What can I do with a family social science degree?
Students graduating with a major in family social science develop many transferable skills and can use their education in a variety of fields!
Below is a list of potential employers and career opportunities for family social science. This is not an exhaustive listing. The world of work is always evolving and over time job titles and work settings can change.
Potential employers
- adoption/foster care agencies
- business
- camp programs
- child care programs
- child protective services
- child welfare agencies
- child and parent education programs
- colleges and universities
- community centers
- community education
- correctional institutions
- elder care services
- family shelters
- family service agencies
- head start programs
- health and wellness agencies
- hospitals
- human service agencies
- local government agencies
- mental health facilities
- military
- nonprofit organizations
- preschool programs
- public/private schools (K-12)
- religious organizations
- social service organizations
- state government agencies
- substance abuse programs
- women’s protective services
- vocational rehabilitation programs
- youth development and recreational programs
Career opportunities in family social science*
- addictions counselors
- advocate worker
- case management counselors
- certified family life educator
- chemical dependency counselors
- child abuse/neglect counselor
- child advocate
- child care coordinator/director
- child life specialist
- child and protective services worker
- civil rights worker
- community advocates
- community agency case worker
- community service project coordinator
- community organizer
- disability specialists
- domestic abuse counselor
- educational worker
- educator
- elder services administrators
- family advocate
- family crisis workers
- family planning counselor
- financial counselor
- foster care or adoption counselor
- grant writer
- home detention case worker
- human development specialist
- job coordinator
- legislative aid
- lobbyist
- nonprofit fundraiser
- parent educator
- parent program coordinator
- policy analyst
- program coordinator
- program evaluator
- teen center director
- volunteer coordinator
- vocational coordinator
- welfare job counselor
- youth counselors
- youth organization director
*A family social science degree provides excellent preparation for both graduate school and professional programs.
Career opportunities with an advanced or graduate degree
- administrator
- career/vocational counselor
- community counselor
- family and consumer sciences teacher grades 5-12
- marriage and family therapist
- nonprofit organization director
- school counselor
- researcher
- social worker (M.S.W.)
- social services director
- university faculty
Job titles and employers of alumni
- Program assistant, Children's Home Society and Family Services (read profile)
- Program assistant, CornerHouse (read profile)
- Information and referral specialist, Greater Twin Cities United Way (read profile)
- Family and consumer science teacher, Osseo Area Learning Center (read profile)
- Volunteer services specialist, Children's Home Society
- Youth care worker, Kids Peace
- Program coordinator, Campfire USA
- Juvenile corrections, Hennepin County
- In-home manager, Heartview
- Activity leader, Roseville Area Schools/Friendship Connection Program
- Office manager, NARAL Pro-Choice MN
- Living skills instructor, Alternatives for People with Autism
- Teaching assistant-special education, St. Paul Public Schools
- ESL volunteer coordinator, Hmong American Partnership
- Senior personal advocate, Cigna Behavioral Health
- Information assistance specialist, Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging
- AmeriCorps MFIP aide, Rise/AmeriCorps
- Crisis rehab assistant, Ridgeway Mental Health Service
- Psych. associate, Fairview Hospital
- Development assistant, Tubman Family Alliance
- Behavioral therapist, LIFE Midwest
- Family advocate, Tubman Family Alliance
- Summer program director/assistant teacher, Sunshine Montessori
- Kidstop instructor, Osseo Area Schools
- Child support officer, Hennepin County
- Mortgage consultant, Town & Country Credit
- Paraprofessional, Austin School District
- Database associate, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
- Trial case assistant, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- Nutrition assistant trainee-Hmong, Ramsey County-Public Health
- Activity assistant, Sunrise Senior Living
- Family services social worker, Child Protection Services
- Health unit coordinator, North Memorial
- Care coordinator, Fraser Child and Family Center
Family social science career Web sites
- Social workers. Help starts here.
- Social worker credentials
- A Career as a Marriage and Family Therapist
- Nonprofit Career Resource Guides
- The Truth About Nonprofit Careers
Student organizations
For assistance clarifying your career direction, or for assistance regarding internships, job searches, and résumé writing, visit the ETC Services center in Appleby Hall 127 or call 612-625-3339 to schedule an individual appointment with a career counselor.
April 2008