Program Overview

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Family Science BS Program

The Family Science Bachelor's of Science degree from The University of Southern Mississippi is designed to help students turn their interest in promoting healthy development within families and a better quality of life for children into a rewarding career. This fully online bachelor's degree in Family Science prepares students to support families, advocate for change, and lead programs that uplift communities.

Program-at-a-Glance

• Total Hours: 120
• Major Area of Study: 61
• Additional Requirements: 9-12
• Cost per Credit Hour: $433.59
• Completion Time: 2-4 years
• Accreditation: AAFCS
• Special Requirements: None

Program Description

The Family Science program prepares students to work directly with individuals and families in every stage of life and promotes family well-being through evidence-based strategies and systems thinking. Family Sciences majors learn how to examine the systemic relationships among individuals, families, and communities. All students take courses in individual and family development across the life cycle, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics, and parent-child interactions.

Family Science Courses

• Family Systems Theory
• Parenthood
• Marital and Family Relationships
• Families in Crisis
• Sexuality in the Family Systems
• Family life education
• Family support services
• Public policy
• Children, Families, and Technology

Career Opportunities

A Family Science bachelor's degree is ideal for those wanting a career in a field related to social services, parent education, or the operation of non-profit agencies.

General Education Curriculum

Written Communication

• Composition One: 3 hrs.
• Composition Two: 3 hrs.

Natural Science

Select 2 courses with labs:

• General Astronomy I: 3 hrs.
• General Astronomy II: 3 hrs.
• Biology and Society: 3 hrs.
• Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology: 3 hrs.
• Principles of Biological Science I: 3 hrs.
• Principles of Biological Science II: 3 hrs.
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I: 3 hrs.
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II: 3 hrs.
• Chemistry and Our Environment: 3 hrs.
• General Chemistry I: 3 hrs.
• Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biochemistry: 3 hrs.
• Weather and Climate: 3 hrs.
• Land and Water: 3 hrs.
• Physical Geology: 3 hrs.
• Historical Geology: 3 hrs.
• Introduction to Ocean Science: 3 hrs.
• General Physics I: 3 hrs.
• General Physics II: 3 hrs.
• General Physics I with Calculus: 4 hrs.
• General Physics II with Calculus: 4 hrs.
• Living in a Material World: 3 hrs.

Humanities

• World Literature: 3 hrs.
• Select 2 courses, 1 History required:
  • World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.: 3 hrs.
  • World Civilizations: 1500 to the present: 3 hrs.
  • Colloquium on the Pre-Modern World: 3 hrs.
  • Colloquium on the Modern World: 3 hrs.
  • Introduction to Philosophy: 3 hrs.
  • Ethic and Good Living: 3 hrs.
  • Comparative Religion: 3 hrs.

Aesthetic Values

Select 1 course:

• Art Appreciation: 3 hrs.
• Dance Appreciation: 3 hrs.
• The Enjoyment of Music: 3 hrs.
• Theatre Appreciation: 3 hrs.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Select 2 courses:

• The Human Experience: A Global Perspective of Human Diversity: 3 hrs.
• Introduction to Cultural & Linguistic Anthropology: 3 hrs.
• Basic Economics: 3 hrs.
• World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth: 3 hrs.
• Concepts of Wellness: 3 hrs.
• American Government: 3 hrs.
• General Psychology: 3 hrs.
• Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology: 3 hrs.
• Introduction to Language: 3 hrs.

Mathematics

Select 1 course:

• Quantitative Reasoning: 3 hrs.
• College Algebra: 3 hrs.
• High-level MAT course: 3 hrs.
• ACT Math sub score of 24 or higher
• SAT Math score of 560 or higher

Writing-Intensive Requirement

• Family Life Education: 3 hrs. ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites

Speaking-Intensive Requirement

Select 1 course:

• Public Speaking: 3 hrs.
• Small-Group Communication: 3 hrs.

Capstone Requirement

• Contemporary Issues Affecting the Quality of Life: 3 hrs. Must be taken Senior Year; ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites

Program Curriculum

Major Area of Study Requirements

Minimum grade of "C" required in all Major Area of Study courses.

• Infant and Toddler Development: 3 hrs.
• Child Development: 3 hrs.
• Assessment of Young Children: 3 hrs.
• Developmental Disabilities in Early Childhood: 3 hrs.
• Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences: 3 hrs.
• Personal Development and Interpersonal Relationship: 3 hrs.
• Introduction to Child and Family Studies: 3 hrs.
• Careers and Professional Development in Family Sciences: 3 hrs.
• Children, Families, and Technology: 3 hrs.
• Marital and Family Relationships: 3 hrs.
• Families and Adolescents: 3 hrs.
• Family Life Education: 3 hrs.
• Family Life Education for Practitioners: 3 hrs.
• Families in Crisis: 3 hrs.
• Personal and Family Financial Management: 3 hrs.
• Sexuality in the Family System: 3 hrs.
• Parenthood: 3 hrs.
• The Family in Later Life: 3 hrs.
• Family Theories: 3 hrs.
• Contemporary Issues Affecting the Quality of Life (Capstone): 3 hrs.
• Practicum: 3 hrs.

Additional Requirements

Minimum grade of C required in all courses.

• General Psychology: 3 hrs.
• Principles and Processes of Case Management: 3 hrs.
• Psychological Perspectives in Adult Mental Health: 3 hrs.
• Select 1 course:
  • Drugs and the Whole Person: 3 hrs.
  • Drugs And Behavior: 3 hrs.

Directed Electives

Twelve hours of coursework in the 200, 300, or 400 level from the following subject areas: CD or CJ or FAM or LIS or PSY or SPE.

Admission Requirements

• Application for Undergraduate Admission
• $45 non-refundable application fee
• An official high school transcript for freshman (high school) applicants OR official transcripts from institutions attended after high school for transfer applicants
• Submission of ACT or SAT scores for freshman (high school) applicants

Academic Policies and Requirements for Programs

• Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to transfer into programs offered in the School of Human Development and Family Science.
• Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses required for the major area of study and any courses substituted for major courses in order to graduate.
• See University Academic Policies and Requirements

Accelerated Master's Option (AMO)

Early Childhood and Family Science BS to Human Development and Family Science MS (All fully online)