USM Prepares Students to Support Individuals and Families Throughout Lifespan
Tue, 08/19/2025 - 09:24am
91短视频 (USM) School of Child and Family Sciences has changed its name to the School of Human Development and Family Science to align with national standards in the field and broaden the lifespan graduates are prepared to serve.
Corresponding revisions to curriculum and program offerings are designed to meet the growing demand for individuals with the knowledge and skills to ethically promote child and family well-being and quality of life.
Dr. Heath Grames, director of the school, says the name change and programming updates are inspired by a desire to make the degrees more appealing to a broader range of students and to more accurately reflect the school鈥檚 academic and professional focus. The shift from "child and family sciences" to "human development and family science" emphasizes the school鈥檚 commitment to studying individuals and families across the entire lifespan, not just childhood. It also aligns more closely with national standards in the field, highlighting a systems-based approach to understanding relationships, development and well-being within families and communities.
鈥淲e believe the updated name will help potential students better recognize the wide variety of career paths available to graduates, including roles in social services, education, mental health care, nonprofit organizations and other professions that support individuals and families throughout their lives,鈥� said Grames.
Located in the College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS), the School of Human Development and Family Science offers the following degrees:
Undergraduate:
- Bachelor of Science in early childhood (new degree program)
- Bachelor of Science in family science (formerly one of two emphasis areas within a combined degree in child and family sciences)
Graduate:
- Master of Science in human development and family science (formerly child and family sciences)
- Master of Science in marriage and family therapy (MFT)
The school鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degrees are accredited by the American Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (). The MFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education ().
鈥淩enaming our school to the School of Human Development and Family Science strengthens our visibility and positions us to have an even greater impact across Mississippi. By more clearly reflecting the breadth of our expertise and the communities we serve, we open the door for more students, more partnerships, and more opportunities to improve lives throughout the state,鈥� said CEHS Dean Dr. Trent Gould.
Click for more information about the School of Human Development and Family Science.