Major in Family and Human Services
The Family and Human Services major has 12-13 units of required prerequisite courses and 45-47 required units in the major. Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA in all courses required for the major. Students may choose to complete an optional Introduction to Child Life track.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites for Upper-Level Major Courses | ||
| ENGL 102 | WRITING FOR A LIBERAL EDUCATION | 3 |
| or ENGL 190 | HONORS WRITING SEMINAR | |
| PSYC 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 3 |
| 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 Units | 12-13 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Family Studies Courses | ||
| FMST 101 | INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES | 3 |
| or FMST 102 | HONORS INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES | |
| FMST 301 | FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS | 3 |
| FMST 302 | FAMILY THEORIES | 3 |
| FMST 303 | CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN FAMILY POLICY | 3 |
| FMST 305 | PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| FMST 325 | ETHICS IN HUMAN SERVICES | 3 |
| FMST 485 | RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY STUDIES | 3 |
| Human Development | ||
| PSYC 203 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| Advanced Methods | ||
| FMST 490 | FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION METHODOLOGY | 3-4 |
| or FMST 495 | ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY SCIENCE | |
| Experiential Component | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 6 | |
Internship (must have 2.5 minimum GPA in required major coursework) | ||
| 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 requirement | 6-7 | |
| Total Units | 45-47 | |
Introduction to Child Life Track (Optional)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| FMST 140 | MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS | 1 |
| FMST 240 | INTRODUCTION TO CHILD LIFE | 3 |
| FMST 340 | THE HOSPITALIZED CHILD AND FAMILY 1 | 3 |
| FMST 360 | DIVERSITY, CULTURE, AND TEAM DYNAMICS 1 | 3 |
| GERO 367 | DEATH, DYING AND BEREAVEMENT 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 205 | INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP | 3 |
| Required Child and Adolescent Development Courses | ||
| PSYC 403 | INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 404 | ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY 1 | 3 |
| Total Units | 22 | |
Other Recommended Courses for the Introduction to Child Life Track
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 201 | EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION | 3 |
| ECED 315 | INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION | 3 |
| FMST 345 | INTRODUCTION TO ART THERAPY | 3 |
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In addition to fulfilling track requirements, these courses may also be used to fulfill the Human Development, Diversity, and/or Electives requirements in the major. Please consult the Department of Family Studies and Human Development with any questions.
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 397, Family 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. Examples of recent student placements include: Adoptions Together, Art with a Heart, Ashland Preschool Center, Boys and Girls Club of Metro Baltimore, The Family Tree, Jemicy School, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Law Office of Carl Gold, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, National Family Resiliency Center, Rose of Sharon Equestrian School, University of Maryland Hospital for Children, Young Parent Support Center.
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 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| FMST 101 or 102 | 3 | FMST 325 (Core 14) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 (Core 6) | 3 | SOCI 101 | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 3 | 3 | Core 5 | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Basics Statistics Course1 | 3-4 | Human Development Course | 3 |
| PSYC 203 | 3 | Core 8 | 3-4 |
| Core 7 | 4 | Core 12 | 3 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Core 13 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16-17 | 12-13 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| FMST 302 | 3 | FMST 301 | 3 |
| FMST 305 | 3 | FMST 303 | 3 |
| FMST Diversity Course | 3 | FMST UL Elective | 3-4 |
| FMST UL Elective | 3-4 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| FMST 250 or 297 | 3 | FMST 490 or 495 | 4 |
| FMST 485 (Core 9) | 3 | FMST 387 or 397 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Units 119-123 | |||
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Must be taken prior to FMST 485.
Introduction to Child Life Track 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 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| FMST 101 or 102 | 3 | FMST 325 (Core 14) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 (Core 6) | 3 | SOCI 101 | 3 |
| Core 1 (or Core 2) | 3 | Core 2 (or Core 1) | 3 |
| Core 3 | 3 | Core 5 | 3 |
| Core 4 | 3 | Core 10 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| Basic Statistics Course 1 | 3-4 | FMST 240 | 3 |
| FMST 140 | 1 | FMST 360 (Core 13) | 3 |
| PSYC 203 | 3 | PSYC 205 | 3 |
| Core 7 | 4 | Core 8 | 3-4 |
| Core 11 | 3 | Core 12 | 3 |
| 14-15 | 15-16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| FMST 302 | 3 | FMST 297 | 3 |
| FMST 305 | 3 | FMST 301 | 3 |
| FMST Diversity Course | 3 | FMST 303 | 3 |
| FMST UL Elective | 3-4 | FMST 485 (Core 9) | 3 |
| Human Development Course | 3 | PSYC 403 | 3 |
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Term 1 | Units | Term 2 | Units |
| FMST 397 | 3 | FMST 490 | 4 |
| FMST 340 | 3 | PSYC 404 | 3 |
| FMST UL Elective | 3-4 | Elective | 3 |
| GERO 367 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15-16 | 16 | ||
| Total Units 120-124 | |||
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Must be taken prior to FMST 485.
- Students will demonstrate competency in written communication and oral communication.
- Students will use knowledge acquired in family studies and human services courses in field experiences (community service and internship placements) and capstone courses.
- Students will demonstrate comprehensive research skills related to the discipline. Students will demonstrate informational literacy and technological competency.