Family Studies Minor

As an interdisciplinary minor, Family Studies draws on courses in psychology, sociology and social work to offer students a theoretical and practical understanding of the family as a social institution and a vital social system. Students will study the individual’s development within the family, the interrelationships among family members, and the reciprocal influence of the family and society at large. The Family Studies minor seeks to prepare students for entry-level careers or graduate study in a variety of fields such as public policy human services, counseling, law and research.

The Family Studies minor is open to all students. Students may elect to do an internship through their major at a setting approved by the Family Studies Committee.

Minor in Family Studies (27 credits)
Required Courses:
PSY 110 Foundations of Psychology I or PSY 111 Foundations of Psychology II (3 credits)
SOC 111 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
PSY 150 Parenting: Psychological Theory and Research (3 credits)
PSY 200 Human Sexuality or PSY 290 Thanatology (3 credits)
SOC 252 Family (3 credits)
SOC 253 Childhood and Society or SOC 256 Aging and Society (3 credits)
SWK 254 Child Abuse and Maltreatment or SWK 255 Family Violence (3 credits)
SWK 452 Family Dynamics (3 credits -- see catalog course description for prerequisites)

Recommended Courses:
PSY 250 Developmental Psychology: Childhood (3 cfredits)
PSY 252 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Adulthood (3 credits)
PSY 260 Psychology of Gender (3 credits)
PSY 298 Kids and Teens, Life and Death (3 credits)
SOC 262 Sexuality and Gender (3 credits)
SWK 213 Social Change and Social Services (3 credits)
SWK 375 Diversity Workshop (2 credits)
BIO 116 Drugs and the Body (3 credits)
BlO 127/127L Human Biology (4 credits)
COM 141 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
COM/PSY 241 Gender and Communication (3 credits)