Family Studies Undergraduate FAQs

Family Studies involves the discovery, verification, and application of knowledge about children, adolescents, adults, and families.  It is grounded in systems thinking, conceives of the individual developing within the family system, and recognizes the interrelationships among family members and their environments.  Family Studies scholars consider societal issues, including economics, education, public policy, parenting, advocacy, and sexuality. From the perspectives of the developing individuals and their families, and believe that social problems are best addressed using a model that considers the individual and the family as part of larger systems. Family Studies professionals conduct research, provide educational and therapeutic services, and implement intervention programs.

Sociology looks at the human condition in a more global context, studying social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts.

Social work focuses on intervention, using social theory and research methods to study and improve the lives of people, groups, and societies. It incorporates and uses other social sciences as a means to improve the human condition and positively change society's response to chronic problems.

Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behavior.  While Psychology often includes subjects covered in Family Studies, such as human development and human sexuality, it focuses on the individual.  Psychologists observe and record how people and other animals relate to one another and to the environment. They look for patterns that will help them understand and predict behavior, and they use scientific methods to test their ideas.

If you are entering UNH as a freshman, you should declare Family Studies as your major on your application.

If you are already enrolled at UNH but are undeclared or currently majoring in another area, the department accepts applications to transfer in to the major twice a year, in the spring and in the fall.   Applications submitted in the spring are due no later than March 1st, while applications submitted in the fall are due no later than October 1st.  The Application for Transfer into Family Studies is available on the Family Studies Forms page.

If you are enrolled at another university or in the UNH Thompson School of Applied Science or Division of Continuing Education associate degree programs, you should apply for transfer admission as a Family Studies major through the Office of Admissions.

No, undergraduates in the Young Child specialization who wish to participate in the Student Teaching Internship program must apply in their junior year.  The Student Teaching Internship program is highly structured and may have limited enrollment. Acceptance the program is restricted to students demonstrating exceptional potential for working with children and families. 

Juniors in the Young Child Specialization who wish to apply for Student Teaching program must have an overall GPA of 2.8 and a departmental GPA of 3.0 at the time of application. Students who are accepted into the program must maintain this level of achievement throughout the program and must provide their own transportation for off-campus placements as needed. Applications are available on the Family Studies Forms page and are due by January 15 of each year. Completed applications are reviewed by the Young Child faculty, and admission decisions are made by the end of February.

Students who complete the Student Teaching program are not automatically certified to teach.  Students who wish to teach in New Hampshire must pass the PRAXIS I teaching competency test and apply for certification once they have completed the program.

Reciprocity of the teaching certification with other states varies.  Students who wish to become certified to teach in other states should contact each state directly or check the University of Kentucky's "Certification Requirements for 50 States" web site at http://www.uky.edu/Education/TEP/usacert.html.

With the exception of FS 635, Family Studies courses at the 500 and 600 level are open to all UNH students without any pre-registration or permission required.  However, most courses have two sections – one reserved for Family Studies majors and the other for non-majors.  Students should pay close attention to the section designations to avoid problems when registering.

Students who wish to take FS 635 must call the Child Study and Development Center (CSDC) at 862-2835 to schedule a lab time. Students will be asked to select one four hour session, and preference may be given to students in the Young Child specialization. Once a lab time is confirmed with the CSDC, students may register for FS 635 on Webcat.

Students who wish to take Family Studies courses at the 700 level must be juniors or seniors and must have met the required pre-requisites.  One section of each 700-level course is restricted to majors only.  Family Studies majors should register for 700-level courses as soon as their registration window opens to ensure that they get a space.  If a course does not have space available, students should go to the Family Studies Form page and fill out the Wait List for Family Studies Courses form to be added to the waiting list for that course.

Students who wish to take FS 708 or 709 must call the CSDC at 862-2835 to schedule a lab time.  Once a lab time is confirmed with the CSDC, students may register for FS 708 or 709 on Webcat.

Students who wish to take FS 733 or FS 743 must pre-register in the Family Studies office.  The pre-registration list is located at the front desk, and is open to juniors and seniors only.  Because FS 733 and 743 are senior-level courses, space for juniors is very limited.  Students will be notified by e-mail if they have been given permission to register.  Once notification is received, students may register for the appropriate course on Webcat.

Students who have been accepted into the Family Studies internship programs will automatically be given permission to enroll in the appropriate internship and seminar courses.