Family Sciences Schools and Programs in The United States

Family Sciences Studies in The United States

Family science studies how people develop across the lifespan and how families, close relationships and communities shape that development. In the United States the field usually appears under names such as Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) or Human Development and Family Sciences, and it is taught at four-year universities, typically within a college of health, human sciences or human ecology. It combines psychology, sociology and education with practical work in the community.

How the degree is organised

Undergraduate study leads to a bachelor's degree, which according to EducationUSA is usually completed in four years of full-time study. Degree titles differ from one university to another. Texas Tech University offers a B.S. in Human Development & Family Sciences; Purdue University's Department of Human Development and Family Science has majors such as Developmental and Family Science and Human Services; and Oregon State University's undergraduate programme has a Child Development option and a Human Services option.

Course content generally covers development from infancy to old age, family dynamics, parenting and relationships. At Texas Tech, areas of study include lifespan human development, the dynamics of family interactions, adolescent development, gerontology, parenting and cross-cultural perspectives, and undergraduates complete 90 to 150 hours of community practicum.

At graduate level, EducationUSA describes the master's as a two-year degree providing additional specialisation and the doctorate as a five- to eight-year programme. Texas Tech offers an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Sciences, and the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a PhD in Human Development & Family Studies.

Credentials and licensing

Some programmes help students prepare for professional credentials: Purdue lists the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential among its additional certifications. Clinical work is a separate path. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), marriage and family therapists typically need a master's degree, and every state requires therapists to be licensed.

Admission and language

EducationUSA states that undergraduate applicants generally must have completed high school and be at least 17 years old, and that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Applications for a September start are typically due between November and January, so the search should begin 12 to 18 months before the academic year.

To study on an F student visa, students must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). EducationUSA notes that an SEVP-certified institution may not hold national or regional accreditation, so accreditation is worth checking separately.

Where to study family sciences in the United States

The schools listed on this page are spread across the country rather than concentrated in one region. They include large public research universities such as The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in University Park, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Oregon State University in Corvallis and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, as well as private universities such as Abilene Christian University, DeSales University and Saint Louis University. Penn State's Department of Human Development and Family Studies lists research areas in family development, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood and aging. Oregon State offers its programme at the Corvallis campus, online through Ecampus and at OSU-Cascades. Teaching is in English.

Recognition of the qualification

US higher education is not centrally organised: institutions are accredited at national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies. Students who plan to work outside the United States should check with the authorities of that country how a US bachelor's or master's degree is recognised before enrolling.

Careers

Texas Tech states that its graduates go on to careers in healthcare, social services, education, public policy, public health programmes, non-profit agencies, counselling and parent and family life education, or to graduate study. The BLS projects employment of social and human service assistants to grow 7 percent between 2025 and 2035, and notes that some employers prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree in human services. Employment of marriage and family therapists, which requires a master's degree and a licence, is projected to grow 14 percent over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a family sciences degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. A master's adds about two years, and a doctorate takes five to eight years according to EducationUSA.

Can I become a family therapist with a bachelor's degree in family sciences?

Not directly. According to the BLS, marriage and family therapists typically need a master's degree, and every state requires a licence.

Do I need an English test to apply?

Yes. EducationUSA states that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission; each university sets its own minimum score.

Which visa do I need?

Degree students normally use the F student visa, which requires an offer from an SEVP-certified institution.