Youth and Family Sciences, B.S.

Degree Offered

• Bachelor of Science

Nature of the Program

The Youth and Family Science major is designed for students who are interested in working in settings with children, youth, and families. Coursework focuses on family issues, family interaction, human growth and development, and child, youth and family concerns.  Students complete field experiences at agencies focused on youth and families. Graduates are prepared to work with children, adolescents, and/or families in youth development or family development programs in a variety of settings.

Admissions for 2025-2026

High school and other students interested in a career in youth and family sciences can apply and be directly admitted to the Youth and Family Science program. If they meet the following criteria:

Admission requirements for the major for First Time Freshman

• First time students who meet University requirements are directly admitted to the Youth and Family Studies program.

Admission requirements for current students at WVU transferring to the major

• Enter with a 2.0 GPA

Admission requirements for transfer students from other institutions

• Enter with a 2.0 GPA

Requirements for YFS Majors

• Earn a C- or better in all CDFS or SPED coursework
• Comply with field and major professional and dispositional standards

Major Code: 5507

General Education Foundations

Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.

NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Foundations
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric		3-6
ENGL 101 & ENGL 102	Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research
or ENGL 103	Accelerated Academic Writing
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology		4-6
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning		3-4
F4 - Society & Connections		3
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past		3
F6 - The Arts & Creativity		3
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity		3
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree)		9
Total Hours		31-37

Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
University Requirements		37
Youth and Family Sciences Program Requirements		47
Youth and Family Sciences Major Requirements		36
Total Hours		120

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7		22
CAHS 191	First-Year Seminar	1
General Electives		14
Total Hours		37

Youth and Family Sciences Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Select three of the following (GEF 8):		9
PSYC 101	Introduction to Psychology
PUBH 101	Introduction to Public and Community Health
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology
WGST 170	Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
Select one of the following:		3
DISB 381	Lifespan Disability Policy
DISB 385	Disability and Society
SPED 404	Special Education in Contemporary Society
Select two of the following:		6
COMM 102	Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication
COMM 112	Fundamentals of Group Communication
COMM 212	Gender Communication
COMM 302	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 332	Family Communication
Select one of the following (GEF 8):		3
HN&F 126	Society and Food
HN&F 171	Introduction to Human Nutrition
Select one of the following:		3
COUN 240	Introduction to Addiction Studies
COUN 303	Introduction to Helping Professions
Select one of the following:		3
GERO 212	Introduction to Gerontology
SOC 312	Death and Dying
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 103 & COMM 104	Fundamentals of Presentational Speaking and Fundamentals of Public Communication
LDR 201	Principles of Leadership
Select one of the following:		3
ASP 220	Introduction to Africana Studies
ENGL 252	Appalachian Fiction
NAS 200	Introduction: Native American Studies
WGST 225	Women in Appalachia
WGST 260	Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies	3
ACCT 201	Principles of Accounting 1	3
AGEE 440	Principles of Cooperative Extension	2
SOC 226	Sexuality and Society	3
CRIM 303	Juvenile Delinquency	3
Total Hours		47

Youth and Family Sciences Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
A minimum grade of C- required in all Youth and Family Sciences Major Requirements.
CDFS 110	Families Across the Life Span (GEF 4)	3
CDFS 112	Introduction to Family Processes and Dynamics (GEF 8)	3
CDFS 172	Health, Safety, & Nutrition in Early Childhood	3
CDFS 210	Introduction to Parenting	3
CDFS 212	Development in Early and Middle Childhood	3
CDFS 250	Research Methods	3
CDFS 412	Adolescent Development	3
CDFS 413	Stress in Families	3
CDFS 414	Adolescent Problems and Disorders	3
CDFS 415	Family Interaction and Communication	3
CDFS 491A	Professional Field Experience	6
Total Hours		36

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)	3	CDFS 110 or 112 (GEF 8)	3
MATH 121 (or higher; GEF 3)	3	CDFS 172	3
CDFS 110 or 112 (GEF 4)	3	Select one of the following: (GEF 8)	3
CAHS 191	1	PSYC 101
GEF 2	4	PUBH 101
General Elective	2	SOC 101
		WGST 170
		GEF 5	3
		GEF 7	3
	16		15
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
ENGL 102 (GEF 1)	3	CDFS 210	3
CDFS 212	3	Select one of the following:	3
CDFS 250	3	COMM 103
HN&F 126 or 171 (GEF 8)	3	COMM 104
Select one of the following:	3	LDR 201
PSYC 101		Select one of the following:	3
PUBH 101		PSYC 101
SOC 101		PUBH 101
WGST 170		SOC 101
		WGST 170
		Select one of the following:	3
		COMM 102
		COMM 112
		COMM 212
		COMM 302
		COMM 332
		GEF 6	3
	15		15
Third Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
CDFS 413	3	ACCT 201	3
COUN 240 or 303	3	GERO 212 or SOC 312	3
WGST 260	3	Select one of the following:	3
Select one of the following:	3	DISB 381
COMM 102		DISB 385
COMM 112		SPED 404
COMM 212		General Elective	3
COMM 302		General Elective	3
COMM 332
Select one of the following:	3
ASP 220
ENGL 252
NAS 200
WGST 225
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
AGEE 440	2	CDFS 414	3
CDFS 412	3	CDFS 415	3
CDFS 491A	3	CDFS 491A	3
SOC 226	3	CRIM 303	3
General Elective	3	General Elective	3
	14		15
Total credit hours: 120

Major Learning Outcomes

Youth and Family Sciences

Upon graduation, all Bachelor of Science students in Youth and Family Sciences will be able to:

• Recall, explain, apply, and synthesize knowledge in the following seven content areas:

1. Families and individuals in societal contexts
2. Internal dynamics of families
3. Human growth and development across the lifespan
4. Human sexuality
5. Interpersonal relationships
6. Parent education and guidance
7. Professional ethics and practice

• Apply knowledge and skills from coursework/content areas to evaluate societal issues and problems that impact families and individuals within families.
• Demonstrate mastery in the scientific process, scientific inquiry, and family theories through:
  • Critically analyzing relevant literature in the field of family science
  • Interpreting and translating knowledge from empirical studies and theory to applied settings and field work
  • Creating and designed solutions to address issues affecting contemporary families and individuals within families.
• Demonstrate mastery of knowledge of the seven content areas and current issues in the field of youth and family science via:
  • Explaining, interpreting, and disseminating knowledge about family science to various stakeholders, including laypersons, families, and youth and family science colleagues.
  • Reflecting on their own professional growth across courses and field experiences.