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Child, Youth & Family Studies, MS, Specialization in International Family Studies

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Program Description

This online degree program in International Family Studies is designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills for strengthening families through research, service, and policy intervention.

The program focuses on professional roles related to international family services with perspectives on families and communities and the ability to act effectively and ethically in decision-making and problem solving.

Graduates of this program will be prepared to engage in constructive public discourse to sustain and strengthen families across the globe and apply logical, critical, and creative thinking to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in international family studies.

This program is available through a partnership with institutions in the Global Consortium for International Family Studies (GCIFS).

Who should consider this degree program?

  • Master's degree students in Family and Consumer Science
  • Prospective students with undergraduate degrees in family studies, child development, or related fields
  • Professionals desiring additional education
    • Government workers (e.g., immigration, health, military)
    • World Health Organization workers
    • Philanthropic organization workers
    • International corporation workers
    • Humanitarian workers

 

 

 

Delivery Format

Home Campus: University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Method of Delivery: 100% Online - what's this?Program can be completed fully at a distance. Courses are asynchronous, meaning students and instructor may access content at any time and do not have to be connected to the Internet at the same time. If your program includes an internship or practicum, experiences may be completed in the student's local area.

All online courses are accessed via the Internet and use a learning management system. Technology requirements may vary by program and course, but all campuses have basic recommended requirements. High-speed Internet is required.

Interaction with professors and other students may include:

  • E-mail
  • Online discussion boards
  • Phone or video conferencing
  • Other forms of electronic and print communication

Supplemental materials for some courses may include:

  • Printed material and scanned documents
  • Digital resources accessed through university libraries
  • Videos accessed via the Internet, CDs or DVDs
  • Other media

To be successful, students taking online classes should be reasonably comfortable using a computer and the Internet. Learn more about online student tips for success.

Global Consortium for International Family Studies (GCIFS)

The GCIFS was developed to advance family studies education throughout the world by bringing scholars and educators from around the world together to develop an educational curriculum and to share faculty resources in delivering that curriculum.

The GCIFS is a consortium of five universities:

  • The University of Newcastle (Australia)
  • Tata Institute (India)
  • Aristotle University (Greece)
  • East China Normal University (China)
  • University of Nebraska–Lincoln (United States)

 

Academic Year 2012 - 2013

Tuition rates are effective for the academic year listed. Tuition is subject to change.

The costs outlined below are for the CYAF distance courses taught by UNL. Rates shown are for students taking only UNL online/distance courses. Students enrolled in a combination of UNL in-person/on-campus courses and online/distance education courses should visit Student Accounts for complete tuition and fee information.

Nebraska Resident:

 TuitionDistance Ed. FeeTechnology FeeLibrary FeeTotal
Per credit hour$325.50$25.00$7.35$4.00$361.85
3 credit hour$976.50$75.00$22.05$12.00$1,085.55

Non-Resident:

 TuitionDistance Ed. FeeTechnology FeeLibrary FeeTotal
Per credit hour$507.00$25.00$7.35$4.00$543.35
3 credit hour$1,521.00$75.00$22.05$12.00$1,630.05

Note: In addition to the costs outlined above, students will be assessed a $20.00 registration fee each semester they enroll in courses.

Because of the global nature of the consortium, the word semester is not used to describe the start and stop period for courses. The terms spring, summer, and fall also do not apply because of the different hemispheres of the consortium members. Rather, the academic terms for the program will run:

January – April
May – August
September – December 

Note: Additionally, no holiday breaks will be recognized during the terms.

Program of Study

This online master's degree is a 36 credit hour program. The degree program consists of up to seven core courses (21 credit hours), plus 15 credit hours of a combination of elective courses and other learning experiences to make a total of 36 credits. This combination could include internship experiences, electives or additional courses, practice research experience, and thesis.

Option I Master's Degree:

  • 21 credits from the 7 required core courses
  • 9 credits practicum/internship or a combination of practicum/internship and elective coursework
  • 6 credits of master’s thesis

 

Option III Master's Degree: 

  •  21 credits from the 7 required core courses
  • 6 credits from elective course(s)
  • 6 credits from practicum/internship
  • 3 credits research other than thesis
Course Name
Course #
Credits
Core Courses

Families Across the Life Course

CYAF 837
3

Exploration of family interactions and individual development across the life span and the cultural, political, and social factors that impact development globally.

Family Centered Practice Approaches

CYAF 844
3

Material and course experiences prepare students for family centered practice regardless of discipline. Course content emphasizes the family as the unit of observation, programming, and intervention.   

Foundations in Family Studies

CYAF 884
3

Introduction to the trans-disciplinary field of Family Studies from global perspectives. Theoretical and research approaches to the study of the family in varied cultural and national contexts will be explored.

Families and Cultural Diversity

CYAF 885
3
Critical understanding of the diversity of family forms in their cultural contexts. The impact of history, tradition, and contemporary trends on families will be explored. Emphasis will be on recognizing, accepting, and working within a context of diversity of culture and family form.

Strengths and Challenges of Families Across the...

CYAF 886
3

Strengths and Challenges of Families Across the World

Theoretical, practical, and experiential learning to enhance understanding of family strengths and challenges across the world. Principles for developing culturally sensitive strengths-enhancing programming for children and families throughout the world will be addressed.

International Perspectives on Family Policy

CYAF 887
3

Analysis of the systems, contexts, and policies that affect individuals and families throughout the world. 

Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

CYAF 889
3

Principles and methods of program design, implementation, and outcome evaluation of family programs in global contexts and across the globe.

The online master's degree in International Family Studies program is offered through a joint agreement between universities in the Global Consortium for International Family Studies (GCIFS) which advances Family Studies education throughout the world by bringing scholars and educators from around the world together to develop curriculum and to share faculty resources in delivering that curriculum.

Dr. Qiuling An, Associate Director, Social Work Department East China Normal University

Richard J. Bischoff, Ph.D., Associate Professor University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Penny Crofts, Co-Director, Family Action Centre The University of Newcastle Australia

Neela Dabir Ph.D., Professor and Registrar Tata Institute of Social Sciences Inda

Rochelle L. Dalla, Ph.D., Associate Professor University of Nebraska - Lincoln

John DeFrain Ph. D., Emeriti -University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Deborah Hartman, Team Leader, Teaching and Learning Family Action Centre The University of Newcastle Australia

Cody Hollist, Ph.D., Assistant Professor University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Lina Kashyap Ph.D., Professor / President Elect, GCEFS, and Deputy Director (Pro-Vice Chancellor) Tata Institute of Social Sciences Inda

Eleni Kassapi, Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Shewli Kumar Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Chairperson Tata Institute of Social Sciences Inda

B Devi Prasad Ph.D., Professor and Director Tata Institute of Social Sciences Inda

Allison M.J. Reisbig, Ph.D., Assistant Professor University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Michelle Rupiper Ph.D., Associate Professor of Practice University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Julia Torquati Ph.D., Associate Professor University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Magda Tsolaki, Associate Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Yan R. Xia, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Faculty Coordinator University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Guidelines for Admittance

To participate in this program, the student must:

  • Have earned a bachelor's degree or equivalent (no GRE)

Application Checklist

Admission to a UNL graduate program is a two-step process. You will apply to both Graduate Studies and the Department of Child, Youth & Family Studies. For admission requirements specific to this program, please visit Graduate Admissions

  1. Submit three letters of recommendation
  2. Letter of intent
  3. Students for whom English is not their native language, submit TOEFL exam scores or equivalent

Application Deadlines

Although applications are considered on a continuing basis, preferred deadlines for the semester in which you plan to begin your coursework are as follows:

Course Term Preferred Deadline
September – December April 15
January – April October 15
May – August January 15

 

Contact

Online Worldwide Educational Representative
Phone: 888.622.0332
E-mail: online@nebraska.edu

Distance Education Contact
Name: Cheryl Griffith
Phone: 402.472.5515
E-mail: unlextended@unl.edu

Program Contact 
Name: Lisa King
Phone: 402.472.7787
E-mail: lking2@unl.edu

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