西密歇根大學

If you desire a position in a public or private human service organization or program related to children, families and individuals, you should consider majoring in interdisciplinary family studies at Western Michigan University. Recent graduates hold positions with Healthy Families, Planned Parenthood, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Senior Services and other nonprofit organizations, as well as in state government, family courts, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers and preschools.

The child and family development program offers flexibility, allowing you to complete the coursework for your major in person at the main Kalamazoo campus, online, or a hybrid mix of in person and online. This is not a teachable major.

As a family studies student at WMU, you will study:

How families work.
The inter-relationship of families and society.
Human growth and development across the life span.
The physiological and psychological aspects of human sexuality.
The impact of resource management on daily life.
The importance and value of education for parenting.
The effect of policy and legislation on families.
Ethical considerations in professional conduct.
How to teach and develop curriculum for varied settings.

Beyond the classroom

If you decide to major in family studies at WMU, you will extend your academic work with on-the-job training in a child care, human service or nonprofit organization. You will independently locate a site that fits with your long-term career goals, and your program will be supervised by WMU faculty in cooperation with management personnel in the field.

The Family Studies student organization provides opportunities for you to interact with peers, hone leadership skills and serve the community. During meetings and service projects, you will network and learn about career paths and job opportunities.

Recent WMU graduates with degrees in family studies are working as:

Activities directors
Executives and directors
Extension agents
Family assistance specialists
Family educators
Family life educators
Family service field associates
Home visitors
Juvenile court workers
Military child and youth specialists
Parent educators
Parent involvement specialists
Program or service facilitators
Senior services coordinators
Substance abuse assessment specialists
Volunteer directors

Among the organizations they work for are:

Administration on Children, Youth and Families
Adoption and foster care agencies
Community health centers
Correctional facilities
Courts
Even Start, Head Start and Early On programs
Faith and religious organizations
Military family support programs
Nonprofit organizations
Nursing homes
Preschools
Rehabilitation centers
Scout and youth organizations
State and federal government