The Family Science major focuses on the study of families and the problems they face in contemporary society. The major offers excellent training in scientific methods to understand family development, behavior, and strengths, and to solve family problems. Students learn to describe, explain, and improve the quality of family life through education, applied research, policy analysis, and human services program management.

Students in our major study families, the challenges they face, and ways to help them succeed in today's society. The curriculum focuses on individual and family development over the life span, examining social, cultural, economic, and historical trends that affect family functioning. Required coursework examines: changing family forms/lifestyles, culturally diverse families, child/family development, inter-generational relations, family law, family economics, poverty, work and family issues, family crises, research methods, and the delivery of human services to families. Each student also completes a 120-hour internship course, providing an opportunity to apply coursework in a professional position.