Child & Family Studies: Family Studies Degree

Degree: BS Mode of study: On-Campus Location: Main Campus Location: Online
Degree Type
Bachelor's Degree
Program Type
Undergraduate
Location
Main Campus - Cape
College
Education, Health & Human Studies
Department
Child & Family Studies
Careers
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Family Studies degree students sit at a table with seniors at the Hoover Center.

Prepare for a career that focuses on families or family members at all stages of life in social service, government, and education. You’ll do that here.

Southeast’s family studies program integrates theory, research, and practice to develop interpersonal skills and professional practice. It is an approved Certified Family Life Educator program. The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) oversees our program, which includes coursework that follows the standards and criteria needed for students to become Provisional Certified Family Life Educators. For more information, visit the NCFR website.

What You’ll Do      

  • Gain an in-depth understanding of family structures, dynamics, and interactions along with developmental issues across the lifespan. 
  • Develop skills in assessing, creating, and implementing interventions to improve family interactions. 
  • Be trained to work with a wide variety of populations and gain real world experience at agencies that serve children, seniors, and developmentally disabled adults. 
  • During the final year of the Family Studies program, majors complete a Family Service Internship, which is the capstone of integrated study. 

What Can You Do with a Family Studies Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Aging Matters Agencies
  • Big Brothers/Sisters Program
  • Councils on Aging
  • Crisis Center
  • ChildCare Facility
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
  • Department of Family Services
  • Department of Mental Health
  • Department of Health and Senior Services
  • Disability Programs
  • Domestic Violence Shelters
  • HeadStart Family Services
  • Mental Health Centers
  • Military Family Support Centers
  • Non-profit organizations, i.e. United Way
  • Parent Education Programs
  • Pregnancy Centers / Teen Pregnancy Services
  • Retirement Homes / Assisted Living Facilities
  • Youth Development / Mentoring

Graduate Degree Options with a Family Studies Degree

The Family Studies program provides a solid foundation forpursuing a graduate degree in:

  • Child and Family Law
  • Child Development
  • Family Studies
  • Gerontology
  • Gender Studies
  • Lifespan / Human Development
  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Medical Family Therapy
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Social Work
  • School Counseling

Child & Family Studies: Family Studies Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

View the Degree Map

Outcomes & Careers 

  • $77k

    Social and Community Service Manager

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a social and community service manager is $77,030. 


  • $58k

    Marriage and Relationship Therapist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a marriage and relationship therapist is $58,510.  

     


What You'll Study

Degree Map

As child and family studies: family studies major, you’ll learn about a wide range of family structures, dynamics and functions with an emphasis on the development of interpersonal skills and professional practice. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, the General Education program, and 39 senior division hours (300-599).

Required Courses:

  • CF102 Relationships in the 21st Century (3) 
  • CF120 The Child: Development from Conception to Adolescence (3) 
  • CF206 Adult Development and Aging (3) 
  • CF207 Gerontology Practicum I (3) 
  • CF209 Introduction to Family Theories (3) 
  • CF213 Family and Community Resources (3) 
  • CF220 Emerging Adulthood (3) 
  • CF340 Family Policy Law and Advocacy (3) 
  • CF360 Family Life Education (3) 
  • CF402 Relationships of Commitment (3) 
  • CF405 Family Life Education Practicum (3) 
  • CF410 Culture, Ethnicity, and the Child (3) 
  • CF430 Parent-Child Interaction (3) 
  • CF445 Social Perspectives of Sexuality (3) 
  • CF485 Family Studies Senior Seminar (3) 
  • CF520 Professional Ethics and Practice (3) 
  • CF565 Family Service Internship (3) 
  • ED535 The Trauma-Informed Professional (3) 
  • FE200 Family Resource Management (3) 
Choose 3 Hours:
  • CF303 Introduction to Gender (3)
  • UI455 Understanding Men/Male Develop (3)

Pre-Counseling Track (Optional)

Completing the pre-counseling track will fulfill the minor requirement.

  • CF209 Introduction to Family Theories (3) 
  • CF402 Relationships of Commitment (3) 
  • CF430 Parent-Child Interaction (3) 
  • CF520 Professional Ethics and Practice (3) 
  • ED535 The Trauma-Informed Professional (3) 
  • PY101 Introduction to Psychology (3) 
  • PY440 Abnormal Psychology (3) 
  • PY441 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3) 
  • PY442 Psychotherapy (3) 
  • PY444 Childhood Psychopathology (3) 
  • PY495 Internship in Psychology (3) 

    OR 
  • CF565 Family Service Internship (3) 

Department State Licensed Centers

The Family Studies program oversees three community outreach programs that provide students with hands-on learning experiences working with various populations.

  • Horizon’s Enrichment Center for Developmentally Disabled Adults

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year     

Fall Semester (13 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1)  
  • EN100 (3)  
  • CF102 (3)  
  • General Education (3)  
  • General Education (3)        
Spring Semester (15 Hours)       
  • CF120 (3)  
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average  

Sophomore Year     

Fall Semester (15 Hours)    
  • CF209 (3)  
  • CF360 (3)   
  • FE200 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)       
  • CF206 (3) 
  • CF220 (3) 
  • CF303 or UI455 (3)  
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor Course (3)  

Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average  

Junior Year     

Fall Semester (15 Hours)       
  • CF213 (3)
  • CF402 (3)  
  • CF410 (3)   
  • Minor Course (3) 
  • Minor Course (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)       
  • CF207 (3)  
  • CF340 (3)  
  • CF430 (3) 
  • Minor Course (3) 
  • Minor Course (3) 

Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average  

Senior Year     

Fall Semester (17 Hours)         
  • CF405 (3)  
  • CF445(3)
  • ED535 (2)
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor Course (3) 
  • Minor Course (3)  
Spring Semester (15 Hours)    
  • CF485 (3)  
  • CF520 (3) 
  • CF565 (3)   
  • Elective (6)  

Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

What will it cost?

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Explore The Department of Child and Family Studies

Get a glimpse into the classrooms and hands-on learning of our Southeast Missouri State University child & family studies students.
  • A semo student coloring with a little girl.
  • A student squats down to show something on their phone to an individual at the Hoover Center.
  •    A Child and Family Studies student interacts with individuals at a table at the Hoover Center.
  •  A Child and Family Studies student working at the University School for Young Children sits with a child.

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Child & Family Studies
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Phone
(573) 651-2109
Location
Office Location
Scully Building 114
Mailing Location
One University Plaza, MS 5750
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

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