Family Science

The National Council on Family Relations states that Family Science is the scientific study of families and close interpersonal relationships.

A unique combination of characteristics makes up the Family Science lens, establishing Family Science as a distinct social science discipline and knowledge base for professional practice: 

• Focused on relationships: Family Science focuses on relationships and interactions among family members. It uses a systems perspective, which means it considers families and family relationships within broader societal systems. Family Scientists understand what healthy relationships look like across a diversity of families, and they have a sophisticated understanding of family dynamics across the lifespan.
• Strengths-oriented: Family Science is focused on families' strengths and on how families can build on their strengths to be sustainable and self-sufficient. 
• Preventive: The Family Science perspective applies knowledge about healthy family functioning to help prevent problems before they occur. 
• Translational: The findings of Family Science research are meant to be translational, meaning applied in real life to help strengthen families. 
• Evidence-based: The Family Science knowledge applied in teaching and practice comes from rigorous scientific research. Family Scientists use multiple methods to gather evidence and conduct research, and Family Science has its own distinct methodologies and theories.

The Family Science program coursework is designed to comply with the Certified Family Life Education requirements set forth by the National Council on Family Relations. Courses are also offered that meet academic requirements for Certified Child Life Specialists as established by the Child Life Council. Students interested in the Child Life Specialist profession must also complete additional requirements such as an internship in a children’s hospital.

The Family Science program is also designed to provide excellent undergraduate foundations for graduate work, as well as for working in a variety of settings. Wondering what you could do with a degree in Family Science? Check out some of these possibilities:

• Business, Consumer and Family Resource Services: corporate childcare centers, child and family poverty research, family business consultation
• Community-Based Social Services: youth development programs, family life education, adoption agencies, adult daycare, gerontology programs
• Early Childhood Education: childcare centers, Head Start programs, early childhood family education
• Education: cooperative extension, family life education, high school guidance counseling, marriage and family enrichment programs
• Faith-Based Organizations: clergy, pastoral staff, youth programs, marriage and relationship programs, international faith-based organizations
• Family Intervention: individual and family therapy, case management, divorce mediation, residential treatment programs, victim/witness support services
• Government and Public Policy: family policy analysis, advocacy/lobbying, military family support services, juvenile justice programs
• Health Care and Family Wellness: nutrition education, sexuality education, prenatal and maternal services, long-term care programs, hospice, child life specialist
• International Education and Development: international family policy analysis, Peace Corps, NGO leadership, global family planning programs
• Research: grant writing, academic, and government-related research, program evaluation and assessment
• Writing and Communication: curriculum resource development, journalism, blogging, and social media

Child Life Specialist

This track is designed to prepare students to become a Child Life Specialist. A Child Life Specialist works with children and families to navigate challenging medical and health-related issues in a wide variety of settings.

Child and Family Services

This track is designed to prepare students to enter careers in the emerging and growing field of human and family services. Careers include settings such as adoption and foster care agencies, child development centers, Head Start Centers, early childhood and family education programs, child protective services, hospice centers, non-profit and international agencies (such as refugee relocation), and military family support services.

Children and Family Spiritual Formation

The track excellently prepares students to work with children and families in churches and faith-based organizations both domestically and internationally. A strong emphasis on children’s spiritual formation is a unique piece of this track as well as spirituality in families. This new configuration of children’s and family ministry features courses on family interaction, effective parenting, family relationships, and lifespan development along with the children’s ministry and family ministry courses from the College of Bible and Ministry.

Mental Health Professions

This track is designed to prepare students for entering into graduate work to become a Marriage and Family Therapist or to enter other mental health professions, such as Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Graduates will also be prepared to become Certified Family Life Educators. This program is a bridge to graduate study. High performing senior level students may be eligible to take two graduate-level courses in their senior year. These 6 hours will count toward a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Lipscomb, or transferable to other programs. Students wishing to pursue the bridge option must meet MFT graduate program application and admission requirements.

Family Life Education

This major provides a robust offering of Family Science courses and is designed to be a second major complementing those looking for experience and training that translates into utilizing the “soft skills” that are so important in the work world. Some of the most desired skills in the job market are those provided with this major: communication skills, conflict resolution, problem-solving, ability to work with groups, and interpersonal skills.

Family Science students frequently partner with local and international organizations to complete a practicum, where they gain valuable experience, for example, working with incarcerated parents and their children, older adults in long-term care facilities, refugee families, or local organizations providing relationship enrichment courses. Family Science students have interned for organizations like Vanderbilt KidTalk, Cross Point Church, Saddle Up, Pediatric Therapies, Nashville Office of Family Safety, Ready Nest Counseling, Tennessee Prison Outreach Ministry, HeavenSent Adoption, USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, High Hopes Development Center, and many others. Additionally, students and faculty often collaborate on research and projects that directly benefit families. After graduation, Family Science graduates work in numerous settings, making a positive impact in the lives of today’s families, and they pursue graduate studies at the masters and doctoral levels.