The concentration in family ministry prepares those students who are studying families with the intention to enter into work at faith-based institutions, serve on the mission field, or who just want knowledge for working with families informally in daily life. Courses such as sociology of religion and gender and sexuality bring broad sociological ideas into the family studies curriculum, which will continue to build on critical thinking skills and awareness of forces in family life.
Outcomes and Careers
Students following the family ministry track will be well-suited for work in faith-based institutions or nonprofit organizations. This is a great concentration for the family studies major who desires to pursue seminary. Many students will be interested in serving in missions domestically and abroad. Related fields include education, human services, and graduate education in social work, family law, and psychology.
Courses
Prerequisites—9 hours
- SOC 225 Introduction to Studying Families
- SOC 214 Social Statistics
- PSY 213 Introduction to Psychology
Core—21 hours
- SOC 325 Families Across Cultures
- SOC 333 Parent-Child Relations
- SOC 422 Research Methods
- SOC 425 Strengthening Marriage and Family
- SOC 426 Family Policy and Advocacy
- SOC 430 Theoretical Frameworks for Studying Families
- SOC 411 Internship or 498 Senior Capstone Seminar
Interdisciplinary Component—15 hours
- SW 307 Faith-Based Social Services
- CHR 243 Introduction to Christian Ethics
- COM 235 Interpersonal Communication
- ECO 400 Personal Financial Management
- PSY 219 Developmental Psychology or 324 Child Growth and Development
Family Ministry Concentration—9 hours
- SOC 319 Sociology of Religion
- CHR 271 Youth Ministry Strategies
- SOC 321 Social Gerontology or SOC 370 Gender and Sexuality