Graduate programs
The Core Area of Study Program
The core area of study program has three foci: Adolescent Development; Child Advocacy and Family Policy; and Child Development. Students may elect a thesis or comprehensive exam option.
Adolescent Development : This core area of study is designed to develop general competence in understanding and applying theory and research regarding adolescents within the context of their families and communities. Students are expected to participate in projects involving adolescents and their families and to complete a practicum in a program serving adolescents. Projects and practica may be facilited through the UNH Center on Adolescence.
Child Advocacy and Family Policy: This core area of study is designed to develop general competence in understanding theory and research regarding advocacy and policy issues impacting children and families. Those accepted into the program will be expected to work with selected state, national, and international agencies as child advocacy interns, develop expertise on at least one advocacy or policy issue, and conduct research on a related topic.
Child Development - This core area of study prepares students to work in a variety of social science positions, enter doctoral programs, and acquire early childhood leadership positions. Students gain understanding of children from infancy through the early school years. Students will complete an internship in an educational program serving young children. Students in the Child Development core area of study will have the opportunity to intern and or do research at the Child Study and Development Center.
Program requirements for all three core areas of study include:
- Completion of the 12-credit core curriculum that includes FS 991, Professional Issues for Family Specialists; FS 993, Theoretical Approaches to Family Studies; and FS 994, Research Seminar.
- Twenty-two hours of coursework including four semester hours of unpaid practicum or internship (FS 911), and a graduate-level statistics course.
- Successful completion of a research thesis (6-10 credits in FS 899) or a comprehensive written examination, plus eight credits or approved electives in place of FS 899.
Students in the Child Advocacy and Family Policy area of study must complete two internships: a minimum of eight hours of child advocacy internships, and initial four credit hours in a NH state agency and the remaining four credit hours in a national or international agency, or with approval another state agency.
Up to six of the twenty-two required credit hours of coursework may be Independent Study. Students should take a graduate-level statistics course. Students should take a graduate-level statistics course as early in their academic plan as possible. It is advisable to complete the statistics course prior to enrolling in FS 994, Research Seminar. The composition of the student's plan of study will be determined by the student in consultation with his or her advisor.