The department of Applied Human Sciences offers a Master of Science degree in Family Studies and Human Services with a specialization in life span human development. The life span human development M.S. specialization is concerned with the growth and development of the individual, the varying contexts of human development, and the processes underlying development throughout the life cycle. The continuous and systematic changes in the behavior of individuals, and the processes underlying these developmental changes across the life span, are of primary interest. Consideration is given to the ways in which varying and changing ecological contexts, both large and small, influence human development. In the department of Applied Human Sciences, we are particularly interested in the influences of family context and family relations on the course of development. Further, consistent with the orientations and goals of our applied perspective, this specialization is concerned with identifying factors which may foster and enhance development and optimize growth over the life span. Overall, the life span human development specialization provides students with opportunities to study developmental processes and transitions from conception to death, the many factors influencing the course and direction of development, and implications of these for research, applied programs and social policy.