Family Science, B.A.
Visit the Social and Behavioral Department page for more information on the program and access to advising.
Program Description
The Family Science, BA/BS equips students with the knowledge and skills to strengthen individual and family well-being through evidence-based practices and interventions. Rooted in the competencies required for Certified Family Life Educators, this program emphasizes relationship skills, ethical decision-making, and family systems theory. Graduates are prepared to serve different populations and apply effective communication and conflict management strategies in both personal and professional settings.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
| General Education Requirements: | 31 Credits | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 1005 | Foundations of Academic Writing | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (3) (recommended) | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra (6) (recommended) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics (3) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics with Algebra (5) | ||
| College Algebra (4) | ||
| College Algebra with Preliminaries (5) | ||
| College Algebra for Business (3) | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Heritage (3) | ||
| American National Government (3) | ||
| American History (3) | ||
| US Economic History (3) | ||
| US History to 1877 and US History since 1877 (6) | ||
| Distribution Courses: | ||
| Biology | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| Humanities (Fulfilled with Foreign Language 2020/2020G course) | 4 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Discipline Requirements | 36 Credits | |
| FAMS 1150 | Marriage and Relationship Skills | 3 |
| FAMS 1500 | Human Development Life Span | 3 |
| FAMS 2400G | Contemporary Family Relation | 3 |
| FAMS 2705 | Ethics for Family Interventions | 3 |
| FAMS 2800 | Teaching Human Sexuality | 3 |
| FAMS 3050 | Clinical Practice for Helping Professions | 3 |
| FAMS 3250 | Applied Parenting | 3 |
| FAMS 4400 | Family Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| FAMS 4500 | Family Life Education Methodology | 3 |
| FAMS 4660 | Family Resource Management | 3 |
| FAMS 4670 | Family Dynamics and Systems | 3 |
| Complete one of the following (students with extraordinary circumstances may petition the internship coordinator for an acceptable substitution for internship credit): | 3 | |
| Community Practicum (3) 1 | ||
| Stronger Families Practicum (3) 1 | ||
| Elective Requirements | 53 Credits | |
| Complete 24 hours of electives (19 of which must be upper division). Students should select courses that complement Family Science or that meet their personal goals. | 24 | |
| Any course 1000 or greater | 17 | |
| Complete 12 credits in the same foreign language, includes ASL | 12 | |
- 1
Students must earn a B- or greater to meet graduation requirements.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 120 credits, 40 of which must be 3000 level or higher.
- Minimum overall UVU GPA of 2.0 upon graduation.
- Minimum 2.5 program GPA upon graduation.
- Residency hours – minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
- All major course work taken to meet Behavioral Science requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
- For the BA degree, completion of 16 credit hours of course work from one language to include the 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020G/2020 levels or transferred equivalents.
- Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
- Successful completion of at least two WE courses.
Note: Please see department advisor for explanation of all program requirements, a list of recommended classes, and for assistance with creating an academic plan for graduation.
Note: If a student has completed an associate degree through another institution, the required general education courses may be waived.
Note: Students need to pass ENGL 1010 Introduction to Academic Writing CC or ENGL 1005 Foundations of Academic Writing and ENGL 2010 Intermediate Writing/Academic Writing and Research CC or ENGL 2010H Intermediate Academic Writing with a C or higher for the Family Science degree courses.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing or Foundations of Academic Writing | 3 |
| Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| FAMS 2400G | Contemporary Family Relation | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Language (Any course 1000 or higher) | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Biology | 3 | |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 2 | |
| Language | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| FAMS 1150 | Marriage and Relationship Skills | 3 |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Language | 4 | |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| FAMS 1500 | Human Development Life Span | 3 |
| FAMS 2800 | Teaching Human Sexuality | 3 |
| American Institutions | 3 | |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| Language | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| FAMS 3050 | Clinical Practice for Helping Professions | 3 |
| FAMS 4500 | Family Life Education Methodology | 3 |
| FAMS 2705 | Ethics for Family Interventions | 3 |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Elective (Upper-division - 3000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| FAMS 4400 | Family Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| FAMS 3250 | Applied Parenting | 3 |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Elective (Upper-division - 3000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Elective (Upper-division - 3000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| FAMS 4810R or FAMS 4820R | Community Practicum or Stronger Families Practicum | 2 |
| FAMS 4670 | Family Dynamics and Systems | 3 |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 2 | |
| Elective (Upper-division - 3000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| FAMS 4660 | Family Resource Management | 3 |
| Elective (Any course 1000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Elective (Upper-division - 3000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Elective (Upper-division - 3000 or higher) | 3 | |
| Elective (Upper-division - 3000 or higher) | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Design educational interventions that address the developmental, relational, and systemic needs of individuals and families.
- Integrate core competencies from the National Council on Family Relations into family life education practices.
- Apply communication and conflict management strategies to address challenges in interpersonal and family systems.
- Engage with individuals and families across varied contexts through effective, community-based approaches.
- Evaluate and apply evidence-based information to guide ethical decisions and professional practices in family life contexts.