Apply to Our Programs

We are looking for intellectually curious, academically prepared, and highly motivated individuals interested in enhancing the well-being of diverse families in a changing world. If you are interested in research, teaching, and engagement in communities that focuses on family well-being, we could be the right place for your study. Our programs pride themselves on being socially relevant, diverse, innovative, collaborative, and inclusive. Students are taught and mentored by a multi-disciplinary faculty with backgrounds in sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy, family economics and resource management, and human development and family studies... all with a common interest and focus on families. Individuals interested in gaining knowledge of diverse family well-being in a department that embodies the integration of research, teaching, and engagement in communities are especially encouraged to apply.

Select a program to learn more about admissions requirements, application procedures, and timelines. To learn more about the programs, please visit our Programs & Degrees page.

Program	About	Deadline
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)	A multi-disciplinary undergraduate major involving extensive coursework and a rigorous internship. This is a great match for students interested in helping people, developing counseling skills, and understanding human relationships across the lifespan.	Incoming Freshmen: December 15 Incoming Transfer: October 1 (Spring), March 1 (Fall)
Master's - Family Social Science	Plan A with Thesis: Prepares students for an advanced degree in family social science or a related field. 20 coursework credits and 10 thesis research credits. Plan B with Project: Designed for students who want to work in the community without pursuing a Ph.D. 26 coursework credits and 4 project credits.	Fall Admission: December 1
Ph.D. - Family Science	Students specializing in Family Science gain a broad knowledge of families across the lifespan, are able to engage in independent research related to families, and select supporting interdisciplinary coursework focused on the student's interests and goals (e.g. child psychology, program evaluation, research methods, minor in gerontology, family policy, life course, families and health). Graduate students may apply for a combined MA/Ph.D. admission if they do not already have a master's degree.	Fall Admission: December 1
Ph.D. - Marriage & Family Therapy	MFT Ph.D. students are trained to become world-class therapists, trainers of therapists, therapy researchers and supervisors, therapy program directors, and therapy administrators. Admission to the accredited MFT program is available only to doctoral applicants who have already obtained a clinical master's degree, or who have achieved equivalent clinical experience, as determined by the MFT faculty.	Fall Admission: December 1
M.Ed. - Family Education: Professional Studies	Available for licensed teachers or to those in educational roles who wish to enhance their professional skills and understandings. Many individuals choose to combine this M.Ed. degree program with a teaching license in parent education.	Summer Admission: March 1 Fall Admission: July 1 Spring Admission: November 1
Licensure - Parent & Family Education	Available for those who wish to teach in and lead parent education programs in a variety of school and community settings. In Minnesota, the parent education licensure is required for those teaching in early childhood and family education (ECFE) programs. Though not required for licensure, students may choose to combine this program with an M.Ed. in family education, or other advanced graduate degrees.	Summer Admission: February 1 Fall Admission: June 1 Spring Admission: October 1
Certificate - Parent Education	An online post-baccalaureate program designed for those who wish to teach in and lead parent education programs in a variety of school and community settings that do not require a Minnesota teaching license.	Rolling admission