Deadlines
Ph.D. – all concentrations
Fall Enrollment - December 1st
M.S. Plan A (research track) in Child Development or Human Development and Family Studies
Fall Enrollment - December 1st
M.S. Plan B (professional track) in Child Development or Human Development and Family Studies
Fall & Summer Enrollment - February 1st
Spring Enrollment - October 1st
Online Master’s Degrees and Graduate Certificates
Spring Enrollment - October 1st
Fall Enrollment - February 1st
How to Apply
Applying to a graduate program in HDFS is a two-step process:
1. Submit a Graduate School Application
- In the application, indicate the program you are applying to:
- 7692: Doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies
- 7693: Youth Program Management and Evaluation-Graduate Certificate
- 7694: Youth Development Specialist-Graduate Certificate
- 7645: Youth Development-MA
- 7722: Family Community Services-MA
- 7691: Human Development and Family Studies-MS; also indicate Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (project)
- 7702: Child Development-MS; also indicate Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (project)
- All PhD and Masters Plan A applicants must clearly indicate the faculty member(s) from whom they wish to receive research mentorship.
- PhD applicants must clearly indicate the desired concentration area of study, i.e., Child Development, Couple and Family Therapy, or Diversity, Youth & Family Development (DYAD) (The DYAD concentration was formerly known as Lifespan Human Development and Family Diversity [LHDFD]; if you are applying for graduate study with the DYAD concentration, select the LHDFD concentration in the application system).
- Applicants must submit an Academic Statement and a Personal Statement within the application system:
- The Academic Statement should be about your plans for graduate study, your research interests, career goals, and how MSU's graduate program will help you meet your educational and career goals. Describe how your research and/or professional interests and goals fit with HDFS program and faculty.
- The Personal Statement is about how your background and life experiences (including social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) that motivate your research interests and your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Describe any obstacles that you have overcome to pursue your educational goals.
- Upload your Resume or Curriculum Vitae that includes the following:
- Employment history
- Education, degrees
- Honors and leadership
- Involvement in student organizations, professional organizations, and honor societies
- Honors, special awards, research and other creative work
- Other material related to your professional background and experience
- Provide Test Scores
- **NEW as of Fall 2023** The HDFS Department no longer requires Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test scores for applications for any applicants to the PhD and Masters programs.
- However, if applicants have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) “General Test” within the last 5 years, they are encouraged to submit their scores if applying: (1) to the PhD program, (2) to the Master’s Plan A (research track) program, or (3) as an international student. The code for Michigan State University is 1465.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from one of the English language proficiency exams accepted by Michigan State University. Learn more about the tests and required scores from the Office of Admission’s page on English Language Proficiency. The code for Michigan State University is 1465.
- References - Within the MSU portal system, indicate your recommenders
- In your MSU application, you must identify at least three recommenders and provide their contact information. Your recommenders will be sent an email from the University that provides instructions on how to upload their reference letter into your portal. Ask them to complete the form and write a letter assessing your ability to successfully complete the graduate program. Reference letters sent directly to the department from an applicant will not be included in an application; if recommenders need assistance getting their letter into the portal, they can contact Mr. Phil Reid (reidphil@msu.edu). Your application should include at least one academic reference; please ask former professors, work supervisors, or others who can best assess your academic experience and potential. Family members and friends are not appropriate recommenders.
- For applicants to the Child Development Linked Bachelor’s + Master’s degree program, one letter should come from your undergraduate advisor and should list the undergraduate courses that will count toward your linked Master’s degree.
- Other Materials
- A writing sample is not required for any of the applications. However, applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample as additional evidence of their preparation for graduate study.
Grad Application
2. Transcripts
- All students must provide official transcripts before admissions can be completed. However, if official transcripts are not yet available, students may upload unofficial transcripts as part of the application prior to the application due date so that their application can advance in the review process.
- Domestic students have the option to send e-Transcripts as the official transcripts to the department via (gradhdfs@msu.edu) or to send hard copy transcripts to:
Michigan State University
Graduate Admissions
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
- International students must send a hard copy of official transcripts to:
Michigan State University
Graduate Admissions
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
If you have any problems uploading documents to the application form or this site please send an e-mail to Phillip Reid reidphil@msu.edu
Application Review Criteria:
Once an application is complete, each application will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Prior educational and professional achievements
- Societal impact of academic and career goals as stated in the academic and personal statements
- Fit with program goals and research interests of faculty in the department
- Alignment with a faculty advisor who is available to mentor the candidate
Questions?
For questions or additional information about the application or admissions process, please contact Mr. Phil Reid (reidphil@msu.edu). For substantive questions about the graduate programs or the applications, please contact:
- Dr. Claire Vallotton (vallotto@msu.edu) for the PhD in Human Development and Family Studies or the on-campus Master’s Degrees in Child Development or Human Development and Family Studies.
- Dr. Yuya Kiuchi (kiuchiyu@hdfs.msu.edu)for the Master’s Degree programs in Youth Development and Community and Family Services and the Certificate programs for Youth Development or Early Childhood and Family Policy.