Family Science

School of Public Health
1142 School of Public Health (Bldg. 255)
Phone: 301-405-3672
fmsc@umd.edu
http://sph.umd.edu/fmsc/

Families are the foundation of society and the public’s health. The Department of Family Science promotes the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of all families in order to eliminate the burden of disease and health disparities, and to foster resilience and social justice.  We aim to be a recognized leader in family health, defined as the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of all families. Our faculty members produce high impact scholarship on family health that advances the well being of all families, domestic and foreign public policy and evidenced-based human services delivery. Our students are the next generation of investigators, practitioners, and policy leaders who can tackle the complex health challenges facing families. 

We are proud to be the first department of family science in an accredited school of public health in the US. We bring the synergies of our multiple disciplines from family science, maternal and child health, couple and family therapy, psychology, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, economics and finance among others to enhance family health and well-being.

The Family Science major at the University of Maryland College Park offers a comprehensive study of families in the 21st century. The Family Science undergraduate program emphasizes understanding family health through scientific methods and promoting family health equity through education, research, policy analysis, and human services practice. Our curriculum is designed to foster resilience, social justice, and eliminate health disparities.

The Family Science Department is located in the UMD School of Public Health in Suite 1142. FMSC's main office is open year-round (except on University holidays), Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Chair: M. Smith-Bynum (Prof & Chair)

Professors: M. Falconier, J. Kim, M. Mokhtari, K. Roy, M. Smith-Bynum

Associate Professors: G. Hurtado Choque (Family Health Specialist, Maryland Extension), A. Lewin, M. Mittal, M. Thoma, J. Steinberg

Assistant Professors: R. Barrie, A. Morgan

Lecturers: C. Schull, K. Tripp

Clinical Professors: E. Maring (Director of Global Health Initiatives)

Associate Clinical Professor: B. Slaughter (Director, Karabelle Pizzigati Endowed Professorship in Adv for Children, Youth and Families)

Assistant Clinical Professor: T. Fennell

Professors Emeriti: E. Anderson, N. Epstein, S. Hofferth, S. Koblinsky, L. Leslie, N. Myricks (Assoc Prof), S. Quinn, S. Randolph (Assoc Prof), J. Wallen (Assoc Prof)

Professor of the Practice: S. Kessel 

Major

Academic Advising is provided to students in the Family Science Department by the Undergraduate Program Manager, Anna Lacy. Students can schedule appointments with their advisor through TerpEngage. 

The goal of the Family Science undergraduate advising office is to provide transitional and ongoing support for students to ensure they can make informed decisions concerning their academic plans and professional/personal goals. Academic advising is a partnership between students and their advisor. Ultimately, students are responsible for their success and experience in the Department of Family Science, but the Undergraduate Program Manager is available to provide advising, assistance, and resources. 

Students can meet with their advisor for multiple reasons:

  • To discuss their academic progress or academic standing
  • To confirm they are on track for graduation and completion of all degree requirements
  • To discuss problems impacting their academic performance or receive additional support accessing campus resources, etc.

Students can also receive advising support through the School of Public Health Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA).

Undergraduate Research Experiences

The department has an active Undergraduate Research Assistant Program, which enables students to learn from and work with world-class scholars on family issues. Family Science undergraduates volunteer to assist Department faculty with their ongoing research projects on topics including:

  • African American Families
  • Couple Relationships
  • Ethnicity & Families
  • Families and Global Health
  • Family and Community Violence
  • Family Financial Education
  • Family Law
  • Family Policy
  • Fathering
  • Latino Families
  • LGBTQ Families
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Men and Masculinities
  • Mental Health/Addiction/Family Therapy
  • Minority Populations
  • Health
  • Parenting
  • Poverty
  • Reproductive Health

Undergraduate students who participate in Family Science research may also participate in the Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research and serve as research assistants. These research opportunities particularly benefit students who are applying to graduate school.

Students may also set an appointment with Undergraduate Program Director to answer questions and learn about current undergraduate research projects in Family Science.

Internships

FMSC477 is the capstone requirement for a degree in Family Science. As part of the course, students are required to complete a 120-hour internship designed to integrate departmental and other coursework with a real-time work experience. Students in the seminar integrate classroom theory with their field placement and share work-related activities, broadening their exposure to work in the discipline of Family Science and their knowledge of specific career opportunities. In addition, the seminar focuses on students' cultural competence in the workplace. Each approved internship must have a significant focus on the family unit, incorporating the needs and concerns of the family in addition to those of the individual. Interns will be expected to utilize Family Science theories and concepts throughout the accompanying seminar to evaluate their internship experience. Therefore, it is essential that the internship responsibilities relate directly to family.

To be eligible to register for FMSC477, and FMSC major must have met the following requirements:

  • Must have passed FMSC330 with a C- or higher
  • Must have passed FMSC383 with a C- or higher
  • Must be in your Senior Year
    • ​If a student is graduating in a Spring term, they can register for FMSC477 as early as the preceding Summer term. If a student is graduating in a Fall term, they can register for FMSC477 as early as the preceding Spring term. 

Students are responsible for securing their own internship placement; however, the Department of Family Science does provide some support through an ELMS page called the "Internship Guide." Students are added to the Internship Guide on ELMS after schedule adjustment ends in the semester they are registered to complete FMSC383. This Internship Guide includes multiple resources to aid students in searching for an internship, including an Internship Directory listing all of the previous sites where students have interned previously. The internship contract form, which must be completed and submitted for a student to receive permission to register for FMSC477, is also located in the ELMS space. 

There are strict deadlines for submitting completed FMSC477 Internship Contracts:

  • Spring Internship contract: Due the first Monday in December
  • Summer internship contract: Due the first Monday in May
  • Fall internship contract: Due the first Monday in August

Questions regarding the FMSC477 course or internship requirement can be sent to the Undergraduate Program Manager for the Department of Family Science.

Honors Program

The FMSC Honors Program is designed to provide academically talented students with a more advanced and enriching educational experience in Family Science. The Honors Program gives students an opportunity to participate in scholarly independent study, interact with FMSC faculty, and examine a range of intellectual topics in greater depth than is possible in the traditional Family Science program. Students enroll in special Honors courses, Honors option work in regular courses, and independent research. The program culminates with the preparation and possible presentation of a Senior Honors Thesis.

FMSC majors who are interested in this additional challenging educational experience and meet the following criteria, may apply to the FMSC Honors Program:  

  • A UMD GPA of 3.3 with at least 45 credits completed 
  • A FMSC GPA of 3.5 and 
  • Completed FMSC290 with a grade of "B" or better and an additional three credits in FMSC

Or

  • ECON200 and an additional six credits in FMSC   

Students meeting the criteria and wishing to participate in the Honors Program must apply three semesters (not including summer) prior to graduation. More information and application forms are available on the FMSC website or from the FMSC Honors Program Director, Dr. Amy Lewin at alewin@umd.edu

Professional Organizations and Student Involvement

Phi Upsilon Omicron is a nationally recognized honor society focused toward observing academic excellence, enhancing qualities of leadership by providing opportunities for service, and encouraging lifelong learning and commitment in order to advance family and consumer sciences and related areas. The UMD Gamma Lambda Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron initiates new members every year. Membership benefits include networking opportunities through regional and national meetings, scholarship and fellowship awards, honor cords at graduation, and leadership opportunities at the chapter, regional, and national levels. Every semester, members participate in community service activities to give back to the community. For more information, please contact the FMSC Undergraduate Program Manager or email phiumd@gmail.com.

Family Science Student Ambassadors are a select group of Family Science majors who promote the major to prospective students and their families through outreach activities and events. The student group meets regularly throughout the semester under the leadership of Student Ambassador Co-Chairs. Student Ambassadors recruits new members each semester. For more information, please contact the FMSC Undergraduate Program Manager.

Maryland Council on Family Relations (MCFR) is a student chapter of the National Council on Family Relations, a professional organization for family researchers, educators, and practitioners. The organization provides an opportunity for students to explore family issues, meet fellow students, and prepare for careers in teaching, research, policy analysis, or direct service to families. MCFR is open to all undergraduate and graduate Family Science students. For more information, please contact the Family Science Department at fmsc@umd.edu.

Scholarships, Awards, and Financial Assistance

The Department of Family Science has several endowed scholarships that enable us to provide some assistance to meritorious students in our Family Science Program. Early in the spring semester, the department announces the availability of the awards and begins the application process. Recipients are announced by May of each year.

FMSC nominates meritorious students for recognition at the annual SPH Convocation for many prestigious awards including Dean's Scholars awards, the Jerry Wrenn Scholarship awards, and the Lester M. Fraley award. For more information on FMSC department Scholarships and Awards, please see the FMSC website.

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: http://financialaid.umd.edu or http://scholarships.umd.edu.

For more information about scholarships awarded by the School of Public Health, please visit http://sph.umd.edu/academics/advising-resources/undergraduate-center-academic-success-and-achievement/casa-scholarships/.