Mission and goals

The Department of Family Social Science’s mission is to enhance the well-being of diverse families in a changing world through teaching, research, and outreach. This understanding can ultimately lead to the development of strong families and to the enhancement of family functioning for future generations. The mission of Family Social Science is implemented through the interdependent activities of teaching, research, and outreach.

The goals of graduate education in Family Social Science involve assisting students in (a) integrating family theory, research, and practice; (b) producing family research; (c) developing teaching scholarship; and (d) demonstrating competencies in substantive areas of family social science.

Students receiving graduate degrees in Family Social Science are expected to have a broad knowledge of family science, to be able to engage in independent research related to families, and to be specialized in areas of application to human problems and issues for families and society.

To meet these goals, students are encouraged to seek opportunities in: