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Major in Family Studies

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.

Additional Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science: 9 or 10 hours

Complete 6 hours Social Science: ECO, FIN, GEO, PSC, PSY, HON 225, SOC (only 3 hours of SOC may be included).

Complete 3-4 hours: BIO, CHE, PHY, MAT, CSC, or HON 235.

Bachelor of Arts: 12 hours

Complete 6 hours Social Science: ECO, FIN, GEO, PSC, PSY, HON 225, SOC (only 3 hours of SOC may be included).

Complete 6 hours Humanities (ENG, HIS, CHR, HON, PHL) or 6 hours of foreign language (1 language/1 year) 111 or above.

Major Requirements: 36 hours

Required Courses: 27 hours

SOC 214Social Research I

3
SOC 225Relationshps, Marriage and Families

3
SOC 325Families Across Cultures

3
SOC 356Food, Culture and Society

3
SOC 370Gender and Sexuality

3
SOC 419Social Diversity and Inequality

3

SOC 411Internship

3
Or
SOC 498Senior Capstone Seminar

3

SW 338Children and Families At Risk

3

PSY 219Developmental Psychology

3
Or
PSY 324Child Growth and Development

3

Choose one concentration: 9 hours

Pre-Child Life Concentration:

SOC 322Sociology of Health and Medicine

3
SOC 420Death and Dying

3
PSY 313Adolescent Psychology

3

Family Ministry Concentration:

SOC 319Sociology of Religion

3

SOC 321Social Gerontology

3
Or
CHR 271Youth Ministry Strategies

3

SW 307Faith-Based Social Serivces

3

Pre-Counseling:

SW 305Psychopathology

3
PSY 425Introduction to Counseling

3
SOC 322Sociology of Health and Medicine

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.