We offer a Master's Degree, for students who do not yet have a master’s and who are intent on pursuing the PhD. The MS program provides an opportunity for independent research to be reported in a formal master's thesis and enables students to complete a substantial portion of the PhD coursework.

Upon completing graduate study in HDFS, alumni are employed at colleges and universities known for teaching and research, community colleges, public and private research institutes, and federal and state agencies. Some enter private consulting and practice. Graduates also contribute to program and policy development and analysis for employers such as the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Providence Hospital Medical Center, Oregon Social Learning Center, and divisions of state government such as Oregon Adult and Family Services and Oregon Senior and Disabled Services.