Family and Child Studies - Family Services

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Family and Child Studies prepares students for careers working with youth and families in various settings. A major in Family and Child Studies may be for you if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

  • Are you curious about the way children and adults grow and develop?
  • Have you wondered about how environmental and social factors affect physical, cognitive, and emotional development?
  • Are you interested in learning more about specific stages of human development such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, and aging?
  • Would you like to work with hospitalized children to help reduce the stress of medical treatment on them and their families?
  • Have you ever thought about a career in family counseling, working with youth in various settings, working with older adults, or teaching at the preschool or elementary grades level?

Graduates from the program work in a variety of human service settings. These include family and community services; youth service organizations; health care settings; juvenile and adult corrections; family courts system; long term care facilities; and early childhood, elementary, and parent education programs. This degree also provides students with the educational background they need to pursue graduate study in a variety of areas.

The Family Services concentration emphasizes the study of the family. Students learn about family development, relationships, dynamics, functioning, health, and resource management. They examine the various cultural, community, and socioeconomic contexts in which families function and study interventions used to support families. The concentration combines family research and theory with application in a variety of human services organizations and community agencies.
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Family and Child Studies Brochure
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Family and Child Studies prepares students for careers working with youth and families in various settings. A major in Family and Child Studies may be for you if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

View Program Brochure - Family and Child Studies‌

Course Requirements:

The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Summer 2008. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.

Family and Child Studies Core Courses
Number Name Hours
FCST 200 Introduction to Family Studies 3
FCST 348 Family Development over the Life Course 3
FCST 304 Research in Methods for Studying Families and Children 3
 
FCST 315 Field Experiences in Family and Child Services 3
OR
FCST 316 Service-Learning Experiences with Families and Children 3
 
FCST 418 Working with Diverse Families and Children 3
FCST 445 Poverty and Families 3
 
Family Services Required Courses
Number Name Hours
FCST 214 Child Development I 3
FCST 400 Senior Seminar 3
FCST 409 Internship 8
 
Family and Child Studies Electives
Select 9 credits of any available FCST courses.
 
Required Collaterals
Number Name Hours
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 
Elective Collaterals (select 9 credits)
Select 9 credits of ONEof the following areas of emphasis by advisement:
  • Child Advocacy (CHAD)
  • Health Studies (HLTH)
  • Justice Studies (JUST, PALG)
  • Political Science and Law (LSLW, POLS)
  • Psychology (PSYC)
  • Sociology (SOCI)
  • Women's Studies (WMST)
PROGRAM TOTAL: 53 credits

Course Sequencing

There are course sequencing and prerequisites that students should discuss with their advisors in planning their programs. Suggested course sequences for students are provided here.‌

FCFS Recommended Four-Year Plan (Fall 2012)
FCGR Recommended Four-Year Plan (Fall 2012)
FCSS Recommended Four-Year Plan (Fall 2012)