The Master of Science program in Family and Child Studies at Texas State University prepares students to address the needs of families and individuals across the lifespan. The 37-credit hour program is designed for students interested in research and applied careers. The program currently offers three tracks, Research in Family and Human Development, Program Administration & Evaluation and Child Life Specialist. The Research in Family and Human Development Track, will provide advanced educational experiences in the content areas of family and human development, cultural diversity, research methodology, statistics, and theories. Students will complete a thesis to prepare them for doctoral programs and research careers. The Program Administration and Evaluation track, offered with a thesis and non-thesis option, will provide advanced educational experiences in the content areas of program administration and evaluation, research methodology, theories related to families and children, child development, and current issues impacting families and children. The Child Life track, offered with a thesis and non-thesis option, will also provide advanced educational experiences in the content areas of research methodology, theories related to families and children, child development, current issues impacting families and children, as well as knowledge and expertise to become a Certified Child Life Specialist, a professional who has been educated and trained to help children and their families understand, plan, and manage challenging health care experiences in a way that supports children's growth and development, usually within a hospital setting.