Psychology students who obtain an M.S. in Human Development and Family Science will have studied human development across the lifespan, from infancy to old age, using an interdisciplinary perspective. This degree option will provide students with a career path and preparation for careers in parenting, couples, and relationships education, direct service, extension, and community-based programs.
This program does not fulfill accreditation and licensing requirements for careers in counseling and therapy.
Admittance to the Double Dawg Pathway will open in the fall to Psychology majors in the fall semester of their third year (the fall semester preceding their final three semesters before graduation).
Coursework
The coursework focuses on the development of individuals and families, and provides flexibility for students to identify courses that explore interactions among individuals, families, communities, and society.
Are you interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in a research-focused graduate program?
Are you interested in pursuing a career in the field working with children, youth, adults, and/or families?
Who is Eligible?
Psychology majors will apply to the Double Dawgs pathway during the fall preceding their final 3 semesters before graduation (see below for sample time line). Acceptance into the pathway allows students to begin taking graduate level coursework, with the intention of applying to the graduate program (fall of year 4; final fall before graduation). Admittance to the pathway does not guarantee admittance into the graduate program.
Applications must be submitted by October 31 to the department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS application) in addition to the pathway application found on the main Double Dawgs site for this program (see Apply to Pathway button).
| Graduation Date | Pathway Application Due Date |
| Spring/Summer 2026 | Fall 2024 |
| Spring/Summer 2027 | Fall 2025 |
| Spring/Summer 2028 | Fall 2026 |
Pathway Application, Fall of Year 3
Deadline to apply is October 31. Applying is a two step process, please apply to the Double Dawg Pathway and to HDFS.
Pathway applicants will be required to provide a transcript demonstrating achievement in their coursework, including:
- a 3.0 Overall GPA and a 3.3 Major GPA;
- completion of, or enrollment in (at time of application), at least one HDFS course (HDFS 2100, HDFS 2200, or HDFS 2950);
- evidence of experiential learning opportunities through a resume or experiential learning transcript; and
- completion of, or in the process of completing (at time of application), 60 course credit hours.
Also, as part of your application to the program, you are required to include a maximum 1,000 word “statement of interest.” This statement will help us confirm your fit for the program and which faculty member could best serve as your mentor during the Pathway program. It is the department’s expectation that you will work with that faculty mentor during your year in the Pathway program, and prior to applying to the graduate program. Your statement should include the following information:
- What are your long-term professional goals and how do your goals fit within the mission of the HDFS Program. How will the M.S. DoubleDawg program help advance you towards reaching your goals?
- What content areas of research and outreach/practice do you hope to pursue as a MS DoubleDawg student and beyond (i.e., specific problems or issues, research questions, types of families/relationships you hope to study or support)?
- What types of research and/or outreach experiences have prepared you for the MS DoubleDawg program in Human Development and Family Science?
- Identify at least one graduate faculty member with whom you hope to work and briefly describe how your research and/or outreach goals and interests fit with the expertise of the faculty.
If you are interested in applying to the pathway, please complete the application using the "Apply to Pathway" Button (see below). You are also required to "Apply to Pathway" through the Double Dawg website for the thesis or non-thesis option.
Each Double Dawg program has its own requirements for graduate admission, and admittance into the Pathway does not mean that you are accepted into the graduate program.
Graduate Program Application, Fall of Year 4
Deadline to apply is December 1. All applicants are required to follow the directions for applying provided on our HDFS Graduate How to Apply webpage.