education
- Ethnic Studies
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Family and Community Services
- Family Financial Planning
- Human and Family Services Administration
- International Family Studies
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Youth Development
- PhD in Human Sciences (90 cr) with a specialization:
- Child, Youth and Family Studies
- Global Family Health and Wellbeing
Note: Applicants to this PhD program choose a specialization as listed above; optionally a secondary specialization in Ethnic Studies may be added later when establishing a plan of study.
Earn a Graduate Certificate
Certificates have their own deadlines and checklists; select one for details.
- Grad Cert in Family Financial Planning (18 cr)
- Grad Cert in Financial and Housing Counseling (18 cr)
- Grad Cert in Medical/Family Therapy (12-45 cr)
- Grad Cert in Youth Development (13 cr)
Online and Distance Opportunities
Offered online:- Family Financial Planning
- Family and Community Services
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- Human and Family Services Administration
- International Family Studies
- Youth Development
Other programs:
Some online coursework may be available for your program; contact dept. for details.
Contacts for Child, Youth and Family Studies
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Other Ways to Connect
On the Web
Child, Youth and Family Studies
Department Chair
Dr. Richard Bischoff
Graduate Chair
Dr. Natalie Williams
Graduate Secretary
Ms. Lisa King
Campus Address
135 Mabel Lee Hall
Lincoln NE 68588-0236
Application checklist and deadlines
1. Required by Graduate Studies
Submit these items as part of the standard steps to admission.
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee
- One set of transcripts uploaded to MyRED
- If English is not your native language: verification of English proficiency
- If you are not a US citizen and you expect an F or J visa: financial information
2. Required by Child, Youth and Family Studies
After you apply, allow one business day for us to set up your access so you can complete these requirements via MyRED.
- Entrance exam(s):
- PhD: GRE required.
- MS with specialization in Child Development/Early Childhood Education; Human and Family Services Administration; or Marriage and Family Therapy: GRE required.
- MS with specialization in Family & Consumer Sciences Education: PPST required.
- MS with specialization in Family Financial Planning; Family and Community Services; International Family Studies; or Youth Development: None. - Minimum English proficiency: Paper TOEFL 550, Internet TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5
- Three recommendation letters
- Sample of writing or research (Ph.D. only)
- Professional goals statement
- Resume or vitae
When sending GRE or TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.
Additionally, the College of Education and Human Sciences requires all students admitted into a campus program to complete a background check before the start of their first semester.Application Deadlines for Child, Youth and Family Studies
- Ph.D. All Specializations: December 1 for Fall.
- M.S. with specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy: December 1 for Fall.
- M.S. with specialization in Child Development/Early Childhood Education: April 15 for Fall. October 15 for Spring. January 15 for Summer.
- Other M.S.: Some master's specializations have rolling admissions; contact department for information.
- Priority Deadline for Funding: Contact the department for more information.
Application/admission is for entry in a specific term and year. Our academic year is divided into 3 terms: Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May), and Summer (multiple sessions May-August). Some programs accept new students only in certain terms and/or years.
Description
The Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The Department is a founding participant of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) and offers several graduate programs online through the consortium of universities that make up the Great Plains IDEA.
Students have access to the Family Resource Center (FRC) and the Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory (CDL). Through the FRC, students in the Marriage and Family Therapy program offer psychotherapy to couples, families and individuals on site and remotely through telemental health to rural communities throughout Nebraska. The FRC is also a research laboratory, giving students valuable research experience with couples, families, individuals, and intervention. Through the CDL, students in child development and early childhood education engage in experiential learning and gain teaching experience working with children and families. The CDL is also a research laboratory, giving students valuable research experience with children and their families and curriculum. The CDL's programs are among the 9% in the nation accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and have been in operation since 1925.
Courses and More
- Students work with an advisor to create a plan of study and follow the Steps to Degree Completion. See all courses or jump to related subjects:
- Child, Youth and Family Studies (CYAF)
- Gerontology (GERO)
- Human Sciences (HUMS)
- Education (EDUC)
- Education and Human Sciences (CEHS)
- Educational Administration (EDAD)
- Educational Psychology (EDPS)
- Special Education (SPED)
- Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SLPA)
- Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education (TEAC)
- Cost of attendance differs from one student to another. Try our Cost Estimator or see Tuition, Fees, and Funding for details.
Faculty and research
Where available, names link to bios or homepages and contact card icons () link to directory listings with address, phone, and email.
Children and Poverty; Family Process; Parenting; Father-Involvement; Health Literacy; Child Development
Children's Long-Term Healthful Eating Behaviors and Prevention of Childhood Obesity; Developing low Cost and Easily Implemented Strategies Using Behavioral Economics Principles to Encourage Healthier Meal Choices in Preschoolers
Childrens Learning; Brain Behavior Indicators of Cognitive Development; Emergent Literacy
The Complex Interrelations between Family Factors and Processes and the Emotional Health of Youth
Early childhood teachers' experiences; Meaningful changes in practice and improved outcomes for children.
Refugee Psychosocial Wellbeing, Forced Migration, Psychosocial Resilience, Qualitative Methods, Mixed Methods, Sub-Saharan Africa
Promoting Physical and Psychosocial Wellbeing in Vulnerable Child Populations and Their Families
This summary page is maintained by Graduate Studies.
For additional details check out the dept./program website: Child, Youth and Family Studies.
Departments: Have an update for this summary? Contact Kurt Mueller.