Master of Arts [M.A] [Human Development and Family Studies (Lifespan Development)] From University of Missouri

The Master's-level Lifespan Development program is designed for students who have an interest in human development over the life course. Course work focuses on the principles of development, with special emphasis on the importance of context.

We have a well-established mentoring program, which begins as soon as the student is accepted into HDFS. We actively prepare our students to become successful academic scholars both in terms of research and teaching. The range of careers for which we prepare our students is unparalleled. Since 2000, our program has placed more faculty into research extensive family studies departments than any other program in the U.S. We also prepare PhDs and master’s students for applied careers in administration, program evaluation, and program development. Our alumni have positions with universities and colleges in the United States, Canada, and Korea. We have developed an outstanding reputation as a place to study individual and family diversity and multiculturalism across the life course. Because we define diversity and multiculturalism broadly, our focus is on the multitude of ways that individuals and families may differ, including, but not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, family structure, nationality, geographic location, and sexual orientation.