Lubbock Christian University
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Family Studies

Family Studies Degree

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About the Family Studies Degree

The B.A. in Family Studies focuses on the development of individual, couple, and family wellness across the lifespan. Hence, particular attention will be given to the interactions among individuals, families, communities, and cultures.

Students majoring in family studies will take a series of courses that provide a foundation for understanding the complex issues related to the family.

The family studies curriculum will cover:

  • the family life cycle
  • family stress and coping
  • family financial management
  • human development from infancy through late adulthood
  • marital and family interaction
  • parenting, issues related to gender and ethnicity
  • human sexuality
  • theoretical frameworks for studying families
  • the relationship between the family and other social systems.

Additional courses that will benefit students:

  • community and family services
  • family intervention
  • family ministry
  • research methods
  • statistics

Why Get a Family Studies Degree?

Benefits of the Program

Practicum: Each student majoring in family studies will participate in an off-campus practicum designed to facilitate professional growth and development.

  • What is practicum?
    • Practicum involves a local placement in a structured and supervised field setting to give an introductory experience to the field of human sciences and overview of the work of a professional in a helping profession. Students will have the opportunity to experience a professional role and become acquainted with an agency or site and develop skills needed by professionals in the field. The practicum consists of 120 supervised hours for family studies and psychology majors.
  • Why it’s beneficial
    • Make connections with professionals in your field
    • Real-world career insight
  • Possible locations
    • Refuge Services – Equestrian Therapy
    • Family Outreach Center of Lubbock
    • CASA (Court appointed special advocates for children)
    • FBI

Certified Family Life Educator: Graduates of the family studies program will have met all the standards and criteria needed for Provisional Certification as a Family Life Educator, a designation granted by the National Council on Family Relations. Certification will increase a graduate's credibility as a family life educator and thus will expand his or her employment opportunities. Visit https://www.ncfr.org/cfle-certification/what-family-life-education for more information about the Family Life Educator certification.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a degree in family studies may find employment in the following areas:

  • Child-care professions
  • Extension service
  • Hospital child life specialist
  • Family life education
  • Youth & family ministry
  • Children's ministry
  • Gerontology services
  • Children's Protective Services
  • Family Service Agencies
  • Adult Protective Services
  • Women's Protective Services
  • Nursing home service
  • Treatment of addictive disorders

Graduates with a degree in family studies may pursue graduate work in the following areas:

  • Family Studies
  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Human Development
  • Gerontology
  • Consumer Science
  • Counseling

See Degree Plan Details!

Visit the University Catalog here to view the family studies degree and other LCU degree plans.

  Degree Plan

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