When families thrive, we all thrive
Families are foundational to our society. They are the cornerstone of our individual lives and critical to our “self-understanding.” It’s no secret that families face a constant barrage of challenges in our modern age. The world needs men and women who answer the call to help families thrive. How about a career in a field that allows you the incredible privilege of helping families cope with whatever life throws at them?
Credits
36
Cost Per Credit
$630
Careers
- Family Therapist
- School Social Worker
- Life Scientist
Faith-based
We are committed to engaging your mind and spirit for service to Christ in the church and the world.
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Concordia University will not share your personal information. By submitting this form you agree to be contacted about Concordia's Education Offerings.Program Overview
This master’s program focuses on how the family relates to society. With a strong emphasis on counseling skills, you’ll be given a great opportunity to bring Christian compassion and understanding to the challenges that face modern families. This program teaches you how to help parents, teachers, and students face the challenges that confront them. You’ll learn skills that will allow you to positively impact a child’s well-being and equip parents to navigate today’s culture.
What to Expect
While no family is perfect, every family is most definitely unique. The issues families face these days are incredibly diverse. This program will help you address them from a Christian perspective. You’ll learn how to nurture children by building self-esteem, and how to help create healthy environments where families can not only grow, but thrive. You’ll study the major issues facing families and educators, and the cultural background and biases that affect relationships. You’ll learn individual and group counseling techniques, as well as positive steps that educators and parents can take to counteract societal trends.
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Locations
- Online
How to Apply
Graduate Application Steps
- Application (Please Submit the Following):
- Application form
- Non-refundable application fee
- One page essay describing your reason for obtaining a graduate degree
- Résumé of your education and employment experience
- Two signed letters of recommendation using the Recommendation Form (recommendation letters on letterhead may also be submitted)
- All official transcripts leading to your bachelor’s degree
Please note:
- Graduate entrance exams such as the GRE are not required.
- If you have completed graduate level classes in the last seven years and wish to have them evaluated for possible transfer, please contact your admissions counselor for more information on transferring graduate credits.
- International students should contact the Office of International Student Services at international.admissions@cuaa.edu for additional application requirements.
- Evaluation
When an applicant’s file is complete, the file is forwarded to the Admission Committee for review. - Admission
If the student is admitted, an acceptance letter will be mailed to the student and the student’s CUAA student ID number. Password information to access my.cuaa.edu will be sent separately from the Information Technology office. Your advisor will be able to give you information regarding completion of the required student orientation before you begin your first class.
Non-Degree Seeking Graduate Students
- Please complete the Non-Degree Application
- Non-degree applicants only need to submit an application to begin admission review; however academic transcripts may be requested to complete our review.
Contact Us
For additional information, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admissions@cuaa.edu or 734-995-7527.
Jennifer A. Fieten MA, CCLS
Program Director - Child Life , Assistant Professor
Office: Student Services - CUAA 117
Phone: (734) 995-7426
Email: jennifer.fieten@cuaa.edu
Bio
Jennifer Fieten has been a child life specialist for 19 years. She is currently the Director of Child Life Programs at Concordia University Ann Arbor, coordinating both the undergraduate minor and the new graduate program. She is also an Assistant Professor within the undergraduate family life education major. Prior to this role, Jennifer was a child life specialist in a pediatric palliative care and hospice program in Illinois. She has also worked in a variety of healthcare settings. Jennifer has her bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University, her master's degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and will be re-starting her doctoral study this upcoming fall.
Education
- MA - Early Childhood/Education, University of Texas at San Antonio (2007)
- BS - Family, Consumer, Nutrition and Sciences, Northern Illinois University (2000)
Contributions
- Fieten, J. (2019). Q is for Quiet Leadership 37 (2, pp. 2). Arlington, Virginia: ACLP Bulletin/Association of Child Life Professionals.
- Fieten, J. (2018). The Integration of Simulation into Child Life Academic Programs 36 (4, pp. 4). Arlington, Virginia: ACLP Bulletin/Association of Child Life Professionals.
Presentations
- Fieten, J. (2019). Engagement and Innovation Leadership Roundtable . Other. Association of Child Life Professionals' Annual Conference. Maryland.
- Fieten, J. (2018). Expanding Horizons: Developing a Child Life Global Perspective. Oral Presentation. Great Lakes' Association of Child Life Professionals' Annual Conference. Cincinnati, OH.
- Fieten, J. (2018). Clinical Ethics: Truth Telling in the Pediatric Hospice Population. Oral Presentation. Florida Association of Child Life Professionals' Annual Conference. Orlando, FL.
- Fieten, J. (2018). Transitions: From Clinical Child Life to the Academic Setting. Oral Presentation. Florida Association of Child Life Professionals' Annual Conference. Orlando, FL.
Research Interests
- Child Abuse Prevention
- Healthcare Disparities
Teaching Interests
- Child Life
- Child and Family Studies
Joshua Kittleman
Assistant Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7398
Email: joshua.kittleman@cuaa.edu
Education
- MS - Family Life, Concordia University Nebraska (2011)
- BA - Family Life, Concordia University Ann Arbor (2002)