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Student working with children in the lab

What is child and family services?

Child and family services focuses on helping children, families and vulnerable populations navigate relationships and social well-being. We study people and their relationships and how they impact the world.

Why child and family services at OSU?

Our flexible degree program offers industry-leading preparation for employment opportunities working with children and families in businesses, non-profits, community organizations, family life education settings and more. Learn human development theory and participate in service learning and education that encompasses life intervention and prevention strategies. You also have the opportunity to enter accelerated programs to complete master’s and law degrees.

 

Career Paths

This program provides a strong foundation of studying families and relationships, preparing you for many careers, including:

Highlights

Professional School Preparation

A strong curriculum with flexible electives offers excellent preparation for graduate or professional school, including medicine, business, nursing, health professions, counseling, marriage and family therapy and law.

 

You have the opportunity for early admission to law school by completing a bachelor’s and a law degree in six years through the 3+3 option

 

Internship Experiences

An integrated internship experience helps you apply classroom learning to the helping profession of your choice. Recent internships sites include Wings of Hope Family Crisis Center, the Saville Center for Child Advocacy, the American Red Cross, YMCA, CASA for Kids and Youth Services of Tulsa.

 students hard at work at a child and family service internship

Coursework

Customize 21 hours of coursework to meet prerequisite requirements for the pre-professional tracks of law, medicine or allied healthcare programs or to prepare you to work with nonprofits, community organizations, child protective services, skilled nursing facilities and child care programs.  

 

Student Perspective

Alicia Johnson

“As a future physician, I believe a patient’s history, background and development is vital for success in holistic patient care. All of these factors tie back into the child and family services program. Being able to work with and learn about a wide range of children and families and how every individual is unique has truly been an advantage.”

- Alicia Johnson
Child and Family Services graduate

College of Education and Human Sciences

Student support

Scholarships

 

Explore related programs

Pre-Law, Pre-Med, Pre-Vet majors 

Social Sciences & Humanities majors

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