Family, Youth and Community Sciences

major

This social science major prepares students to address predictable human developmental changes, unpredictable events such as natural disasters, and persistent problems such as poverty and nutrition. Family, Youth and Community Sciences students study sociology, psychology, and economics as well as advanced topics in youth, family, and community development.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements, which include a minor or area of specialization.

Department Information

The mission of the Family, Youth and Community Sciences Department is to enhance lifelong learning and the personal, social, economic, and environmental well-being of diverse individuals, families, and communities through state-of-the art extension, research, and teaching programs.
Website

CONTACT

352.392.2201

P.O. Box 110310
3041 MCCARTY D
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0310
Map

 Curriculum

This interdisciplinary applied social science program provides the general and technical education necessary for graduates to enter careers in human services, including public, private, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. This includes family life education, youth development, human services, community development and extension education. Students receive the training needed to understand and help youth, families and communities by taking foundation courses in sociology, psychology and economics as well as advanced courses in youth, family and community development.

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all critical-tracking courses, 3000/4000-level core courses and specialization elective, which must be at the 3000/4000-level. A 2.5 GPA in the core courses is required for graduation.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding lab, with minimum grade of C
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 1` additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs, with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding lab, with minimum grades of C
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete 1 FYC Course
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • Area of specialization/minor course
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA Required

Semester 7

  • Complete 1 area of specialization/minor course
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA Required

Semester 8

  • Complete FYC 4941
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA Required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
BSC 2005
2005L
Biological Sciences
and Laboratory in Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
4
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Elective 3
 Credits13
Semester Two
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 3
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
Gen Ed International 3
Gen ED Mathematics 3
General elective 1
 Credits13
Semester Three
AEC 3030C
Effective Oral Communication
or Introduction to Public Speaking
3
PSY 2012 General Psychology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Composition 3
Gen Ed Diversity 3
 Credits15
Semester Four
Select one: 3-4
Economic Issues, Food and You (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Principles of Macroeconomics (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Principles of Microeconomics (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Select one: 3
Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (Writing Requirement)
Technical Writing (Writing Requirement)
Professional Writing in the Discipline (Writing Requirement)
FYC 3001 Principles of Family, Youth and Community Sciences (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
 Credits15-16
Summer After Semester Four
FYC 3201 Foundations of Youth Development 3
FYC 3401 Introduction to Social and Economic Perspectives on the Community 3
General elective 3
 Credits9
Semester Five
FYC 3112 Contemporary Family Problems and Interventions 3
FYC 3115 Human Services 3
FYC 4114 Ethical Issues in Family, Youth and Community Sciences 3
FYC 4622 Planning and Evaluating Family, Youth and Community Science Programs 3
Minor or specialization course (Critical Tracking) 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
FYC 4801 Applied Social Research Methods 4
FYC advanced topic course 3
FYC elective (Critical Tracking) 3
Minor or specialization course 3
Minor or specialization or FYC advanced topic course 3
 Credits16
Semester Seven
FYC 4931 Family, Youth, and Community Sciences Professional Development 3
FYC advanced topic course 3
FYC elective 3
Minor or specialization course Critical Tracking) 3
 Credits12
Semester Eight
FYC 4941 Practicum in Family, Youth and Community Sciences 6
FYC advanced topic or minor course 3
Minor or specialization course (Critical Tracking) 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits120

Specialization electives must be at the 3000/4000 level and students must attain minimum grades of C.


This major takes an interdisciplinary approach to the applied social sciences and prepares students for a career in professions that strengthen families, children, youth, and communities. Students' knowledge and skills will be developed through foundation courses in sociology, psychology, and economics; through advanced courses in family, youth, and community development; and through specialized courses in prevention and intervention. Students will be able to evaluate strategies, integrate knowledge of ethical standards, and use professional skills for handling contemporary problems.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Complete a final project in FYC 4931, including a written report and oral presentation.
  • Complete the practicum course FYC 4941 with performance evaluations completed by agency supervisors.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Apply the guiding framework of Family, Youth and Community Sciences disciplines to contribute to positive outcomes. 
  2. Apply strategies for prevention and intervention in contemporary family, youth, and community problems and issues.

Critical Thinking

  1. Apply current research findings relevant to families, youth, and communities.

Communication

  1. Apply speaking skills to communicate research findings in formal settings related to family, youth, and community sciences organizations using multimedia software.
  2. Write effectively in a manner appropriate to conventions of social science research.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5
FYC 3001 I I I
FYC 3112 R R R I
FYC 3115 R R R R R
FYC 3201 I I I R
FYC 3401 I I I R
FYC 4114 R R R R R
FYC 4622 R A R A R
FYC 4801 R A R
FYC 4931 R R R R R
FYC 4941 A R R R R

Assessment Types

  • Final paper
  • Project
  • Practicum Supervisor’s Performance Evaluations