Family Studies

Do you want to understand complex family dynamics and learn how to serve and support families in your community and beyond? The family is an integral part of all societies and comes in many forms and contexts. WSU Global Campus’ Family Studies Certificate program explores the complexities of family dynamics across cultures and backgrounds, touching on vital topics including parent-child relationships, interpersonal communication, racial/gender diversity, socio-economic factors, and psychological stressors with family units. This certificate is ideal for students pursuing a degree in human development who would like to focus their career on helping individuals flourish in the family context.

Potential Careers

This certificate program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and professional skills to seek employment in a variety of settings that provide services to families, including family counseling centers, parent education organizations, family crisis centers, battered women’s shelters, and many other organizations that address family needs and issues.

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Program of Study—24 semester credits

All courses are 3 credits, unless noted.

A cumulative GPA of 2.6 or better is required in all courses used to fulfill this certificate, and 15 of the 18 credits must be taken in residence at WSU or through WSU-approved education abroad or educational exchange courses.

Non-human development majors are required to complete any prerequisites for the HD 498 internship requirement (HD 497 – Professional Preparation Seminar).

Required Courses

  • H_D 204 [SSCI] – Family Interactions
  • H_D 301 – Family Stress and Coping
  • H_D 302 – Parent-Child Relationships
  • HD 320 [M] – Resources Management
  • H_D 350 [DIVR] – Family Diversity
  • H_D 403 [CAPS] – Families in Poverty
  • Upper-division HD course elective
  • H_D 498 – Field Placement/135 hours; must reflect the area of certification.

Awarding of the Certificate

At the beginning of the student’s final semester of coursework, the student should apply for the certificate through myWSU. This will notify the Registrar’s Office to confer the certificate. Here’s how: From the myWSU Student Homepage, select Academic Advising, then Apply to Graduate. The certificate should display as an option to select to Apply for Graduation. Certificates require a separate graduation application and are mailed separately from diplomas.