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Michigan State University
Michigan State University

College of Social Sciences

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Online Programs

Department of Human Development and Family Studies > Academics > Graduate >

Online Programs

Overview

We offer fully online master's degrees and certificates through Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA). 

Who: These programs are ideal for working professionals in a variety of fields and organizations, such as preschool teaching, Head Start, 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, military installations, community recreation facilities, correctional professions, middle and high school education and extension educators. 

What: These programs address the need for advanced education in early childhood education, youth development and working with families using an ecological approach with a strengths-based curriculum. These programs train students to administer programs which support children, youth and their families across the lifespan.

Where: All classes are delivered online and there are no on-campus meetings. Professors communicate with students via e-mail, phone calls, Skype, Zoom and other technologies using an asynchronous format. Courses use online lectures, discussion boards, wikis, audio, video and more. Persons with disabilities are not disadvantaged and are encouraged to participate and seek accommodations through the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

When: Youth Development and Family Community Services applications are accepted three times each year. Please visit our application page for more information on application dates.

Why: HDFS provides cutting-edge graduate education in an inclusive, supportive, and interdisciplinary environment. The expertise of our award-winning faculty spans the areas of child development, couple and family therapy, and diversity, youth, and family development. Faculty and students generate new knowledge that plays a meaningful role in the lives of children, adolescents, families, and marginalized communities. Graduates are prepared for academic and professional positions and are in high demand following graduation.

Fees: There is a common tuition rate for these programs, so there are no in-state/out-of-state fees. Please review the fee schedule. The tuition rate does not include books and supplies.

Degrees and Certificates

 

A teacher plays with a kid.

The Master of Arts in Youth Development, is a collaborative, multiinstitutional program offered totally online. This degree is designed to promote an understanding of communities and families and to prepare students to have an impact on the development of youth in their homes, neighborhoods, and society. American youth born since the early 1980s are projected to be the largest, most ethnically diverse generation of adolescents in the history of the United States, and this program is designed to address that demographic shift.

The curriculum is focused on the promotion of positive development of all young people. It is designed for individuals who wish to work in a variety of youth-related professions, including youth-serving organizations and programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs, community recreation specialties, youth programs sponsored by faith-based institutions, correctional professions, or within U.S. Extension Programs.

The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web by faculty from multiple land-grant universities: Michigan State University, University of Missouri, North Dakota State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Nebraska.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Youth Development

The program is available only online and only under Plan B (without thesis). Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. Each course is offered at least once every other year. The student must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 27 credits is course work required by The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:

  1. All of the following core courses (27 credits):

        Adolescents and Their Families 3

          Consumers of Research 3

         Foundations of Youth Development 3

         Personnel and Program Management 3

         Positive Youth Development in Community Settings 3

          Program Design and Evaluation 3

          Youth Development 3

          Youth-Adult Partnerships 3

          Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development 3

  2. Complete 9 credits of electives from the following:

        Adolescent Health and Sexuality 3

          Grant and Administration 3

          Youth, Sports, and Society 3

          Youth, Families, and Technology 3

          Youth and Complex Social Systems 3

          Youth Culture 3

          Youth Mental Health 3

    This enrollment will vary at each institution and may require a master’s thesis, project, or practicum. At Michigan State University, students will fulfill this requirement by enrolling in course work approved by the student’s academic advisor.        

  3. Pass a final examination or evaluation.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the registrar's website.

Counselor speaks with student.

The Master of Arts in Family Community Services, is a collaborative, multi-institutional program offered totally online. This degree is designed to provide a research-based perspective to understand individual, family, interpersonal and community dynamics across the lifespan. Students will acquire knowledge and skills related to the design, implementation, sustainability, and leadership and management of family and community services programs.

The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web by faculty from multiple land-grant universities: Michigan State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Oklahoma State University, and South Dakota State University.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Family Community Services

The program is available only online and only under Plan B (without thesis). Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. The student must complete a total of 36 credits, of which 30 credits is course work required by The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:

  1. Core courses (30 credit hours):
    Administration and Management of Human Services Programs
    Crises Across the Lifespan
    Family Dynamics
    Family Resource Management
    Foundations and Principles of Family and Community Services
    Interpersonal Relationships
    Lifespan Development
    Parenting Education
    Program Design, Evaluation and Implementation
    Resilience in Families
  2. Additional course work (6 credit hours).
    This enrollment will vary at each institution.  At Michigan State University, students will fulfill this requirement by enrolling in course work approved by the student’s academic advisor.
  3. Pass a final oral examination or evaluation. This will include a formal presentation by the student on a topic determined by the student and the academic advisor.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the registrar's website.

A teacher works on an activity with two chilren.

Overview

The Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate is designed to assist youth professionals to train individuals in the second decade of life with the skills necessary for a successful transition into adulthood. The program addresses the need for advanced education in youth issues and does so through a strengths-based curriculum.

The online format and course schedule of the certificate program allows flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the World Wide Web at www.gpidea.org.

Requirements for the Youth Development Specialist Graduate Certificate

The program is available totally online. The student must complete 12 credits of course work in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA).

  1. Two of the following Core Courses (6 credits)

        Foundations of Youth Development 3

                    Youth Development 3

  2. Complete 6 credits of electives from the following courses:

                Adolescents and Their Families 3

                Adolescent Health and Sexuality 3

                Consumers of Research 3

                Positive Youth Development in Community Settings 3

                Youth, Sports, and Society 3

                Youth, Families, and Technology 3

                Youth-Adult Partnerships 3

                Youth and Complex Social Systems 3

                Youth Culture 3

                Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development 3

For the most up-to-date information, visit the registrar's website.

A woman points to a board that reads mentorship.

Overview

The Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate is designed to assist youth professionals to develop and apply resources for successful implementation and management of youth-serving organizations. The program addresses the need for advanced education based on research and policy for optimal youth outcomes through a strengths-based curriculum.

The online format and course schedule of the certificate program allow flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals. The College of Social Science, in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA), offers this program with all course work delivered via the World Wide Web at www.gpidea.org.

Requirements for the Youth Agency Management and Administration Graduate Certificate

The program is available totally online. The student must complete 12 credits of course work in collaboration with The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA).

  1. All of the following core courses (9 credits):

    Foundations of Youth Development 3

    Personnel and Program Management 3

    Program Design and Evaluation 3

  2. Complete 3 credits of electives from the following courses:

Grant and Administration 3

Positive Youth Development in Community Settings 3

Youth and Complex Social Systems 3

Youth Mental Health 3

Youth Policy and Positive Youth Development 3

For the most up-to-date information, visit the registrar's website.

Graduate students and faculty talking at a conference table.

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Human Services Administration, which is administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, is an online program that provides students with the skills and competencies needed to develop, implement, evaluation, and administer programs designed to enhance family and relationship health and well-being within non-profit or public settings. It is intended to meet the needs of individuals who seek introductory graduate training as well as those who have already earned a graduate degree but would benefit from academic study of human services administration in their current profession. The online format allows flexibility to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Human Services Administration

The program is available only online. Each student’s course of study must be developed and approved in consultation with the academic advisor. Course work required is through The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) consortium, distributed as follows:

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits from the following:

  1. All of the following courses (9 credits):               

    Grant Development and Management 3

    Program Administration and Management 3

    Program Design, Evaluation, and Implementation 3

  2. One of the following courses (3 credits):                                           

Resilience in Families 3

Family Crisis Intervention 3

Family Dynamics and Intervention 3

For the most up-to-date information, visit the registrar's website.

Overview

In collaboration with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Department of Defense the programs provide education for careers on and around military bases that fit the professional development of active duty military, spouses, dependents, retirees, veterans and civilian professionals. The Great Plains IDEA alliance has worked closely with the Department of Defense to create degree programs to increase professional development and workforce development opportunities, expand and strengthen programs in early childhood education, family readiness and youth development for military affiliated persons.

The Military Academic Achievement Program (MAAP) 

The Military Academic Achievement Program (MAAP) is a collaboration funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Department of Defense. MAPP is a premier post-secondary distance education collaboration offering inter-institutional degree programs in the Human Sciences. MAAP provides education for careers on and around military bases that fit the professional development of military spouses, dependents, retired military and civilian professionals serving the military.

MAAP will increase the educational opportunities for military personnel and their family members. Students enrolled in a Military Academic Achievement Program through Great Plains IDEA will:

  • Complete a degree in a fully online program – access to collegiate classes is easier than ever before.
  • Earn a degree or certificate from a nationally accredited and respected institution.
  • Acquire the education and skills to better serve military personnel, their family members, and military installations.
  • Prepare for a career serving military families on installations around the world.

Students will benefit from programs tailored to meet their educational needs and fit their life circumstances:

  • Member universities have faculty and administrators experienced in working with military families including on-base teaching and consulting with family service agencies.
  • Degree programs have been chosen by the DOD as highly-mobile and high need.
  • Students seek admission to the institution of their choice.
  • Students pay a negotiated common price/credit hour to the institution at which they matriculate.

Students who are interested in one of the degree programs should identify themselves as military-affiliated, so you can be directed to the proper units on campus. MSU is a military-friendly campus and also a yellow-ribbon campus and will honor your educational assistance package. All military-affiliated persons should apply for the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid as soon as possible and register for classes early to begin the billing and reimbursement process for tuition and fees (if allowed).

Contact

For more information on the Military Academic Achievement Program (MAAP), visit https://www.gpidea.org/students/military-veterans-families/about-maap for links to MSU resources for admissions, financial aid and resources on campus or contact the MSU Great Plains IDEA Campus Coordinator: Meagan Rau, 552 W. Circle Drive, 14 Human Ecology Building, 517-432-9225 or gpidea@msu.edu.

Woman at front of class presenting a poster to a group.

Learn the tools to analyze policies and communicate with decision-makers. The Early Childhood and Family Policy (ECFP) graduate certificate builds essential skills in policy development, analysis, evaluation, and communication. Students develop an interdisciplinary lens to understand the impact of early childhood and family policies across systems that address health care, education, child care, family leave, mental health, child maltreatment, parental incarceration, and minimum wage. A just society is undergirded by quality services distributed equitably and sustainably to support children’s optimal development during the early years. This graduate certificate places students at the helm of a new era of policies that impact children and families. 

Use your career to improve/positively impact the lives of children and families. The Early Childhood and Family Policy graduate certificate is designed for individuals committed to working across professional contexts to evaluate, inform, create, and advocate for evidence-based and equitable policies on behalf of diverse children and families. This certificate is designed for both current graduate students and working professionals in fields related to children, families, and public policy. For example, students and professionals in child development, community psychology, family sciences, education, health and human services, non-profit management, program evaluation, public policy, social work, sociology, social science research, women and gender studies, and any other fields addressing issues of poverty, equity, and diversity related to children and families. Those working toward completion of an Early Childhood and Family Policy graduate certificate  will be prepared to occupy positions in the following types of organizations: 

  • Local Government: City/County Offices or Commissions; Large Local Education Agencies

  • State and Federal Government: Administrative Offices in Education, Human or Social Services, Health and Mental Health; Legislative/Congressional Offices; Judicial Offices;

Social Service Agencies with Advocacy Departments

  • Non-Governmental Entities: Early Childhood Professional Organizations; Foundations; Community, State, and National Non-Profit Agencies

  • Organizations associated with the United Nations, World and Regional Banks·      

  • Advocacy Agencies and University/Research-based Organizations

 

Flexible program that fits your goals; 100% online, and primarily asynchronous 

  • The Graduate Certificate is completed through a series of rigorous online courses and learning experiences  

  • A cohort model creates connections across disciplines and geographies

  • 12 credits completed in four 8-week courses, each offered once/ year 

  • The majority of course content is designed for you to access and complete at your convenience with no more than two synchronous sessions per course  

  • Includes four courses in Early Childhood and Family Policy: 

    • 1. History, Child Development & Equity

    • 2. Examining Practices, Policies, & Key Issues

    • 3. Theory, Analysis, & Research 

    • 4. Policy, Leadership, & Policy Advocacy 

  • Capstone learning experiences completed through coursework will include: 

    • Policy Brief (Course 3) 

    • Policy Memorandum (Course 3) 

    • Policy Communications Podcast (Course 4) 

    • Policy Proposal and Oral Testimony (Course 4) 

Learn more.


Contact

For more information please contact the MSU IDEA Campus Coordinator: Meagan Rau, 552 W. Circle Drive, 14 Human Ecology Building, 517-432-2266 or gpidea@msu.edu.

More Information

Cooperating Universities

Michigan State University is a member of the Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA).  This multi-state alliance of accredited universities offers fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the human sciences. Universities share knowledge through a body of faculty with expertise in the fields.  This allows each campus to contribute unique course offerings to the degree programs and students have access to experts in the field regardless of location.  For instance, MSU faculty in the area of early care and education have been awarded grants to study and create innovative online learning strategies to work with children.

The Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) (https://www.idea.edu/) is different than other online universities in that:

  • The curriculum is developed by inter-institutional faculty teams at Research 1 institutions.  The degrees are not just a collection of classes.
  • All courses and programs receive full institutional review prior to implementation and meet the rigorous institutional academic standards of all member schools.  
  • Courses are taught by professors with expertise and research interests in content areas.
  • Students seeking admission must meet institutional admissions standards.  

In addition to Michigan State University, other participating institutions in these programs include:

  • Colorado State University
  • Iowa State University
  • Kansas State University
  • Montana State University
  • North Dakota State University
  • Oklahoma State University
  • South Dakota State University
  • Texas Tech University
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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