The Family Studies major prepares students to use preventative and educational approaches in a variety of settings to strengthen individual and family well-being across the life span. Students explore relationships among individuals, families and their environment and culture with the goal of improving quality of life within communities and society at large.

The Family Studies major provides skills and knowledge to enrich individual and family life. It includes knowledge about how families work, the interrelationship of families and society, human growth and development throughout the lifespan, parent education, human sexuality, family resource management, the effects of policy and legislation on families, ethical considerations in professional conduct, and a solid understanding and knowledge of how to teach and /or develop curriculum for what are often sensitive and personal issues.

Graduates of the program are eligible to be granted provisional status as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) by the National Council on Family Relations. Recent graduates hold positions such as sexuality educators, caseworkers, family court workers, substance abuse assessment specialists, and volunteer and activity directors in state government, community programs and public and private agencies.

There are three formats available to complete this major: on-campus (completed in-class at the main campus), online/hybrid (completed primarily online with periodic, required, on-campus sessions), and online (courses completed online with only two multi-day, on-campus experiences required).