Family Science BS
Earn your online Family Science BS degree at Southern Miss!
Program-at-a-Glance (Undergraduate)
Credit Hours:
Total Hours: 120
Major Area of Study: 61
Additional Requirements: 9-12
Cost per Credit Hour:
$433.59
Learn more about this program:
The Family Science Bachelor’s of Science degree from The University of Southern Mississippi will help you turn your interest in promoting healthy development within families and a better quality of life for children into a rewarding career! The fully online bachelor’s degree in Family Science at Southern Miss prepares you to support families, advocate for change, and lead programs that uplift communities. This program prepares you to work directly with individuals and families in every stage of life and promotes family well-being through evidence-based strategies and systems thinking.
Family Sciences majors learn how to examine the systemic relationships among individuals, families, and communities. All students take courses in individual and family development across the life cycle, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics, and parent-child interactions. Students then take courses specific to the chosen emphasis area.
Family Science courses:
- Family Systems Theory
- Parenthood
- Marital and Family Relationships
- Families in Crisis
- Sexuality in the Family Systems
- Family life education
- Family support services
- Public policy
- Children, Families, and Technology
Looking for a graduate degree? Check out our fully online Child and Family Sciences MS here! Want even more info? Our enrollment coaches are standing by. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college.
Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now! The School of Human Development and Family Science has 14 school-specific scholarships available for students each year. All university scholarship opportunities can be found at: www.usmfoundation.com.
This degree program was formerly Child and Family Sciences (Family Sciences) BS.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A Family Science DEGREE?
A Family Science bachelor’s degree is ideal for those wanting a career in a field related to social services, parent education, or the operation of non-profit agencies.
We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
We’ll call you soon! In the meantime, learn more about us from our blog or start your application.
General Education Curriculum
Written Communication
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Composition One
|
3 hrs. |
|
Composition Two
|
3 hrs. |
Natural Science
Select 2 courses with labs:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
General Astronomy I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Astronomy II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Biology and Society
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Chemistry and Our Environment
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Chemistry I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biochemistry
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Weather and Climate
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Land and Water
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Physical Geology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Historical Geology
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Ocean Science
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I with Calculus
*
|
4 hrs. |
|
General Physics II with Calculus
*
|
4 hrs. |
|
Living in a Material World
*
|
3 hrs. |
Humanities
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Literature
|
3 hrs. |
Select 2 courses, 1 History required:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilizations: 1500 to the present
|
3 hrs. |
|
Colloquium on the Pre-Modern World
|
3 hrs. |
|
Colloquium on the Modern World
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Philosophy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethic and Good Living
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative Religion
|
3 hrs. |
Aesthetic Values
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Art Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
Dance Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Enjoyment of Music
|
3 hrs. |
|
Theatre Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective of Human Diversity
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Cultural & Linguistic Anthropology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Basic Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
Concepts of Wellness
|
3 hrs. |
|
American Government
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Language
|
3 hrs. |
Mathematics
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
3 hrs. |
|
College Algebra
|
3 hrs. |
|
High-level MAT course
|
3 hrs. |
|
ACT Math sub score of 24 or higher
|
|
|
SAT Math score of 560 or higher
|
|
Writing-Intensive Requirement
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Family Life Education
|
3 hrs. |
ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites
Speaking-Intensive Requirement
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Public Speaking
|
3 hrs. |
|
Small-Group Communication
|
3 hrs. |
Capstone Requirement
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Contemporary Issues Affecting the Quality of Life
|
3 hrs. |
Program Curriculum
Major Area of Study Requirements
Minimum grade of “C” required in all Major Area of Study courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Infant and Toddler Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Child Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Assessment of Young Children
|
3 hrs. |
|
Developmental Disabilities in Early Childhood
|
3 hrs. |
|
Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
|
Personal Development and Interpersonal Relationship
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Child and Family Studies
|
3 hrs. |
|
Careers and Professional Development in Family Sciences
|
3 hrs. |
|
Children, Families, and Technology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Marital and Family Relationships
|
3 hrs. |
|
Families and Adolescents
|
3 hrs. |
|
Family Life Education
|
3 hrs. |
|
Family Life Education for Practitioners
|
3 hrs. |
|
Families in Crisis
|
3 hrs. |
|
Personal and Family Financial Management
|
3 hrs. |
|
Sexuality in the Family System
|
3 hrs. |
|
Parenthood
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Family in Later Life
|
3 hrs. |
|
Family Theories
|
3 hrs. |
|
Contemporary Issues Affecting the Quality of Life (Capstone)
|
3 hrs. |
|
Practicum
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Requirements
Minimum grade of C required in all courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles and Processes of Case Management
|
3 hrs. |
|
Psychological Perspectives in Adult Mental Health
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Drugs and the Whole Person
|
3 hrs. |
|
Drugs And Behavior
|
3 hrs. |
Directed Electives
Twelve hours of coursework in the 200, 300, or 400 level from the following subject areas: CD or CJ or FAM or LIS or PSY or SPE.
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Family Sciences degree is ideal for those wanting a career in a field related to social services, parent education, or the operation of non-profit agencies.
Yes, the Council for Accreditation of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences accredits the undergraduate program in the School of Human Development and Family Science.
120 hours are needed to graduate with a BS in Family Science. Of the total hours applied to this degree, 30 hours must be in courses numbered at the 300 level or above. The student must earn at least 21 of the last 30 hours of coursework and at least 12 hours in the major area of study from Southern Miss. See Residence Hour Requirements for more information.
Yes, there are fees around $75 for the online Family Science degree.
Visit the site for more information: http://www.usm.edu/financial-aid
If you have questions about tuition, transfer credits or anything else about the university, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!
Admission Requirements
The following is required from all undergraduate applicants:
- Application for Undergraduate Admission
- $45 non-refundable application fee
- An official high school transcript for freshman (high school) applicants OR official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school for transfer applicants
- Submission of ACT or SAT scores for freshman (high school) applicants
Students should be mindful of admission deadlines. For a full list of admission requirements, see the University Admission Policies.
Academic Policies and Requirements for Programs:
- Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to transfer into programs offered in the School of Human Development and Family Science.
- Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses required for the major area of study (DEG 01 and DEG 02) and any courses substituted for major courses in order to graduate.
- See University Academic Policies and Requirements
Accelerated master’s option (AMO)
Early Childhood and Family Science BS to Human Development and Family Science MS (All fully online)
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
Apply Now!