Explore CU Denver Programs

Use the search tool below to discover degree and certificate programs offered by CU Denver. If you are unable to find a program that is right for you, please contact Admissions or a school or college for more information.

Master of Arts in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences, Human Development and Family Relations

Program Overview

Prepares students to serve culturally and linguistically diverse families and individuals in a variety of community settings and social service organizations. The curriculum stresses the importance of family diversity and social justice. This MA is also suitable for graduate students preparing for doctoral studies in family science and human development or related areas.

What you'll learn

University of Colorado Denver’s MA in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences with a concentration in human development and family relations is an interdisciplinary program that prepares graduate students to serve culturally and linguistically diverse families and individuals in a variety of community settings and social service organizations. Through this program, you will be prepared to view culturally and linguistically diverse families from a strengths-based perspective and to serve them in a variety of contexts.

This MA is also a strong preparation for doctoral studies in family science and human development or related areas. Some of our graduates choose to enroll in the PhD with a concentration in Family Science and Human Development at CU Denver.

Personalized Professional Master’s Degree™

The degree is part of CU Denver’s Personalized Professional Master’s Degree™. In our flexible program structure, you have choice over 15 of the 30 credits required to earn an MA. In this concentration, half of the program (15 credits) offers you innovative courses and deepens your expertise in serving culturally and linguistically diverse students, families and organizations. At the same time, this Personalized Professional Master’s Degree allows you to customize your curriculum by selecting the remaining 15 credits from courses within HDFR or from across all areas of the SEHD according to your own needs and interests. Please discuss your course options with your faculty advisor.

Our program is designed with our faculty’s involvement in students’ academic and personal development. We foster a closely knit, dedicated community of students, each of whom is mentored by professors who care.

This program is also the first bilingual (Spanish) Human Development and Family Relations program in the country. You can take your courses entirely in English, or take some of your online courses in a Spanish/English bilingual format. The bilingual courses are uniquely constructed so that you do not need to speak Spanish in order to participate. This exposure to another language can provide you with both the competencies you need to truly be an advocate for Spanish language speakers in your community, as well as a competitive edge over graduates of other programs as it relates to gainful employment and doctoral program applications.

Students who complete this path will also be eligible to complete a bilingual (Spanish) Family and Community Services concentration area in preparation for working with Spanish-speaking families and communities. Faculty advisor approval is required for this concentration.

Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development

The School of Education & Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver attracts students who are passionate about careers in serving culturally and linguistically diverse families and individuals. We match their passion with an education that is rooted in diversity, technology, proven approaches and real-world practice. That’s why our graduates are prepared to make immediate and life-long impacts on people, communities and the world.

Program Description

What you'll learn

University of Colorado Denver’s MA in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences with a concentration in human development and family relations is an interdisciplinary program that prepares graduate students to serve culturally and linguistically diverse families and individuals in a variety of community settings and social service organizations. Through this program, you will be prepared to view culturally and linguistically diverse families from a strengths-based perspective and to serve them in a variety of contexts.

This MA is also a strong preparation for doctoral studies in family science and human development or related areas. Some of our graduates choose to enroll in the PhD with a concentration in Family Science and Human Development at CU Denver.

Personalized Professional Master’s Degree™

The degree is part of CU Denver’s Personalized Professional Master’s Degree™. In our flexible program structure, you have choice over 15 of the 30 credits required to earn an MA. In this concentration, half of the program (15 credits) offers you innovative courses and deepens your expertise in serving culturally and linguistically diverse students, families and organizations. At the same time, this Personalized Professional Master’s Degree allows you to customize your curriculum by selecting the remaining 15 credits from courses within HDFR or from across all areas of the SEHD according to your own needs and interests. Please discuss your course options with your faculty advisor.

Our program is designed with our faculty’s involvement in students’ academic and personal development. We foster a closely knit, dedicated community of students, each of whom is mentored by professors who care.

This program is also the first bilingual (Spanish) Human Development and Family Relations program in the country. You can take your courses entirely in English, or take some of your online courses in a Spanish/English bilingual format. The bilingual courses are uniquely constructed so that you do not need to speak Spanish in order to participate. This exposure to another language can provide you with both the competencies you need to truly be an advocate for Spanish language speakers in your community, as well as a competitive edge over graduates of other programs as it relates to gainful employment and doctoral program applications.

Students who complete this path will also be eligible to complete a bilingual (Spanish) Family and Community Services concentration area in preparation for working with Spanish-speaking families and communities. Faculty advisor approval is required for this concentration.

Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development

The School of Education & Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver attracts students who are passionate about careers in serving culturally and linguistically diverse families and individuals. We match their passion with an education that is rooted in diversity, technology, proven approaches and real-world practice. That’s why our graduates are prepared to make immediate and life-long impacts on people, communities and the world.

CU Denver graduates earn more, build community, and make connections. Take the first step toward your future and join an inclusive community of learners while gaining the skills of tomorrow, today.

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