Human Development and Family Science
In addition to the Graduate School’s required application requirements, submit the statement of purpose indicating reasons for pursuing graduate study, specifying your special interests within your chosen discipline and including your background preparation in that area. Mention any relevant skills or experience you have acquired. In addition, be sure to address the following, in 500 words or less:
- How your interest in this field developed.
- Why you chose our program at NDSU.
- The experiences you have had (e.g. informal, academic, employment, volunteer) that you see as related to this graduate program or your professional goals.
- What your professional goals are and how this graduate program will help you accomplish your professional goals.
Family Financial Planning
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 677 | Financial Counseling | 3 |
| HDFS 740 | Theories & Research in Family Financial Planning I | 3 |
| HDFS 762 | Retirement Planning, Employee Benefits and the Family | 3 |
| HDFS 763 | Personal Income Taxation | 3 |
| HDFS 765 | Insurance Planning for Families | 3 |
| HDFS 766 | Estate Planning for Families | 3 |
| HDFS 769 | Financial Planning Case Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 770 | Fundamentals of Financial Planning | 3 |
| HDFS 771 | Investing for the Family's Future | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Theories & Research in Family Financial Planning II | ||
| Professional Practices in Family Financial Planning | ||
| Housing/Real Estate | ||
| Military Personal Financial Readiness | ||
| Practicum/Internship | ||
| Master's Paper | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
Other elective approved by advisor | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Gerontology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 723 | Foundations in Integrative Aging Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 721 | Contemporary Perspectives on Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| 3 credits from Block 2: | 3 | |
| Physical Health, Wellness, Nutrition and Active Aging | ||
| Socioemotional and Cognitive Well-being throughout Adulthood | ||
| Graduate Seminar (Focused on the Aging Individual) | ||
| 3 credits from Block 3: | 3 | |
| Family Relationships and Aging | ||
| Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Environments for Aging | ||
| Graduate Seminar (Focused on Aging in Context) | ||
| 3 credits from Block 4: | 3 | |
| Aging Policy and Advocacy | ||
| Implementation of Community Programs for Older Adults | ||
| Applied Research Methods and Evaluation of Aging Programs | ||
| Graduate Seminar (Focused on Translational Practice) | ||
| HDFS 794 | Practicum/Internship | 3 |
| 12 credits of electives selected from any of the above courses | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Youth Development
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 710 | Foundations of Youth Development | 3 |
| HDFS 711 | Youth Development | 3 |
| HDFS 712 | Positive Youth Development in Community Settings | 3 |
| HDFS 713 | Adolescents and Their Families | 3 |
| HDFS 716 | Youth Professionals as Consumers of Research | 3 |
| HDFS 717 | Design and Evaluation of Youth Programs | 3 |
| HDFS 718 | Youth Development Personnel and Program Management | 3 |
| HDFS 719 | Youth Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 730 | Youth-Adult Relationships | 3 |
| HDFS 794 | Practicum/Internship | 3 |
| Electives (select 2 courses) | 6 | |
| Contemporary Youth Issues (*) | ||
| Youth Culture | ||
| Graduate Seminar (*) | ||
HDFS 794 Practicum/Internship (Additional hours) | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
*Upon approval of topic by adviser. Can be taken more than once with different topics.
Family Financial Planning
Select one of the options: Financial Planning or Financial Counseling
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Planning Option | ||
| HDFS 762 | Retirement Planning, Employee Benefits and the Family | 3 |
| HDFS 763 | Personal Income Taxation | 3 |
| HDFS 765 | Insurance Planning for Families | 3 |
| HDFS 766 | Estate Planning for Families | 3 |
| HDFS 769 | Financial Planning Case Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 771 | Investing for the Family's Future | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Counseling Option | ||
| HDFS 677 | Financial Counseling | 3 |
| HDFS 740 | Theories & Research in Family Financial Planning I | 3 |
| HDFS 768 | Housing/Real Estate | 3 |
| HDFS 770 | Fundamentals of Financial Planning | 3 |
| Select 6 credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Theories & Research in Family Financial Planning II | ||
| Retirement Planning, Employee Benefits and the Family | ||
| Personal Income Taxation | ||
| Insurance Planning for Families | ||
| Estate Planning for Families | ||
| Investing for the Family's Future | ||
| Military Personal Financial Readiness | ||
| Practicum/Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Gerontology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 721 | Contemporary Perspectives on Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 723 | Foundations in Integrative Aging Studies | 3 |
| Elective Courses- Select 2 | 6 | |
| Physical Health, Wellness, Nutrition and Active Aging | ||
| Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Environments for Aging | ||
| Applied Research Methods and Evaluation of Aging Programs | ||
| Socioemotional and Cognitive Well-being throughout Adulthood | ||
| Family Relationships and Aging | ||
| Aging Policy and Advocacy | ||
| Implementation of Community Programs for Older Adults | ||
| Graduate Seminar (*) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Youth Development
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 710 | Foundations of Youth Development | 3 |
| HDFS 711 | Youth Development | 3 |
| Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Positive Youth Development in Community Settings | ||
| Adolescents and Their Families | ||
| Contemporary Youth Issues 1 | ||
| Youth Culture | ||
| Youth Policy | ||
| Youth-Adult Relationships | ||
| Graduate Seminar 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
With approval of topic by advisor.
Youth Program Management and Evaluation
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 710 | Foundations of Youth Development | 3 |
| HDFS 717 | Design and Evaluation of Youth Programs | 3 |
| HDFS 718 | Youth Development Personnel and Program Management | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Positive Youth Development in Community Settings | ||
| Contemporary Youth Issues 1 | ||
| Youth Policy | ||
| Graduate Seminar 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
With approval of topic by advisor.
James Deal, Ph.D.
University of Georgia, 1987
Research Interests: Identity Development in Emerging Adults, Particularly in the Areas of Religion and the Transition to College; First Generation and/or Low Income Students and Issues Related to Financial Support
Margaret Fitzgerald, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1997
Research Interests: Family Owned Businesses--copreneurial couples, women and minority-owned businesses, the interface between the business, family and community, and managerial adjustment strategies.
Heather Fuller, Ph.D.
University of Michigan, 2009
Research Interests: Social Relationships and Well-Being Across the Lifespan (e.g. Intergenerational Relationships); Successful Aging and Health Promotion; Aging in Rural and Cross-Cultural Contexts; Aging Families and Caregiving; Survey Research and Program Evaluation
Joel Hektner, Ph.D.
University of Chicago, 1996
Research Interests: Design and Effectiveness of Programs to Prevent Adjustment Problems and Promote Well-Being in Children and Adolescents; Peer Affiliation Patterns and Peer Influences on Children's Behaviors; Family and School Conditions that Facilitate Optimal Experiences (Flow) and Optimal Development; the Experience Sampling Method
Leanna McWood, Ph.D.
Auburn University, 2020
Research Interests: Extracurricular Involvement; Social Relationships; Contextual Influences; Sleep; Adolescent Development
Natira Mullet, Ph.D.
Texas Tech University, 2020
Research Interests: Intergenerational, cultural and familial protective factors to reduce interpersonal trauma and resulting substance use and mental health outcomes among marginalized communities.
Melissa O'Connor, Ph.D.
University of South Florida, 2010
Research Interests: Examining Age-Related Differences and Changes in Cognitive and Functional Abilities, Such as Driving, Among Healthy Adults and Clinical Populations; Quantitative Methods and Psychometrics; Interventions for Improving Cognition, Health, and Everyday Functioning; and Attitudes Toward Dementia
Rachelle Vettern, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2006
Research Interests: Leadership and Volunteer Development