Family Studies

Graduate Programs in Family Studies

A degree in Family Studies prepares students to work in a variety of satisfying career roles aimed at strengthening families and creating positive futures for everyone. Family Studies graduates have careers in:

  • Human services
  • Family-related agencies
  • Working with families in social service agencies ranging from child to geriatric
  • Services to church and family planning agencies
  • Parent or family life educators

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Degree Programs

Master of Science in Family Studies — Available 100% online

The 100% online Master’s degree in Family Studies is ranked in the Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Human & Family Development Programs as determined by TheBestSchools.org.

Catalog information for the Master of Science in Family Studies

Ph.D. in Family Studies

Catalog information for th Ph.D. in Family Studies*

*Major courses in this program consist of face-to-face and online formats. Face-to-face courses are offered only on the TWU Denton campus.

Courses offered by semester

Admission to the MS in Family Studies

Department Admission Contact:

Anna Stokes, M.S.
940-898-2686
astokes1@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

Fall - July 15
Spring - November 15
Summer - April 15

Admission Requirements

  • Completed bachelor's degree in a relevant field from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency, or an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework.
  • Submit the following documents into the application:
    • Curriculum Vitae/Resume highlighting relevant education, experience, and employment.
    • Email address for an academic or professional reference who can speak to your academic abilities and potential (they will be contacted with a link to upload their letter.
    • Letter of Intent/Essay that meets the following expectations: 
      1. Clearly state the reasons for pursuing a master's degree in Family Studies
      2. State your professional and educational experiences and goals
      3. Be sure that your goals align with program outcomes
      4. Indicate why you would be a good fit for this program
      5. Use professional, formal language and tone
      6. Use correct grammar, spelling, and syntax

 

Admission to the Ph.D. in Family Studies

Department Admission Contact:

Anna Stokes, M.S.
940-898-2686
astokes1@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

Fall admission - March 1
Spring admission - October 1
Summer admission - February 1

Admission Requirements

  • Completed master's degree in a relevant field from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency, or an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university.
  • Minimum 3.35 GPA on all graduate work.
  • Submit the following documents in to the application:
    • Curriculum Vitae/Resume highlighting relevant education, experience, and employment.
    • Email addresses for two academic or professional references who can speak to your academic abilities and potential (they will be contacted with a link to upload their letter)
    • Letter of Intent that meets the following expectations:
      1. Clearly state the reason for pursuing a Ph.D. in Family Studies
      2. State your professional and educational experiences and goals
      3. Be sure that your goals align with program outcomes
      4. Indicate why you would be a good fit for this program
      5. Use professional, formal language and tone
      6. Use correct grammar, spelling, and syntax
  • Participation in an admissions interview and complete an on-site writing sample.  The admissions coordinator will contact those applicants the department invites to interview.

Graduate Admission

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
  2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
  3. Submit Recommendation Requests
    If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application.
  4. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
    1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
    2. Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - Payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 304 Administration Drive, Suite 102, Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    3. Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (down the hall in ACT).
    4. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
    5. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants

Current student information

CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator) and NCFR (National Council on Family Relations) logos

The Family Studies curriculum has been approved by the National Council on Family Relations as meeting the standards and criteria for the Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. Relevant course work for each of the 10 family life substance areas needed for the provisional designation must be taken and graduates must qualify to complete the abbreviated CFLE process.

The deadline to apply via the abbreviated process is two years after your date of graduation. When applying, include the application, course checklist and a transcript.

Page last updated 10:04 AM, March 26, 2024