Feb 17, 2026  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Family Sciences, B.S.


The Human Development and Family Sciences program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences needed to help improve the lives of families and individuals. Students learn how interpersonal dynamics and relationships shape human development and the human experience. During their journey, students learn about topics such as parent-child relationships, dating and marital relations, human sexuality, lifespan human development, family conflict and violence, adolescent development, aging, family preventions and interventions, and managing family resources. Additionally, students will work with their advisor to select a minor in accordance with their specific interests and professional goals.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared for meaningful careers across industry, government, non-profit, and academia. Employment opportunities include child life specialist, couple and family therapist, Extension agent, family lawyer, family life educator, guidance counselor, human resources specialist, non-profit manager, social services manager, and youth services director. Students will also be prepared to enter a variety of professional and graduate programs.

Graduation Requirements

To earn the Bachelor of Science in Family Sciences, the student must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade-point average. A minimum of 45 credit hours must be from upper division courses (300 level and above). Remedial courses may not be counted toward the total hours required for the degree.

 

Suggested Four-Year Plan for the B.S. in Family Sciences  

UK Core Requirements


See the UK Core section of this Catalog for the complete UK Core requirements . The courses listed below are (a) recommended by the college, or (b) required courses that also fulfill UK Core areas. Students should work closely with their advisor to complete the UK Core requirements.

I. Intellectual Inquiry in Arts and Creativity


II. Intellectual Inquiry in the Humanities


III. Intellectual Inquiry in the Social Sciences


IV. Intellectual Inquiry in the Natural, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences


V. Composition and Communication I


VI. Composition and Communication II


VII. Quantitative Foundations


VIII. Statistical Inferential Reasoning


IX. Community, Culture and Citizenship in the USA


X. Global Dynamics


UK Core hours: 30-31


Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR)


Subtotal: Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement hours (GCCR): 9


Subtotal: Premajor hours: 22


Subtotal: Major hours: 34-35


Professional Support


In addition to the major requirements, each student in consultation with his or her academic advisor will select a minimum of 18-21 credits in course work in a university recognized minor. At least 12 of these hours must be at the 300 level or above. A minor is a structured group of courses that leads to considerable knowledge and understanding of a subject. Suggested minors include Psychology, Sociology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Appalachian Studies, Business, Communication, Health Promotion, Health Advocacy, Community and Leadership Development, etc.

Students must contact the department responsible for the minor program for guidance and advising.

Subtotal: Professional Support: 18-21


Electives


Electives at the 300 level or above to reach 120 credits including sufficient credits to reach 45 hours at the 300 level or above. Work with an advisor to select additional FAM classes if available.

Subtotal: Electives: minimum of 11


TOTAL HOURS: 120