Major in Family and Human Services

The Family and Human Services major requires 12-13 units of prerequisite courses and 45-46 units in the major. 

Prerequisites for Upper-Level Major Courses
ENGL 102WRITING FOR A LIBERAL EDUCATION3
or ENGL 190 HONORS WRITING SEMINAR
PSYC 101INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY3
SOCI 101INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY3
Basic Statistics Requirement
Select one of the following: 3-4
BASIC STATISTICS
ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS
STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS I
STATISTICS FOR FAMILY SCIENCE AND HUMAN SERVICE
BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS
SOCIAL STATISTICS
Total Units12-13
Foundational Family Studies Courses
FMST 101INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES3
or FMST 102 HONORS INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES
FMST 301FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS3
FMST 302FAMILY THEORIES3
FMST 303CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN FAMILY POLICY3
FMST 305PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN3
FMST 325ETHICS IN HUMAN SERVICES3
FMST 485RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY STUDIES3
Human Development
PSYC 203HUMAN DEVELOPMENT3
Select one from the following:3
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION
INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION
DEATH, DYING AND BEREAVEMENT
INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
MIDLIFE DEVELOPMENT
Diversity
Select one from the following:3
FAMILIES IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
FAMILY HEALTH ISSUES
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER FAMILIES
AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES
DIVERSITY, CULTURE, AND TEAM DYNAMICS
CASE MANAGEMENT FOR FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES
JEWISH FAMILIES UNDER NAZI RULE AND BEYOND
Advanced Methods
FMST 490FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION METHODOLOGY3
or FMST 495 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY SCIENCE
Experiential Component
Select one of the following sequences:6
PREPARING HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS: PRE-INTERNSHIP
INTERNSHIP IN FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES
Nonprofit and Community Services
INTRODUCTION TO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR
COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR FAMILIES
Electives
Select any two upper-level Family Studies and Community Development (FMST) courses not already used to fulfill a requirement6-7
Total Units45-46

Students who choose the Family and Human Services major also have the option to declare the Introduction to Child Life track. The optional track is intended for students who are interested in pursuing a career in child life. Additional information and requirements for the track can be found on the Introduction to Child Life track page in this catalog. 

Community Experience

Civic Engagement/Service Learning

Internships and service learning are critical components of the Family and Human Services major. A continuum of field experiences offered throughout the program provides opportunities for students to enhance their understanding of course content, develop professional skills, and apply knowledge in the field.

The Department of Family Studies and Community Development offers a choice of two experiential components within the Family and Human Services major. The first option is FMST 250 paired with FMST 387. FMST 387 focuses on service learning through program development. Students participate directly with community organizations and agencies. 

The second option is FMST 297 paired with FMST 397. In FMST 397Family and Human Services interns work in a variety of settings depending on their interests. Internships occur in off-campus public and private agencies, including but not limited to, preschools, day-care centers for children or adults, child abuse and domestic violence centers, family support centers, agencies for the disabled, and various mental health and health care facilities. 

Family & Human Services Major Suggested Four-Year Plan

Based on course availability and student needs and preferences, the selected sequences will probably vary from those presented below. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
FMST 101 or 1023FMST 325 (Core 14)3
PSYC 101 (Core 6)3SOCI 1013
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 33Core 53
Core 43Core 103
 15 15
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Basics Statistics Course13-4Human Development Course3
PSYC 2033Core 83-4
Core 74Core 123
Core 113Core 133
Elective3Elective3
 16-17 15-16
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
FMST 3023FMST 3013
FMST 3053FMST 3033
FMST Diversity Course3FMST UL Elective 3-4
FMST UL Elective3-4Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15-16 15-16
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
FMST 250 or 2973FMST 490 or 4953
FMST 485 (Core 9)3FMST 387 or 3973
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Total Units 121-125
1

Must be taken prior to FMST 485.

  1. Students will demonstrate competency in written communication and oral communication.
  2. Students will use knowledge acquired in family studies and human services courses in field experiences (community service and internship placements) and capstone courses.
  3. Students will demonstrate comprehensive research skills related to the discipline. Students will demonstrate informational literacy and technological competency.