Advisor: Terrence Fernsler
Phone: (540) 568-6980
Email: fernslts@jmu.edu
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/socwork/familystudies.html
The minor in family studies is designed for undergraduates seeking enhancement of their major, desiring to increase understanding of self and relationships, and seeking to make a positive contribution to society. The minor offers two focuses: Family ecology (FECO) and gerontology (GERO). Both focuses explore a range of family issues, family processes, policies, laws, services and the interrelationship of families and society. The minor will enhance majors in many fields including anthropology, early and middle education, health sciences, management, nursing, psychology, social work and sociology.
The family studies minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours, with no more than six credit hours coming from the student’s major area (for example, SOWK majors cannot apply more than six credits of SOWK courses toward the minor). Note that some courses have prerequisites that must be completed before enrollment. Some courses may be restricted to students enrolled in particular majors.
One introductory course is required: either FAM 133 or SOCI 374 .
For FECO focus students, six other credit hours are required and must be selected from these areas: Development and Family Processes, and Social and System Impacts on Families. Six additional credits may be selected from these two areas or from approved electives.
For GERO focus students, nine additional credits of core required courses and three credits from approved electives must be completed.
Each focus requires completion of a linked three credit capstone experience: For FECO: FAM 400 and FAM 401 ; for GERO: FAM 400 and IPE 313—002.
