Full Description

The International Family Science minor provides students the opportunity to learn about the field of family science as it currently exists in the United States. The knowledge gained from the foundational courses in the minor is then explored in an international setting in Florence, Italy.

In Italy, students have the opportunity to critically assess the differences in how family science is viewed and implemented internationally compared to the United States. During their time in Florence, students will gain deeper cultural competence through experiential learning activities designed to foster critical thinking, mastery of content and self-reflection.

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.500 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Describe the field of family science compared to other social sciences. 
2. Discuss the influences on the modern family from historical and cultural contexts.
3. Identify and analyze family policies in the United States and international settings.
4. Design research-informed educational programming for families that is preventative in nature for domestic and international settings.
5. Compare and contrast social service organizations from domestic and international settings.
6. Articulate cultural and socioeconomic differences and the significance of these differences in human development.

Program Requirements

¹

Courses are offered in Florence, Italy, only. Students may substitute other courses offered in Florence, with approval

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
• Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus*
  • Stark Campus*

_{* International travel to Florence, Italy, required.}

Full Description

The Nonprofit Studies minor prepares students for careers in a variety of nonprofit organizations at the local, state, national and international level. The curriculum provides students with knowledge and competencies in areas such as grant writing and fundraising, mission and vision, advocacy and lobbying, risk management, board development, program planning, leadership and ethics, human resource development, youth and adult development, marketing, financial management and non-profit management. Students gain real world experience with local nonprofit agencies through a practicum experience.

The Nonprofit Studies minor may be beneficial for students pursuing any major.

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Describe the principles and practices of nonprofit management.
2. Construct a grant proposal appropriate for submission to a grant funder in the nonprofit sector.
3. Apply community outreach skills through successful completion of a community inventory as well as practicum and field experiences.

Program Requirements

¹

An internship/practicum is required at a non-profit organization; students must make prior arrangements with the program director. Before taking the internship/practicum course, students must have taken (or will take concurrently) HDF 44033 and HDF 44034.

Graduation Requirements

•  After declaring the Nonprofit studies minor, students are required to meet with the program director to discuss course selection and procedures for completing the minor.

• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
• Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Geauga Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Stark Campus

Full Description

The Gerontology minor provides students with knowledge of the aging process and prepares students for professional positions in the diverse field of aging. Current predictions indicate that a "baby boomer" will turn 60 every seven seconds for the next 18 years. By 2050, it is estimated that one in five people will be over the age of 65, leading to an increase in demand for individuals with an understanding of the aging process.

The minor benefits students with a major or an interest in psychology, sociology, business, English, nursing, education, interior design, political science, speech pathology, audiology and recreation, parks and tourism management.

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students are required to meet with the human development and family science program coordinator to discuss course selection and procedures for completing the minor.
• Some courses require prerequisites, please see course descriptions for details.

• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
• Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify physical, cognitive, emotional and social dimensions of human development and family relationships.
2. Identify the reciprocal influences of family, school, work and community contexts on human development
3. Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families.

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Requirements

¹

Course has prerequisites outside of the program requirements, please contact the Department of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences for special approval. 

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
• Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
• Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Geauga Campus
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus
  • Stark Campus

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science offers an interdisciplinary approach to individual and family development. Students receive the knowledge and skills needed to help individuals and families across the lifespan to flourish in a global society. The degree prepares students for a wide range of careers in diverse settings, including family and community-based social services, prevention, nonprofit administration and family and community intervention. Core coursework focuses on development across the lifespan and understanding family relationships, the environments in which individuals live and learn and the unique strengths and needs of diverse individuals and families.

The Human Development and Family Science major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Case Management for Individuals and Families concentration provides training in needs assessment and the utilization of available public and private resources. Case managers provide assistance to individuals and families by coordinating services and access to resources. Students in this concentration learn the skills necessary to understand clients' needs and goals, and develop a plan to achieve these goals with the resources and services available to them. Graduates are eligible for securing positions in a wide array of social service agencies.
• The Child and Youth Development concentration prepares students for working with children and adolescents in non-school settings such as residential treatment, group care, community youth services, foster care and after-school programs. Graduates are able to design and deliver developmentally appropriate programs, preparing children and youth for productive adulthood by emphasizing skills and competency development.
• The Family Life Education concentration prepares graduates to develop and implement educational programming for parents, couples and families in a variety of education and human service settings. Family life educators teach individuals and families effective communication skills, positive self-esteem, parenting skills and healthy interpersonal skills. Graduates are eligible to apply to be certified family life educators (CFLE), a credential granted by the National Council on Family Relations. 
• The Gerontology concentration prepares graduates for professional positions in the diverse field of aging, including health and wellness, community-based social services, retirement communities, adult-care centers and nursing homes. The curriculum provides students with a solid understanding of typical age-related changes and how these changes affect a person physiologically, psychologically and socially. According to the U.S. Census, 20 percent of the total population will be 65 or older by 2030. Because of the increasing number of older persons and the fact that people are generally living longer, there is a growing need for people to work in the field of aging.
• The Human Services concentration is a completer program for students who hold an associate degree in human services. This concentration prepares graduates for entry-level positions in a variety of human service agencies, including child and family welfare agencies, mental health centers, developmental disability facilities and substance abuse treatment centers.

Students may apply early to the following master's degree programs and double count graduate courses toward both degrees. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

• Combined degree with M.A. degree in Human Development and Family Science — double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses
• Combined degree with M.Ed. degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling — double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify (a) physical, cognitive, emotional and social dimensions of human development and family relationships; and (b) reciprocal influences of family, school, work and community contexts on human development.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of program development, delivery and evaluation and identify practical implications of human development and family relationship concepts.
3. Access scholarly sources and critically evaluate empirical research; demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods and principles of research; and effectively communicate ideas.
4. Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families and apply knowledge through involvement with and study of diverse populations.

Program Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Professional Phase coursework

Case Management for Individuals and Families Concentration Requirements

¹

Professional Phase coursework

Child and Youth Development Concentration Requirements

¹

Professional Phase coursework

Family Life Education Concentration Requirements

¹

Professional Phase coursework

Gerontology Concentration Requirements

¹

Students who have successfully completed any prerequisite course requirements for BSCI 40020 may use that coursework in place of ATTR 25057 (or EXSC 25057) or ATTR 25058 (or EXSC 25058); however, additional coursework may be required to fulfill Kent Core requirements.

²

Maximum of 6 credit hours of GERO 44092 may be applied towards the HDFS program requirements.

³

Professional Phase coursework

⁴

Students who have successfully completed BSCI 11010 may use that course in place of ATTR 25057 or EXSC 25057.

⁵

Students who have successfully completed BSCI 11020 may use that course in place of  ATTR 25058 or EXSC 25058.

Human Services Concentration Requirements

¹

Professional Phase coursework

Progression Requirements

To be able to register for Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) upper-division (30000 or 40000 level) courses, students must be admitted to the professional phase of the program. Admittance is a selective process. Criteria for acceptance are the following:

• Minimum 2.500 overall GPA earned in the following courses: ENG 11011, ENG 21011, HDF 14027, HDF 24011, HDF 24012, PSYC 11762, SOC 12050
• Minimum 3.000 overall GPA earned in the following courses: HDF 14027, HDF 24011, HDF 24012
• For students in the Human Services concentration, completion of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Service is required prior to being admitted to the professional phase

Graduation Requirements

• State/federal background checks may be required for some practicum/internship sites. Results indicating one of the disqualifying offenses, whether expunged or current, may result in the inability to be placed in select practicum/internship sites.

Roadmap

Case Management For Individuals and Family Study Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Child and Youth Development Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Family Life Education Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Gerontology Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus
  • Salem Campus (Human Services, Family Life Education and Case Management for Individuals and Families concentrations only)
  • Stark Campus (Family Life Education and Gerontology concentrations only)

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Science provides students with advanced knowledge in the fields of family sciences and human development and the opportunity to develop multidisciplinary research and community outreach skills.

Coursework enables students to apply to become Certified Family Life Educators. Courses focus on current research and practice in human development and family science with an emphasis on family theories and processes; family life education; the reciprocal influences of family, school, work and community contexts; development across the lifespan; and the strengths and needs of diverse populations.

The program emphasizes both basic and applied research. Student participation in interdisciplinary research and community outreach projects is encouraged. Graduates are prepared for leadership and teaching positions in the social services, junior and community colleges and cooperative extension and/or for pursuing doctoral-level study.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English test score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify physical, intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions of human life within their respective disciplines; recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families; and apply knowledge of human development and family relationships through involvement with and study of diverse populations. 
2. Communicate their ideas in oral presentations and written papers; demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods, and principles of research pertaining to human development and family relationships; and access scholarly sources of information and critically evaluate the quality of empirical research pertaining to human development and family relationships.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in developmental and family research methods and relevant statistical analyses; and an understanding of program development, delivery and evaluation pertaining to human development and family relationships.
4. Independently complete a master's thesis or master's project that reflects an understanding of the interrelationship between theory, research, and practice.

Program Requirements

¹

The master's project is intended for students who do not plan to continue graduate work beyond the master's degree, and provides the opportunity to approach research and theory in a more applied manner. The presentation and interpretation of original research is not required. However, approval of the intended project by the student's master's project committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the master's project committee.

²

The thesis is intended for research-oriented students and is designed to provide the opportunity to conduct original research. Approval of a thesis proposal by the student's thesis committee is required, as is the successful completion of an oral final examination conducted by the thesis committee.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus