Family Studies and Services
Options:
Shasta College offers two options in the Family Studies area:
Associate in Science Degree - Family Studies
Certificate - Life Management
AS Degree - Family Studies
This program is designed to provide students with foundational skills and knowledge about human actions and interaction within the primary social, cultural and economic unit in our society - the family. Individual and family issues that arise from changing societal patterns have created a vast need for a variety of support services.
Students with an A.S. Degree will have the opportunity to enter the Human Services field in a number of paraprofessional positions and/or be prepared, with additional coursework, to transfer to a four-year college or university for a Bachelor of Social Work Degree.
To earn an A.S. Degree in Family Studies, students must complete all the required courses listed in the current online version of Shasta College's catalog.
Program Topics:
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Development
Family Systems
Aging Dynamics
Social & Cultural Influences
Community Resources
Careers in Human Services
Professional Standards and Practices
Goal Setting
Decision Making
Money Management
Nutrition and Health
Stress Management
Opportunities for employment in Northern California could be with:
Federal, State and County Agencies
Numerous Family Support Agencies
Children's Service Agencies
Adult Service Agencies
Senior Programs
Recovery Centers
Educaiton Providers
Certificate - Life Management
This certificate is designed to provide students with the information, perceptions, and skills necessary to move toward responsible independence and effective interpersonal relationships. Resources such as time, money, and energy will be stressed along with the study of the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of all ages.
This curriculum is pivotal in preparing individuals to balance personal, family and work responsibilities throughout the life cycle.
Work-Site Learning
The Family Studies A.S. Degree not only prepares students with relevant concepts and skills to enter the workforce, the program requires a work-site learning component that gives students guided, practical experience in the field. This relatively early "insight" into the realities of the profession can be a pivotal factor in deciding whether to pursue this major any further, or choose another career pathway. Either way, the student benefits, particularly in terms of their time and money investment into a college degree.