Why StudyFamily & Community Services Through IDEA?
Our online curriculum prepares you to understand individual, family, interpersonal, and community dynamics across the lifespan. Through this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen your local community by designing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining quality programs.
Students also learn to empower families during times of transition or stress (e.g., military families, families in poverty) while recognizing the role of diversity (e.g., racial/ethnic, military, religious) in family and community dynamics.
While families and your community will benefit from the knowledge you gain in this program, you will be in an elevated position for promotions and pay increases.
Listen as family and community services professor Ashlie Lester explains who the ideal student for this program is.
While this degree does not lead to licensure, students may take the certification exam to become a certified family life educator. Talk to your advisor about appropriate course offerings.
Your home university is where you pay tuition, manage your program, receive academic advising, and meet graduation or completion requirements. While you will take courses online at each of the participating universities, your home university will award the diploma or certificate at the completion of the program.
Review the official degree names for each member institution in our Family & Community Services Student Handbook.
"The online family & community services program is teaching me to observe, evaluate, and assist families using a strengths-based approach. All of my courses have contributed in some way to how I now approach my work and interact with those close to me. I am a better employee, sister, daughter, friend, and mentor because of the online Family and Community Services program!"
Kristen Wearbon, master's student and recipient of the 2022 Student Excellence Award
Program Formats in Family & Community Services
IDEA offers both an online master's degree and a graduate certificate, allowing you to select the best-fit academic path to meet your goals and advance your career.
Designed for working professionals, the family & community services program provides flexibility and convenience, as well as affordability through a common price per credit hour through all universities.
There is no GRE requirement for application to this program.
"I was looking for the education I needed to take the next step in my career to a program director or executive director. I spent a lot of time searching for a university and degree that matched my education in community organizing and advocacy and aligned with my interest in families and community services and supports. Finding IDEA and reading about the courses and career tracks of those who earned the MA in Family & Community Services, I knew right away that this was the degree and program for me. It has lived up to all I had hoped!"
Janice Santiago, family and community services master's graduate, and recipient of the 2023 Student Excellence Award
The family & community services master’s degree is a 36 credit-hour program offered completely online, providing flexibility for busy adults who don’t have access or time to attend on-campus classes. Students typically finish in two to three years, taking one or two courses each semester. The ten core courses include:
- Crises Across the Lifespan
- Family Dynamics
- Family Resource Management
- Foundations and Principles of Family and Community Services
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Lifespan Development
- Parenting Education
- Program Administration and Management
- Program Design, Evaluation, and Implementation
- Resilience in Families
Students work closely with their academic advisor to round out their master’s degree by completing six credit hours of thesis or elective credits that allow them to specialize in an area of interest.
Visit the course planner to see a suggested course sequence for specific classes.
The 12-credit online human services administration graduate certificate is an excellent option for those already working in human services agencies and looking to advance in their career while developing their administration and management skills. This certificate is also a great addition to other master’s programs, for example, human development and family science, social work, public health, early childhood education, and community development.
The graduate certificate is offered by the University of Missouri, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, and Michigan State University. The certificate includes three core courses and a choice of one elective. Students typically complete the certificate in 6-12 months. Courses include instrumental topics for current and future leaders in family and community service programs, such as grant management, budget design, program development, and evaluation methods.
Listen as Elaine Johannes, instructor in the family and community services program, explains what students will learn in this program and how the culture of this program creates a community for students and faculty to collaborate.
Program Information at Participating Universities
In the family & community services program, five universities work together to bring an innovative, top-notch academic experience, allowing you to get the best from our member universities. Faculty collaborate across universities, blending their range of perspectives and expertise to provide students with a unique experience not able to be offered at a single institution.
All IDEA member universities are accredited by regional agencies, aligning with requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. This ensures that students pursuing their degrees through IDEA are met with a high standard of academic excellence. Learn more about the accreditation of our member universities.
"The IDEA family and community services program is an amazingly affordable and diverse program. You can choose professors from many different schools to learn from and it is fun getting a taste of each school's unique culture."
Heather Topham, master's student in the family and community services program, and recipient of the 2022 Student Excellence Award.
Career Opportunities in Family & Community Services
A master’s degree or graduate certificate in family & community services can benefit a diverse range of professionals and help graduates advance into leadership positions like executive director, supervisor, program manager, or program developer.
Graduates of this program work across public, private, and nonprofit industries in areas such as:
- County extension offices
- Military community services
- Pre/Post-deployment assistance
- Family advocacy programs
- Child development centers
- Social service agencies
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- Community service programs
- Consumer credit counseling services
- Emergency shelters
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Crisis centers
- United Way
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Pursuing a master’s degree is a big investment, financially and time-wise. Carrie Hanson-Bradley, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, explains why the family & community services program through IDEA is worth that investment.
Collaborate with Expert Faculty
IDEA’s family & community services faculty come from different home universities, providing a range of perspectives and experiences. Unlike some competitor programs who hire outside instructors to teach someone else's curriculum, you'll learn from faculty who are dedicated to your success and collaborate together to bring you a unique, dynamic curriculum that is as rigorous and impactful as an on-campus program. Get to know more about the family & community services faculty members at the bottom of this webpage.
Apply Today and Start Making a Difference
IDEA’s online family & community services master’s degree and graduate certificate will help you develop the skills to effectively deliver needed services that strengthen families and enrich communities.
Ready to get started? Learn how to apply now!
What You Will Learn
How You Will Learn
