Arizona State University

School of Social & Family Dynamics

Last Updated

October 19, 2016

The School of Social and Family Dynamics is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and social institutions through innovative transdisciplinary research, instructional excellence, and active community involvement. We strive to be a leader in transformative discovery; fusing basic and applied research; and translating scientific knowledge into solutions for pressing problems related to children, youth, families, and their social worlds. The Program in Family and Human Development is a cutting-edge research and training program. Our focus is applied, but it is anchored in rigorous basic science and theory concerning family processes and human development.

Program Overview

Program Administrator

Dr. Richard Fabes

Department Emphasis

50% Human Development
45% Family Science
5% Family Therapy

Campus Enrollment

61,000

Program Options

Undergraduate
Master’s
Doctoral

Areas of Study

Development (Child, Human, or Family) - Doctoral
Development (Child, Human, or Family) - Master's
Development (Child, Human, or Family) - Undergraduate
Family Science/Studies - Undergraduate
Therapy (Couples, Marriage, or Family) - Master's

Department Address

PO Box 873701
Tempe, AZ 85287-3701
United States

Phone Number

480-965-6978

Website

https://thesanfordschool.asu.edu/

Undergraduate Program

Undergrad Program Options

Family and Human Development
Sociology

Undergrad Comments

Our undergraduate program provides students with an excellent liberal arts education, as well as pre-professional training for those interested in social sciences graduate study or other professional programs. Students not only study the historical, theoretical, and academic frameworks used to explain human development and family behavior, but also acquire practical knowledge and skills that can be applied in their daily lives and occupations. Students in our undergraduate program find numerous opportunities and benefits, from scholarships to research experience, from special workshops to internships. Our goal is to provide the best academic foundation within a real-world context.

We offer BS degrees in Family and Human Development and Sociology. Both degrees are offered on campus and through ASU online programs.

Bachelor's degree in Family and Human Development: The BS in family and human development offers course work on the development of individuals and families as they relate to their social worlds. A required concentration in family studies and child development provides a firm foundation for more individualized studies on contemporary issues related to human development from infancy through the end of the life span, and the development, formation and dissolution of families. Students develop proficiency in written communication, computer skills, statistics and research methods.

Link (on campus): https://thesanfordschool.asu.edu/family-and-human-development

Link (online): https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/undergraduate/bachelor-science-family-and-human-development

Bachelor's degree in Sociology: Sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. The BS in sociology trains students in written communication, computer skills, statistics and research methods. It offers a wide variety of substantive courses on contemporary social issues that range from crime to population trends and courses on social institutions such as the family, education and religion.

Link (on campus): https://thesanfordschool.asu.edu/sociology

Link (online): http://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/undergraduate/bachelor-science-sociology

Graduate Program

Graduate Director

Dr. Kimberly Updegraff

Master's Level

Masters Program Options

Family and Human Development
Sociology
Marriage and Family Therapy

Masters Comments

Our terminal Master's programs in Family and Human Development and Sociology provide advanced training to prepare individuals to work in community, social service, and government agencies. These are accelerated non-thesis programs that can be completed in as little as 15 to 18 months. We also offer a master's of advanced study in Marriage and Family Therapy. This on-campus program provides coursework and supervised internship experiences that meet the degree requirements for licensure in the State of Arizona to practice marriage and family therapy as determined and defined by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Doctoral Level

Doctoral Program Options

Family & Human Development

Doctoral Comments

The doctoral programs primary focus is on the structures, processes, and relationships of families rather than of individuals. Students take courses in family science, human development, research methodology, statistics, and intervention. The aims of the program are to train students to become researchers with an area of specialization in family science. Students can select one of three specializations, including Social and Emotional Development, Measurement and Statistical Analysis, and Diversity and Inclusion, or students can develop their own specialized area of expertise.

CFLE Information

NCFR recognizes schools offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs with course work that follows the Standards and Criteria required for approval as a Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). NCFR approval allows the school to offer their graduates the opportunity to apply for Provisional Certification using the Abbreviated Application process. The CFLE Checklist represents the courses that meet the CFLE criteria at that school. Students must complete all the courses on a checklist in order to qualify to apply for the CFLE designation through the Abbreviated Application process.