Online M.S. in
Human Development & Family Sciences
Designed for working professionals in child and family services, Texas Tech’s online master’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences prepares you for leadership in the fields of gerontology and youth development — on your schedule, wherever you are.
Build expertise that moves your career forward
Texas Tech’s online Master of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences is offered through the Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA), a consortium of seven public universities. The program is built for working adults already employed in child and family services who want to deepen their expertise and advance into leadership roles.
Choose one of two concentrations — gerontology or youth development — and complete your degree fully online, without putting your career on hold.
Upon successful completion, you will be prepared to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of human development and family systems to professional practice.
- Lead programs and services for older adults or youth in a variety of organizational settings.
- Evaluate research and translate findings into evidence-based practice.
- Advocate for populations across the life span in policy, direct service, and community contexts.
- Demonstrate leadership in interdisciplinary teams within social services, education, or healthcare.
Career Paths
Graduates of this program pursue leadership and direct-service roles across social services, healthcare, nonprofit, government, and education settings. Common job titles include:
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Healthcare Social Worker
- Child, Family, and School Social Worker
- Geriatric Care Coordinator
- Youth Program Director
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Policy Analyst or Advocate
What can you do with this degree?
Graduates move into leadership, research, advocacy, and program management roles in a growing field. Social and community service managers earn a median annual wage of $78,240, with 6% employment growth projected from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the national average.
Choose Your Concentration
Gerontology
30 Credit Hours
Prepare to be a practitioner in integrative aging studies and an advocate for older adults — whether you work in long-term care, design spaces to support aging in place, or seek specialized expertise to better serve an older population in your current role.
The gerontology concentration includes two required courses and a range of elective options drawn from three course blocks:
- The Aging Individual
- Aging in Context
- Practice in Integrative Aging Studies
Youth Development
36 Credit Hours
Build research-based skills and knowledge for working with youth across multiple settings. Core coursework establishes a foundation in leading theories, policies, and methodologies in youth programming — and builds your confidence to navigate influential systems that shape positive youth outcomes.
The program includes 27 credit hours of core coursework and nine additional hours through a combination of electives, practicum, independent study, or research experiences.
Master’s students are encouraged to contact the program director before applying: ali.j.luempert@ttu.edu
Texas Tech’s online Master of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences is delivered fully online through the Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) and is designed for working adults employed in child and family services. Both concentrations — gerontology and youth development — are offered through this program.
For program cost information, visit idea.edu/students/cost.
How to Apply
All application materials must be submitted through the Texas Tech Graduate School online portal.
Apply NowQuestions? Contact ashlee.murden@ttu.edu.
Application Deadlines
Fall Start: May 31
Spring Start: Nov. 4
Summer Start: March 23 (Youth Development only)
Human Development and Family Sciences
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Address
Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 41230, Lubbock, TX 79409-1230 -
Phone
806.742.3000 -
Email
hs.webmaster@ttu.edu