Accelerated Masters in Human Development

This program allows current Human Development students to extend their time at Virginia Tech for as little as one year and earn a master’s degree. Graduates with an M.S. going on the job market would be highly qualified to work as administrators in public, private, and nonprofit organizations in areas such as county extension offices, community services, family advocacy programs, child development centers, social service agencies, human resources, crisis centers, and NGO (non-governmental organizations). By prioritizing both content knowledge and skills with research methods, grant-writing, and program evaluation, our graduates will be ready to have a positive impact on individuals and families across the lifespan, as well as the diverse communities within which they live, play, work, and thrive.

The Department of Human Development and Family Science has four focus areas: Adult Development and Aging (ADA), Child and Adolescent Development (CAD), Family Science (FS), and Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Faculty and students are associated with one or more of these areas reflective of their scholarly interests. The MFT area is the most distinct as students affiliated with this area engage in clinical practice and supervision and complete an internship during their fourth year.