Master's and PhD Programs
Family Social Science graduate programs offer you a unique program of study using the insights and methods of the social sciences to examine how families develop and grow within various contexts and cultures. You will learn to:
- integrate family theory, research, and practice
- produce scholarly research
- develop effective and innovative teaching skills
Your program of study will include research and coursework across the breadth of family social science, including:
- conceptual theoretical frameworks
- research, assessment, and evaluation methodologies
- implementation and translational research
- community collaborations and system change initiatives
Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized leaders and researchers committed to your success. Their research areas encompass child adjustment in families; families and culture; families and financial decisions; family formation and intergenerational studies; families, loss, and trauma; intimate family relationships; and parent and family education.
To learn more, explore their research projects, or watch videos of faculty members discussing their work.
Explore Master's programs
A Master's degree in Family Social Science will prepare you for a variety of careers in academia, policy-related firms, and social service or health care organizations.
A Master's in Family Social Science will prepare you for an advanced degree in Family Social Science or a variety of careers in academia, clinical administration and leadership, policy-related firms, government agencies, independent research institutions, school systems, and social service or health care organizations.
If you are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree but have not yet earned a master's degree, the joint M.A./Ph.D. in Family Science program is an option. You will enter as a master's candidate and after completing the capstone thesis, will be evaluated to continue into the doctoral program. Please note that this program of study is not a pathway to a Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy which has different requirements.
Explore Doctoral programs
A PhD will prepare you to lead with a broad foundation in theory, research, and practice. Choose from specializations in:
The Family Science Specialization includes coursework, research engagement, and intense mentoring from faculty to prepare you to contribute to the broader field of Family Science and develop effective teaching skills.
The Couple & Family Therapy doctoral specialization prepares the next generation of leaders and agents of social change to work systemically with diverse families and communities locally and internationally.
Go Deeper
Learn more about Family Social Science graduate programs in the the online Family Social Science Graduate Handbook.
FSOS graduate handbooks and program manuals from past years are linked at the Forms & Handbooks page.
Financing your education
Visit OneStop Student Services: Finances for information on tuition, fees, and financial aid.
Visit the Assistantships, Fellowships, & Other Funding page for information about funding opportunities through FSoS, CEHD, and UMN.
Information about assistantships and benefits are on the Office of Human Resources website.
Faculty and Staff Contacts
- Sumitra Madhuri Ramachandran, Graduate Program Coordinator
- Stacey Horn, Department Head and Professor
- Catherine Solheim, Director of Graduate Studies and Professor
- Armeda Wojciak, Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) Program Director and Associate Professor
Contact the FSOS Graduate programs at fsosgrad@umn.edu