Human Development and Family Science Department Minors
Our Minors
Human Development & Family Science Minor- The human development & family science minor offers a comprehensive introduction to the area of family science and provides students with concentrated study in family dynamics. This minor includes classes in the Foundations of Marriage and Family, Parenting, Human Sexuality, Dynamics of Family Interaction and Marital Relationships. Students also get to choose one course from the following list which most closely matches their interests: Child Development, Adolescent Development, Adult Development, Psychology of Aging, and Sociology of Aging.
Gerontology Minor- This interdisciplinary minor, designed for students in all majors, equips students with knowledge, skills, and abilities which are invaluable when working with older adults. Classes include Death, Grief, and Caring; Nutrition, Health and Biology of Aging; Psychology of Aging; Sociology of Aging, and a choice of one of the following: 6 credits of an Aging Practicum or Internship or 3 credits of an Aging Practicum and Adult Development.
Women’s Studies Minor- This minor is for those students with a real interest in issues relating to women and feminism in today’s society. This minor requires two courses- Contemporary Feminism and Women and Men in American Society. Students then choose four classes on topics ranging from women’s literature, to gender and Christianity.
Pre-Marriage and Family Therapy Minor- The pre-marriage and family therapy minor is ideal for those students wishing to pursue a career and/or further education in marriage and family therapy. Classes include Foundations of Marriage and Family, Dynamics of Family Interaction, Marriage & Family Therapy, Abnormal Psychology and an Internship of Family Service Practicum.
Multicultural Families Minor- The multicultural families minor is ideal for students interested in family diversity. This minor includes classes at the Grantham campus, as well as at least 6 credits from Temple University through the Philadelphia campus program. Required classes at Messiah College are Foundation of Marriage and Family, and Topics in Multicultural Family Studies and either Families in America or Family Ethnicity & Human Services. Temple University offers a wide variety of classes that fit this minor’s requirements about Latino, Black and Asian families.
Chidren & Youth Services Minor- The children and youth services minor is ideal for students interested in working with children and youth in research or social service settings such as
foster care, adoption, group homes for children and adolescents, and hospitals as child life specialists. For non-Human Development & Family Science majors, classes include Foundations of Marriage and Family, Child Development, Adolescent Development, and a four-credit Internship, as well as 6 credits of select electives. For Human Development & Family Science majors, classes include Foundations of Marriage and Family, Child Development, a four-credit internship, adn 9 credits of select electives.
