Master of Science in Family and Child Studies – Family Science (Online)

Learn to serve Oklahoma families by gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to promote healthy individual and family development with an online Master of Science (M.S.) in family science from the University of Central Oklahoma's Connected Campus.

UCO has a deep history of educating those who support Oklahoma’s children and families, rooted in our beginnings as the state’s teacher’s college. We’ve been a leader in the evolution of Oklahoma's education for more than 130 years, and the fully online M.S. in family science is our latest innovation.

Our comprehensive coursework and curriculum focus on individual development, lifespan development, healthy romantic and other interpersonal relationships, family systems, professionalism and ethics, and research. The fully online program has national academic program approval from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)

Students can finish the program in approximately two and a half years, for just over $17,000. 

About the Online M.S. in Family Science 

Students pursuing UCO's online master's degree in family science will gain an advanced understanding of issues surrounding various issues Oklahoma children and families face. UCO's caring and supportive professors have advanced education and first-hand experience working with individuals and families, which will help you be successful in the professional practice of family life education.  Through the family science degree program, you will learn the skills needed to successfully equip and empower family members to develop knowledge and skills that enhance well-being and strengthen interpersonal relationships through an educational, preventive and strengths-based approach. Courses within UCO's fully online degree cover a variety of topics ranging from family dynamics and sexuality, family law and public policy, parent support and intervention, as well as family trauma and crisis. 

Family Science Certifications 

The online family science degree program at UCO prepares students to apply for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential, recognized in the U.S. and Canada for Family Life Education professions, by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). The CFLE credential is the nationally recognized standard in family life education – validating a professional's experience and knowledge as a family life educator. 

The Certified Child and Parenting Specialist credential is also available to those graduates who successfully complete the required examination and internships. 

Curriculum 

The fully online Master of Science in family science takes 37-38 credit hours to complete. You'll dedicate 19 credit hours to required core courses, 15 credit hours in interdisciplinary courses and three credit hours in either a capstone or thesis course. 

For professionals looking to advance their careers, the core courses will broaden existing knowledge of family dynamics and the theories behind family and child studies. Courses in this degree are taught by faculty with Ph.D. experience in the field and passion for helping students succeed. Our curriculum provides insight into many of the critical factors facing family and human development, including child development, diversity and ethics. 

Review curriculum for the M.S. in family science

Requirements for Admission

• A completed application for graduate admission.
• Official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each institution attended with all degrees posted. All transcripts must be from accredited institutions.
• Undergraduate transcript must show:
  • A minimum 2.75 GPA overall or 3.00 GPA in the last 60 hours attempted; and,
  • Completion of the following prerequisite courses: FMCD 2213 or PTE 4133, FMCD 2223, FMCD 3313 and FMCD 4413.
• Applicants will be required to complete a writing-sample session. These are given once each semester.