Family Studies
Careers Specific to the Bachelor's Degree
Children's services in adoption and foster care, child protection services, and parent/child programs; specialists in family life, human development, and child development at cooperative extension agencies; gerontology services at community centers and residential care facilities; family life education at child care centers, community health centers, and social service agencies; handicapped services (rehabilitation, residential care, vocational guidance) in community outreach programs, residential facilities, state coordinated rehabilitation services, and sheltered workshops; family violence services in social service agencies, shelters, and residential centers in positions such as substance abuse counselor, resident assistant, women's advocate; financial assistance counseling at credit counseling agencies, public aid offices, welfare offices; marriage and family therapy services in mental health centers and social service agencies; substance abuse services in mental health centers and social service agencies; vocational guidance and counseling; youth services in correctional centers, group homes, mental health centers, community centers.
Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's Degree
With a bachelor's degree, employment may be available as a caseworker, advocate, counsel, or in an agency or organization such as those listed in the previous section.
Specific audiences that can be assisted by family studies professionals include:
Rehabilitation teams
Socially/culturally deprived people
Preschool children
Those with behavior disorders
Developmentally disabled
Traditional Jobs
Child day care centers
Preschool settings
Recreation programs
Public and private social service agencies
Advanced Degrees
Family Studies
Counseling and Guidance
Social Work
Education
Special Education
Rehabilitation
Law
Elderly
Unwed mothers
Adolescents
Careers that Normally Require a Graduate Degree
For many of the positions listed as career options, for example counseling or social work, a master's degree is recommended if not required. Supervisory and director-level positions usually require at least a master's degree.
Examples of Employers Include:
Neighborhood Youth Corps
Project Head Start
Child Protective Services
Peace Corps
Hospitals
Social Welfare Office (local, state and national)
International Agencies
Civic Groups
Adult Education Centers
Children's Homes
Retirement Communities
Planned Parenthood
Mental Health Centers
Job Outlook
Continued growth is expected in this field, though availability of jobs may be constrained in some communities. Fields experiencing growth are gerontology, addiction, and developmental disabilities.
Salary Information
The starting salary range is $20,00-$30,000. With a master's degree, they range from $25,000 to $35,000.
Potential Career Growth
With a graduate degree in an area of study such as social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or sociology, one can move into counseling, supervisory or management positions and can become an executive director of a human services agency.
ASSOCIATION:
National Council on Family Relations
3989 Central Ave., NE, #550, Minneapolis, MN 55421
Phone: 763-781-9331 ~ Toll Free: 1-888-781-9331
Fax: 763-781-9348 ~ info@ncfr.com