College of Education and Human Development

Family Social Science

Resources for current undergraduate students

Belong in family social science

We are here to help you navigate academic requirements and explore professional aspirations. Contact us, we can help you progress towards your degree.

Margaret Kelly, director of undergraduate studies, deleh003@umn.edu 

Kirsten Collins, senior undergraduate advisor, coll0260@umn.edu

Major in family social science

If you have a passion for helping people, this multi-disciplinary undergraduate major will develop your counseling skills and prepare you to understand human relationships across the lifespan. Your coursework will include internships, directed research, or fieldwork.

If you are a current undergraduate and are interested in declaring a major in family social science, please contact CEHD Student Services.

Curious about what you can do with a Family Social Science undergraduate or graduate degree? Check out "What can you do with a degree in family social science" that lists career paths, or visit the "Family Social Science faces" section on the Alumni > "Opportunities to Engage" page to read alumni stories.

View all program requirements in the University catalog or download a PDF of them. To register for courses, visit the University's One Stop.

Declare a minor in FSoS

A minor in family social science will deepen your understanding of parents, children, and couples in today’s complex world. family systems. Focused on the fundamental building block of society – the family – an FSoS minor complements any career that works with people touches those systems, from business to political science to medicine, law, and more.

Choose from four options:

  • Family and Community Engagement
  • Family Therapy
  • Family Financial Studies
  • Family Social Science

The Family Social Science minor planning document can help you plan your minor coursework? Questions? Please reach out to Kirsten Collins, senior undergraduate advisor, at coll0260@umn.edu

Undergraduate research opportunities

Participate in research and learn how to build evidence-based arguments, justify decisions, and critically evaluate findings – all valuable skills that will serve you well beyond graduation. FSoS research offers you:

  1. Hands-on Learning: Engaging in research as an undergraduate provides invaluable hands-on learning experiences. 

  2. Contribution to Knowledge: Undergraduate research in family social science gives you the opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge in the field. 

  3. Professional Development: Engaging in research as an undergraduate enhances professional development. 

  4. Preparation for Graduate Studies or Career: Participation in research as an undergraduate will enhance your graduate school applications and can lead to opportunities for advanced study or research assistantships. 

Get started!

 

More undergraduate student resources

Independent directed study contract

Students who are completing an independent study course (2191, 3191, or 4191) with a FSoS Faculty member or an Honors Capstone (4193), or Research Internship (4294) should complete this form in collaboration with their faculty advisor. You'll work with them to develop topics, course content, and readings. Research projects may include research planning, proposal writing, literature review, data collection, data analysis, data coding and/or cleaning, and research reporting. Submit the completed and signed form to Sophia Shepeck, shepe049@umn.edu to receive the required permission number. Contract for Independent directed study [PDF]

Research opportunities

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is designed to give undergraduate students and faculty members the opportunity to collaborate on research, scholarly, or creative activities by offering financial awards (up to $1,400) twice yearly to full-time undergraduates. UROP applications are judged on both the quality of the proposed project and the educational benefit to the student; awards are not based on financial need.

Paying for your education

CEHD maintains a listing of scholarships and awards for students, and the department also awards academic scholarships annually. 

Staying informed

The Department of Family Social Science sends out a monthly newsletter to current FSoS majors. Our FSoS newsletters are packed with great content, featuring highlights about our department and students, upcoming events, scholarship and financial aid information, job and internship opportunities, and loads of other helpful resources. Enjoy exploring!

December 2024November 2024October 2024September 2024

Study abroad

The Learning Abroad Center has hundreds of programs across the globe that can enhance your undergraduate experience. FSoS undergraduates are encouraged to incorporate study abroad into their academic careers; you can still graduate in four years as long as you plan ahead! The Learning Abroad Center has a website specifically for family social science undergraduates to help you plan.

FSoS student organization

The family social science undergraduate student organization is growing! If you are interested in helping to create community within the department, please reach out to Kirsten Collins, senior undergraduate advisor at coll0260@umn.edu