This fall, N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro have joined forces to offer a master of science degree in human development and family studies, with a concentration in family life and parent education. The degree program is offered jointly in the Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences in N.C. State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in UNC-G's School of Human Environmental Sciences.

The UNC Board of Governors approved establishment of the joint 34-hour degree program, which began in August.

Students in the program are dually enrolled in both institutions and participate in the benefits offered to students at both. The program is open to students with a variety of undergraduate majors - including early childhood education, psychology, sociology and human development - who also have an interest in parenting education.

Dr. Karen DeBord, FCS professor and child development specialist, said there is a growing need for professionals trained as parent and family educators. Courts, local governments, community agencies and schools increasingly refer clients to parenting education programs.

For more information on the family life and parent education degree program, visit www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/masters or www.uncg.edu/hdf.

-Natalie Hampton