Master's Degree in Child & Family Studies
Housed within LSU’s School of Social Work, the Master of Science in Child & Family Studies degree program prepares highly competent, effective and ethical individuals to serve children and families within communities, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and social service agencies in national and international contexts.
The program empowers graduate students to explore child and family theory, empirical research and research methodology, policy and child and family development through the lens of diverse social contexts.
Externships and intensive academics prepare our graduates for a wide variety of human services, non-profit, public service and private industry positions.
The CFS master’s degree is central to LSU’s mission as a land, sea and space grant institution to promote stability and well-being of families in all forms, positive human growth and development, optimal management of resources and to build a well-prepared, educated workforce for current and future labor markets.
Careers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for community and social services professionals are “projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 371,900 jobs.”
Because there is an expanding need for educated and caring professionals and leaders in this field, our graduates are well-positioned for career success. So, it’s not surprising that our alumni hold a wide array of positions including as researchers, child development center directors, child life specialists, educators, nonprofit organization directors and entrepreneurs.
Admissions
Admission requirements
The following requirements must be completed prior to admission to the Child and Family Studies (CFS) graduate program:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
- A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 on all undergraduate work or in the final 60 credit hours;
- Evidence that the applicant possesses the personal qualities and aptitudes essential for the CFS profession;
- A genuine interest in people and emotional stability;
- Meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.
How to Apply:
Applicants with missing application materials by the LSU Graduate School deadline will not be considered. A completed application is the LSU Graduate School application, fee payment, CFS letter of intent, three letters of recommendations, resume, and receipt of official transcripts by the Graduate School’s deadline dates. Note: Meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Graduate School Application and Fee
- Letter of Intent (instructions located within the Graduate School application portal)
- Current resume or vita
- One official copy of all transcripts from all universities attended. Transcripts may be mailed in sealed envelopes to Graduate School, 114 David Boyd Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 or sent electronically from a university to gradtranscripts@lsu.edu. All transcripts are required, whether or not credit was earned or is desired. Official transcripts of work taken at LSU are not required. For international applicants whose native language is not English, scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- Three letters of recommendation
- A total of three (3) recommendation forms are required for your admission file to be complete by the appropriate deadline. A letter of support is optional. These forms are located in the Graduate School application portal. Recommendations must be an Academic (college instructors, internship supervisors) or Professional (Work/Volunteer) reference. Family friends, clergy, therapist and high school teachers are not appropriate.
- It is strongly recommended that if an internship/practicum was part of the degree program and the internship/practicum has been completed at the time of application, a recommendation from the internship/practicum supervisor be included as the professional recommendation.
MS in CFS Course Requirements
Non-Thesis Students
CFS 7090 Research Methods in CFS (3)
7000 Level Statistics (3)
CFS 7056 Theories of Child Development (3) or
CFS 7057 Theories in Family Science (3)
CFS 7051 Contemporary Family (3)
CFS 7052 Topics and Issues in CFS (3)
CFS 7053 Infant Behavior and Development (3)
CFS 7054 Child Guidance and Behavior (3)
CFS 7055 Human Development (3)
CFS 7050 Research Seminar in CFS (6 credits total)
6 hours electives in CFS or related area approved by graduate committee
6 hours of supervised practicum experience approved by graduate committee
Thesis Students
CFS 7090 Research Methods in CFS (3)
7000 Level Statistics (3)
CFS 7056 Theories of Child Development (3) or
CFS 7057 Theories in Family Science (3)
CFS 7051 Contemporary Family (3)
CFS 7052 Topics and Issues in CFS (3)
CFS 7053 Infant Behavior and Development (3)
CFS 7054 Child Guidance and Behavior (3)
CFS 7055 Human Development (3)
CFS 8000 Thesis Research (6 credits total)
12 hours electives in CFS or related area approved by graduate committee
No required practicum. Thesis students may select 3 hours practicum experience to substitute for 1 elective academic course if approved by graduate committee.