Major in Family Studies—36 hours

The family, as a basic building block of society, is critical to the functioning of society as a whole. The contribution of the Christian community to the development of leaders in family relations is crucial. The Family Studies major focuses on the development of the individual in the context of family and society. The program is designed to prepare students for (a) professional careers in a variety of human service areas; (b) leadership roles in church, school, and community; (c) personal roles in family living; and (d) graduate education. Graduates who do not pursue graduate study typically find employment as parent educators, child life specialists and program directors in public and private agencies.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements:

SOC 214	Social Research I	3
SOC 225	Relationshps, Marriage and Families	3
SOC 325	Families Across Cultures	3
SOC 356	Food, Culture and Society	3
SOC 370	Gender and Sexuality	3
SOC 417	Social Theory	3
SOC 411	Internship	3
	Or
SOC 498	Senior Capstone Seminar	3
SW 338	Children and Families At Risk	3
PSY 219	Developmental Psychology	3
	Or
PSY 324	Child Growth and Development	3

Select 9 hours from Chosen Concentration:

Pre-Child Life Concentration:

SOC 322	Sociology of Health and Medicine	3
SOC 420	Death and Dying	3
PSY 313	Adolescent Psychology	3

Family Ministry Concentration:

SOC 319	Sociology of Religion	3
SOC 321	Social Gerontology	3
	Or
CHR 271	Youth Ministry Strategies	3
SW 307	Faith-Based Social Serivces	3

Pre-Counseling:

SW 305	Psychopathology	3
PSY 425	Introduction to Counseling	3
SOC 419	Social Diversity and Inequality	3

Students seeking Child Life Specialist certification through the Association of Child Life Professionals are urged to consult the ACLP web site (childlife.org) and to meet with the Sociology Department chair to ensure that they understand both the required undergraduate course work and postbaccalaureate certification requirements.