Department of Family Sciences

Improving child, adolescent, couple, and family well-being in Kentucky, the nation, and the world through evidence-based education, cutting-edge research, and community engagement.

Bachelor's Programs

Family Sciences

Our classes emphasize the integration of individual development, family development, and family economics and management.  Courses focus on developmental theory, lifespan human development, family system dynamics, family intervention, family economics and management, consumer economics, and management of resources.

Academic Coordinator: Pam McFarland

Family Financial Counseling

This program empowers students to address consumer and financial issues that impact family economic well-being. Through coursework, hands-on experiences, and internship placements, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of financial literacy, money management, consumer behavior, and financial counseling practices.

Program Director: Bruce Ross, Ph.D.

Master's Programs

Family Sciences

Our master’s program offers an integrative approach to learning about improving individual, family, and community well-being through four emphasis areas: adolescent development, couple and family therapy, family finance and economics, and family processes.  The program prepares students for professional employment and provides an excellent foundation for doctoral studies.

Program Director: Hyungsoo Kim, Ph.D.

Couple and Family Therapy

The couple and family therapy emphasis area within our master’s program is designed to educate and train knowledgeable, competent, and ethical practitioners who can treat a broad spectrum of individuals and families using evidence-based teachniques.

Program Director: Nate Wood, Ph.D.

Doctoral Program

Family Sciences

Our doctoral program offers a strong foundation in theory, research methods, statistics, and college-level teaching. Emphasis areas include adolescent development, family finance and economics, and family processes.

Program Director: Hyungsoo Kim, Ph.D.

  

 Located in Funkhouser Building (3rd floor)

Located in Funkhouser Building (3rd floor)

Certificate Programs


Child Life

The Child Life Certificate prepares students for employment as child life specialists, who work to reduce the negative impact of stressful or traumatic life events and situations that affect the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, youth, and families.

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Family Financial Therapy

The Family Financial Therapy Certificate is designed to prepare mental-health clinicians to address issues related to money, including past financial trauma, financial abuse, improving communication around money between spouses, and much more.

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Play Therapy

Play therapy has a long tradition as a key therapeutic technique, especially with children. The Play Therapy Certificate is designed to provide mental health professionals with foundational knowledge about the role of play as a therapeutic technique.

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