Major in Family and Human Services

Requirements
Four-Year Plan of Study
Learning Outcomes

Majors in Family and Human Services complete 64-65 units of course work depending on the track of study the student selects. Students complete 43 units of required courses. For each track, they complete additional track-specific courses and electives. These requirements include a sequence of focused community courses including FMST 297, FMST 387, FMST 397, and FMST 490. The units of internship requirements are specified by each track. Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA or better in all courses required for the major and must meet Towson University requirements for the completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

Prerequisites for Upper Level courses in the major

Course List
Code	Title	Units
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
Select one of the following in basic statistics (must be taken prior to FMST 485):		3
MATH 231	BASIC STATISTICS
MATH 237	ELEMENTARY BIOSTATISTICS
ECON 205	STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS I
FMST 285	STATISTICS FOR FAMILY SCIENCE AND HUMAN SERVICE
PSYC 212	BEHAVIORAL STATISTICS
Total Units		12

Required Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Units
FMST 101	INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES	3
or FMST 102	HONORS INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY STUDIES
FMST 297	PREPARING HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS: PRE-INTERNSHIP	3
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 380	FAMILY LAW	3
FMST 387	COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR FAMILIES	3
FMST 397	INTERNSHIP IN FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES	3
FMST 485	RESEARCH METHODS IN FAMILY STUDIES	3
FMST 490	FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICE CAPSTONE: METHODS IN FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION	4
PSYC 203	HUMAN DEVELOPMENT	3
HLTH 220	SEXUALITY IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY	3
Total Units		43

The 100-level courses should be taken early in the student’s academic studies.

Required for Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector track.

Human Services Track (22 units)

Course List
Code	Title	Units
Required Courses
PSYC 205	INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP	3
FMST 350	FUNDAMENTALS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR	3
or FMST 430	CASE MANAGEMENT FOR FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES
FMST 497	ADVANCED INTERNSHIP IN FAMILY STUDIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT	4
Electives
Electives shall be selected from the following content areas: psychology, sociology, health science, education, gerontology, and women’s studies. Students are encouraged to take a course in small-group dynamics and gerontology. Three elective courses (9 units) must be at the 300 level or above. Minors in Gerontology, Sociology, and Psychology can be completed with minimal or no additional course work. Electives must be approved by a Family Studies adviser or the department chairperson.		12
Total Units		22

Services to Children and Youth Track (21 units)

Course List
Code	Title	Units
Required Courses
ECED 201	EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION	3
FMST 415	SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH	3
Electives
Electives shall be selected from the following content areas: education, psychology, sociology, and health science. Three elective courses (9 units) must be at the 300 level or above. Electives must be approved by a Family Studies adviser or the department chairperson		15
Total Units		21

Introduction to Child Life Track (21 units)

Course List
Code	Title	Units
Required Courses
FMST 240	INTRODUCTION TO CHILD LIFE	3
OCTH 213	SMALL GROUP DYNAMICS	3
or PSYC 431	GROUP DYNAMICS
PSYC 205	INTRODUCTION TO THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP	3
FMST 340	THE HOSPITALIZED CHILD AND FAMILY	3
GERO 367	DEATH, DYING AND BEREAVEMENT	3
Required Child and Adolescent Development Courses
PSYC 403	INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT	3
PSYC 404	ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY	3
Total Units		21

Other Recommended Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Units
FMST 140	MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS	1
ECED 201	EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION	3
ECED 315	INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTION	3
FMST 345	INTRODUCTION TO ART THERAPY	3

Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector Track (10 units)

The requirements for this track include FMST courses and completion of the minor in Business Administration (BUAD) (21 units).

Course List
Code	Title	Units
Required Nonprofit Leadership Courses
FMST 350	FUNDAMENTALS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR	3
FMST 355	FUNDRAISING, FRIENDRAISING AND VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT	3
FMST 497	ADVANCED INTERNSHIP IN FAMILY STUDIES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT	4
Required BUAD Minor
ACCT 201	PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING	3
ACCT 202	PRINCIPLES OF MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING	3
ECON 201	MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES	3
ECON 202	MACROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES	3
FIN 331	PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT	3
MKTG 341	PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING	3
MNGT 361	LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT	3
Total Units		31

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 first concentrated field experience is obtained during FMST 387. This course focuses on service learning through program development. Students participate directly with community organizations and agencies. Internships are the culminating field experience for the Family and Human Services major. The internship experience offers students the opportunity to apply course content, learn new skills, and develop professional contacts.

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.

The curriculum emphasizes civic engagement through service learning. Service learning involves a process of preparation for community experiences, participation in the community, and integration of the academic preparation and community participation. The integration process involves self-reflection as well as self-discovery, including understanding of values, skills, and content. Community participation is required in several courses throughout the curriculum.

Human Services 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	3	SOCI 101	3
PSYC 101 (Core 6)	3	FMST 325 (Core 14)	3
ENGL 102 or 190 (Core 2)	3	Core	3
Core	3	Core	3
Core	3	Core	3
	15		15
Sophomore
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
Basics Statistics Course (Core 3) - Select one of the following:	3-4	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
MATH 231		FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
MATH 237		FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
PSYC 212		Core 7 or 8 - Lab Course	4
PSYC 213		Core	3
ECON 205
FMST 285
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Core	3
Core	3
	15-16		16
Junior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 302	3	FMST 297	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST 387	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Core	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Non-Major Elective	3	Non-Major Elective	3
	15		15
Senior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 397	3	FMST 490	4
FMST 485 (Core 9)	3	FMST 497	4
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement or Elective	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	Non-Major Elective	3
Non-Major Elective	3
	15		14
Total Units 120-121

Services to Children And Youth Track Suggested Four-Year Plan

Freshman
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 101	3	FMST 201 (Core 10)	3
PSYC 101 (Core 6)	3	SOCI 101	3
ENGL 102 (Core 2)	3	Core	3
Core	3	Core	3
Core	3	Core	3
	15		15
Sophomore
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
Basic Statistics Course (Core 3) - Select one of the following:	3-4	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
MATH 231		FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
MATH 237		FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
PSYC 212		Core	3
PSYC 213		Core	3
ECON 205
FMST 285
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Core	3
Core	3
	15-16		15
Junior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 302	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Core	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Non-Major Elective	3	Non-Major Elective	3
	15		15
Senior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 297	3	FMST 397	3
FMST 387	3	FMST 490	4
FMST 485 (Core 9)	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	Non-Major Elective	3
Non-Major Elective	3	Non-Major Elective	3
	15		16
Total Units 121-122

Introduction to Child Life Suggested Four-Year Plan

Freshman
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 101	3	FMST 201 (Core 10)	3
PSYC 101 (Core 6)	3	SOCI 101	3
ENGL 102 (Core 2)	3	Core	3
Core	3	Core	3
Core	3	Core	3
	15		15
Sophomore
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
Basic Statistics Course (Core 3) - Select one of the following:	3-4	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
MATH 231		FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
MATH 237		FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
PSYC 212		Core	3
PSYC 213		Core	3
ECON 205
FMST 285
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Core	3
Core	3
	15-16		15
Junior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 302	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Core	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Non-Major Elective	3	Non-Major Elective	3
	15		15
Senior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 297	3	FMST 397	3
FMST 387	3	FMST 490	4
FMST 485 (Core 9)	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	Non-Major Elective	3
Non-Major Elective	3	Non-Major Elective	3
	15		16
Total Units 121-122

Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector Track With Business Administration Minor Suggested Four-Year Plan

Freshman
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 101	3	FMST 201 (Core 10)	3
PSYC 101 (Core 6)	3	SOCI 101	3
ENGL 102 (Core 2)	3	BUAD Minor Course	3
Core	3	Core	3
Core	3	Core	3
	15		15
Sophomore
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
ECON 205	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	BUAD Minor Course	3
BUAD Minor Course	3	Core 7 or 8 - Lab Course	4
Core	3	Core	3
	15		16
Junior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 302	3	FMST 297	3
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST 387	3
BUAD Minor Course	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
Core	3	BUAD Minor Course	3
Core	3	Core	3
	15		15
Senior
Term 1	Units	Term 2	Units
FMST 397	3	FMST 490	4
FMST 485 (Core 9)	3	FMST 497	4
FMST Major or Track Requirement	3	FMST Major or Track Requirement	3
BUAD Minor Course	3	Non-Major Elective	3
BUAD Minor Course	3
	15		14
Total Units 120

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.