Major: Family and Community Services
Do you want a job in which you can make a difference? If you major in family and community services, you’ll get the chance to do just that. Earning a degree in this field prepares you for work in a wide range of human services such as child welfare, social work, mental health, community outreach, and family counseling.
You’ll learn about the social services that government agencies provide and the politics behind these services. You’ll also study human growth and development, from prenatal stages to old age. And, of course, you’ll learn techniques for getting out into the community and educating people one-on-one and in groups.
Students of family and community services learn how to develop and run support services -- private, public, and voluntary -- that help families and individuals.
Did You Know?
- In this major, you’ll learn about subjects that deal with real-life situations, and you’ll get real-life experience outside the classroom.
Are You Ready To...?
- Attend lectures
- Take part in class discussions
- Intern in community centers and other settings
- Write papers
- Give class presentations
It Helps to Be...
Someone who wants to help others grow stronger and solve their own problems.
College Checklist
- Does the program focus more on preparing students for graduate school or for the work world?
- Does the program offer concentrations in such areas as counseling or research?
- Are there services on or near campus where you can gain hands-on experience?
- In which areas do professors specialize?
Did You Know?
- If you choose this major, you’ll gain more understanding about yourself and your own family.
Course Spotlight
In an introductory course on the family, you’ll look at this basic social structure from the perspective of many disciplines, from history and anthropology to biology. You’ll explore the definition of family, the many phases of intimate relationships, and the varied customs of marriage in different societies. You’ll examine the relationships between family members as well as the role of the family within the context of society at large.
