Department of Applied Human Sciences

Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Human Development and Family Science

The B.S./M.S. program in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) with an M.S. specialization in Prevention Science trains students in applying research-based knowledge to the development, implementation, evaluation, and administration of programs designed to prevent relational trauma and promote individual, family, and relationship health and well-being across the life course. This B.S./M.S. program will provide outstanding undergraduates the opportunity to pursue their Bachelor of Science in HDFS and Master of Science in HDFS with a specialization in Prevention Science in a shorter time than typically required to earn a B.S. and M.S. degree if pursued separately. It also allows early admission to the graduate program in Prevention Science as well as the ability to count nine credit hours of coursework in their graduate program toward their undergraduate degree.

Admission Requirements

The application and admission process is the same as for the traditional M.S. degree in HDFS with a specialization in Prevention Science except that completion of the BS degree is not required. The following requirements must be met before an individual can be admitted into this program:

  • The student must be seeking a bachelor's degree in HDFS at Kansas State University.
  • The student must have completed 75-90 credit hours toward the B.S. degree.
  • The student's cumulative undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.0.
  • Students are responsible for researching financial aid implications of starting an accelerated degree program.
  • A student who has completed all coursework for the bachelor's degree is not eligible for the accelerated program.

How to Apply

Graduation Requirements

A maximum of 9 graduate credit hours from the MS degree in HDFS with a specialization in Prevention Science may be counted toward the bachelor's degree in HDFS. Some additional conditions are:

  • The student must complete 30 graduate credit hours with a graduate GPA of at least 3.0.
  • The student must complete all undergraduate degree requirements with the exception of 9 credit hours taken at the 700/800 level that satisfy the undergraduate and graduate program requirements.
  • In the event that the student begins this program but does not wish to finish the HDFS M.S. specialization in Prevention Science degree requirements, the student must notify the Dean's Office immediately. A notation on the student's transcript will indicate courses taken at the graduate level were applied to the bachelor's degree.
  • Students in accelerated programs may apply to be awarded with their bachelor's degree the semester they complete degree requirements, which may occur 1 to 2 semesters prior to completion of the master's degree.

Culminating Experience

All students completing this Accelerated B.S./M.S. degree will be required to complete a written thesis or capstone and an oral defense of that written product.

Thesis
A master's thesis is original scholarship based on the student's research, which is conducted and written under the direction of the student's major professor and supervisory committee. In order to prepare students for successful completion, the thesis process will include pre-proposal and proposal meetings, in addition to mentoring from a student's supervisory committee throughout the duration.

Capstone
A master's capstone is original scholarship based on an applied project the student conducts. In order to prepare students for successful completion, the capstone process will include a proposal meeting, in addition to mentoring from a student's supervisory committee throughout the duration.

Application Information

Accelerated B.S./M.S. Program

Students interested in completing the Accelerated B.S./M.S. program should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure they enroll in the correct courses.

    • The admission deadline for students planning to complete their B.S. degree in May is June 1st of the prior year.
    • The admission deadline for students planning to complete their B.S. degree in December is December 1st of the prior year.

Questions? Contact our Graduate Program Coordinator Michelle Toews.