Individual, Family, and Community Sciences, M.S. (Online)

General Program Information

Jamie Branam Brown, Ph.D. Professor, Program Coordinator
brownjb@etsu.edu

Faculty: Jamie Brown, Michelle Hurley, Kwangman Ko, Mary Langenbrunner, Bethany Novotny, Cassandra Pusateri.

Individual, Family, and Community Sciences is a broadly defined field with an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focused on prevention and remediation to uniquely promote various ways to meet human needs. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Individual, Family, and Community Sciences offers a core curriculum, internship, and capstone experience to provide enhanced competence and advanced qualifications grounded in best practice and directed toward success in the helping professions. Graduates of the program are eligible to become Certified Family Life Educators upon National Council on  Family Relations Academic Program  Approval. Graduates may further their careers in leadership of individual, family and community science programs, administration of nonprofits, staff training, grant writing, team leader, program development and coordination, family support, parenting education, financial and family management, operational management, marketing and public relations, research and program evaluation, advocacy and community organizing, advancement and fundraising, and expanding number of roles with private, public, voluntary, international, and nonprofit organizations. NOTE: The Master of Science does not lead to professional licensure as a counselor. See the M.A. in Counseling program for information on counselor preparation programs.

Graduate Studies Contact: Admissions Team

*Please send all questions related to admissions to gradadmissions@etsu.edu. This account will be monitored constantly by the three team members, which will provide coverage when someone is out sick or on vacation.

Graduate Studies Contact: Enrollment Team

Admission Requirements

The Department of Counseling and Human Services values diversity and does not condone or engage in discrimination based on race, color, gender identity and expression, sexual or affectional orientation, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, physical disability, or socioeconomic status.

Because of the importance of interactional competency in the field of individual, family and community sciences, interpersonal skills, professional behavior, and aptitude for working with individuals, families and community will be considered in addition to academic potential.

In addition to submitting an application and official transcript of all academic work previously completed, the following are required (all materials are to be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies):

1. An undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher

Exception: Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 may be considered for admission after completion of at least 9 hours of graduate coursework with at least a GPA of 3.5

2. Three (3) letters of reference that address the applicant’s abilities and potential for graduate education and individual, family and community sciences professional practice;
3. An essay (2-3 pages) detailing experiences that have shaped pursuit of the degree, disposition and skills for advocating and helping others in their personal and social development, and what to anticipate from the graduate program;
4. A resume, including personal data, educational experience, employment and volunteer experiences, specialized trainings/professional development, grant or scholarship authorship and/or implementation, organization officer or board membership, and professional affiliations and recognition; and
5. After a review of application materials, applicants whose documents indicate a potential for success will be invited for an interview (video conferencing, phone, or in person) with individual, family and community sciences graduate program faculty.

Please note that applicants who are otherwise qualified for admission may not be admitted based on program enrollment and limited resources.

Individual, Family, and Community Sciences M.S. Degree Requirements: 37 credits

Individual, Family, and Community Sciences M.S. Core Requirements: 28 credits

• HDAL 5230 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• HSRV 5001 - Advanced Family Theories (3 credits)
• HSRV 5010 - Parenting & Family Life Education (1 credit)
• HSRV 5150 - Counseling and Case Management (3 credits)
• HSRV 5200 - Ethics and Social Justice (3 credits)
• HSRV 5420 - Applied Family Theories (3 credits)
• HSRV 5510 - Grant and Report Writing (3 credits)
• HSRV 5720 - Individual, Family & Community Internship (3 credits)
• COUN 5950 - Research and Evaluation for Counseling and Human Services (3 credits)

• or

• EDFN 5950 - Methods of Research (3 credits)
• SOWK 5567 - Human Sexuality (3 credits)

Advisor Approved Electives: 6 credits

Electives are selected by students based on consultation with the graduate coordinator in the human service program. Some suggested electives are listed below.

• COUN 5100 - Groups: Processes and Practice (3 credits)
• COUN 5207 - Girls’ and Women’s Wellness for Helping Professionals (3 credits)
• COUN 5549 - Substance Abuse: Counseling Individuals and Families (3 credits)
• ELPA 5722 - Student Development and the College Environment (3 credits)
• ECED 5210 - Advanced Child Development (3 credits)
• EDFN 5200 - Advanced Educational Psychology (3 credits)
• HDAL 5017 - Homelessness, Hunger, Poverty, and Politics (3 credits)
• HDAL 5027 - Serving Ex-offenders: Facilitating Reintegration (3 credits)
• HDAL 5127 - Divorce: Causes and Consequences (3 credits)
• HDAL 5137 - Youth Violence - Intervention to Prevention (3 credits)
• HDAL 5147 - The Opioid Crisis (3 credits)
• HDAL 5220 - Advanced Adolescent Psychology (3 credits)
• HSRV 5100 - Social Services: Systems and Leadership (3 credits)
• STOR 5647 - Applied Storytelling: Storytelling for a Purpose (3 credits)

Capstone: 3 credits

• HSRV 5959 - Individual, Family & Community Capstone (3 credits)