The Department of Family Sciences recently enhanced the masters and doctoral programs. Five emphasis areas have been created in an effort to refine student learning. Students are required to specify in their application which area they desire to study. They can choose from adolescent development, aging, couples and family therapy (master's level only), family finances and economics, and family processes.
This transformation has three noticeable benefits for students and faculty. First, it ensures that the student and the department are a good fit for each other. Secondly, it increases the effectiveness of assistantship matching between students and faculty. Third, it will help to focus the student's plan of study, committee membership, and thesis or dissertation topic.
One of the emphasis areas had actually preexisted under the name marriage and family therapy. This was changed to couples and family therapy. "Couples" includes committed, cohabiting, same-sex, and other unmarried couples. The name change better describes the academic and clinical work experience of students and faculty in this area.
The changes to the programs have been complimented by a restructuring and expansion of the department's website. Information about the emphasis areas was added, along with an updated faculty directory and new program details. Visit fam.uky.edu/grad to learn more.