Family Life Education Degree
or Blended?
Offered Online?
Classes meet entirely online.
Offered In-Class?
Classes meet face-to-face at our St. Paul campus or other off-campus location.
Offered Blended?
Course work is completed through a combination of in-class and online class meetings.
Overview
A family studies degree gives you insights into family dynamics and behaviors and provides you with a foundation to plan, implement and evaluate strategies designed to promote positive growth and development in individuals and families. You will learn how to facilitate healthy interactions within families to foster positive communication and connections. You will also study individuals’ stages of development – from birth to death – and examine how these stages can affect family dynamics. Professionals in the family education field aim to create positive family environments where everyone benefits from supportive communication.
Students complete coursework to prepare for counseling and research roles that focus on maintaining healthy families. The family studies degree includes courses on parenting, family systems, child growth and development, family communication and relationships.
Concordia University’s online family studies degree program is approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Graduates earn the designation of Certified Family Life Educator.
FAS-200
Intro to Family Life Ed
This course is an introduction to the field of family life education. Students will explore primary theoretical principles using the Life Span Family Life Education framework and professional issues influencing the practice of family life education. Emphasizing key content areas, the students will be introduced to: content area definitions and objectives; examples highlighting the integration of theory and practice in family life education; key resources; and future Issues and challenges for family life educators.
FAS-440
Overview of Contemp Families
FAS-401
Family Systems
This course is an analysis of the family. It investigates the family as a system of relationships which interacts across the family life cycle. It includes a survey of current developments in the study of the family and an analysis of changes in American society and their influence on family life. Also included is a focus on marriage and family therapy from a systems framework.
FAS-442
Family Decision
This course familiarizes the student with an understanding of the decisions individuals make about developing and allocating resources to meet their goals. The focus of the course is on internal dynamics of family decision-making processes and on the goal-directed behaviors of families in improving their quality of life.
FAS-451
Family Comm & Relationships
FAS-453
Intimate Relationships
FAS-446
Methodology in Fam Life Ed
FAS-447
Growth & Dev in Children
FAS-220
Adolescent Development
This course examines developmental characteristics of adolescence from a family systems perspective; covering physiological, emotional, cognitive, parent-child, social, vocational and religious dimensions with application to family life education and ministry.
FAS-448
Development in Adulthood
FAS-443
Parent Education
FAS-444
Family Law Public Policy
This course explores historical development of laws and public policy affecting families. Ethics and ethical implications of social change will be explored. Students will understand the legal definition of the family and laws that affect the status of the family. The course will focus on the role of the family life educator as an advocate for the well being of the family. The formation of social values, respect for the diversity of values, and the social consequences of value choices are discussed within a family life education framework.
FAS-490
Portfolio and Synthesis
Requirements
1. Apply Online
2. Final and official transcripts from all previous institutions attended
* If you have attended a MNSCU college or university we also ask that you provide an official accompanying DARS or MnTC goal area worksheet. Concordia accepts completed goal areas.
* If you have less than 20 college credits completed, you will need to submit your official high school transcript as well as any college level courses you have taken.
3. Submit a typed personal statement that answers the questions listed below. Completed statements should be labeled with your name, academic program, and your contact information and submitted via mail, email or fax. Each question should be answered in a minimum of 300 words (1 page).
What has led you to pursue your undergraduate degree?
What are your long term personal and professional goals?
4. Applicants of the BA-Family Life Education must be a practitioner in their field through work or volunteerism and should demonstrate this involvement on their resume.
Technology Requirements
Students enrolling in an adult undergraduate program must have access to a computer that meets Concordia University's technology requirements. Contact Concordia's Help Desk at helpdesk@csp.edu or 651-641-8866 with any questions regarding these requirements.
Start Dates
Fall 2013 Term
Start Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Delivery: Online
Class Day: Tuesday
Chat Time: 6-6:45 p.m. CST
Spring 2014 Term
Start Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Delivery: Online
Class Day: Tuesday
Chat Time: 7-7:45 p.m. CST