Bachelor of Arts in Family Life

Strengthen families through education

In the last 20 years, the very concept of a family became a whole lot more complicated. There are more challenges than ever for families who simply want to have healthy, happy relationship with one another. Never before has there been a greater need for individuals to help educate and equip families with the resources needed to thrive. Help meet the needs of families by enrolling in the Family Life Education program.

Quick Facts

Credits 126

Careers

Family Therapist
Life Scientist
Human Service Assistant

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Financial Aid

The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.

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Program Overview

Family rests at the heart of our identity, our psychology, and, in many ways, our well being. Yet, more and more families are becoming disconnected from each other. They are getting overwhelmed with new challenges, a changing culture, and an increasingly hostile climate. Are you called to dedicate your life to strengthening the family unit? If so, this program will equip you to make a significant impact by showing how you can proactively educate your community to anticipate potential problems before they occur.

What to Expect

This program will give you increased awareness of potential family issues, the capability to anticipate pitfalls, and the knowledge base to advise and educate. You will be prepared to work in a variety of hospital, church, agency, and other nonprofit settings. Most importantly, once you embark on your career, you will experience a deep satisfaction, knowing that your chosen profession truly helps others.

Locations

Ann Arbor

How to Apply

Undergraduate Application Steps

It’s time to help you become a Cardinal! Just follow these simple steps to complete your application.

For first-time freshman:

Submit your online application
Have your school send your official high school transcripts. Transcripts may be mailed or sent via a transcript processing service to:
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Admissions Office
4090 Geddes Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Send your official ACT or SAT scores.

Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official. If your school does not put scores on transcripts, please contact ACT or College Board.

For transfer students:

Submit your online application
Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

*Transfer students with less than 60 college credits completed will also submit official high school transcripts. Students who have less than 30 college credits also need to submit official ACT or SAT scores. Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official.

Minimum Requirements

A minimum GPA of a 2.5/4.0 (C average) or higher
ACT composite of 18 or above
SAT equivalent of 940 or higher for combined math and evidence-based reading and writing (for tests taken after March 2016).

*If your GPA or ACT score falls below the minimum for acceptance, your admissions counselor may ask you to retake the test or supply additional documents, such as an essay or letters of recommendation, to complete the application.

Required Academic Coursework in High School

A minimum of 16 units of high school (secondary school) work is required, of which at least 11 should be in basic liberal arts areas. Units should be distributed as follows:

English: At least three units, but four are strongly recommended.
Mathematics: Two units of college-prep math, preferably one each in Algebra and Geometry.
Natural Science: Two units, preferably one each in Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
Social Studies: Two units, preferably one each in world history and American history.
Liberal Arts: Two units of the same foreign language or additional units in one or more of the other listed subjects or in fine arts.
Other Electives: Five units from any area of academic study, but ideally from the areas listed above.
German or Latin is recommended for pre-seminary students.

Jennifer A. Fieten MA, CCLS

Assistant Professor

Joshua Kittleman

Assistant Professor

Child Life Specialist

Families face a host of new challenges in today’s society. So do children. While we all wish for every childhood to be idyllic, the truth is that many children experience physical ailments, emotional distress, and uncertainty due to life circumstances. This program will prepare you to proactively support children and their families. You will learn to strengthen social-emotional well being, helping children and families cope with whatever challenges may arise. The program is headed by a certified child life specialist, and has a strong cohort of child life specialist students and professionals who will help you stand out as an exceptionally well-prepared candidate for hospital fieldwork and employment.

Adult Care Services

With Baby Boomers aging, there is a great need for education and support. Both for aging parents and their adult children. As certified family life educators through the auspices of the National Council on Family Relations, students focusing on adult care services gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes to support this specific segment of the family system. With an understanding of the physical, cognitive, socioemotional, spiritual, cultural, sociological and economic realities faced after age 50, graduates can provide advocacy, education and support for all members of the family system.

Community Services

The Community Services minor focuses key areas of family life like mental health, domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse, in addition to the kinds of services these issues necessitate: adoption/foster care, mental health support, residential placements for youth, services to those escaping human trafficking, recreation programs, services for those facing unemployment, debt, homelessness, prisoner re-entry, immigration and educational support for quality parenting and strong marriages. Through completion of practicum fieldwork, you will be exposed to different types of community service agencies, which will help you discover the population you are most interested in serving. Once you choose a specific service area, you’ll be able to seek a relevant internship that will afford you the kind of experience you can include on a resume and job application once you graduate.

Children's Ministry

The Children Ministry minor will prepare you for a life of service to families and their children in the church. You’ll explore the foundations of children’s ministry, while learning the ins and outs of administration as it relates to children’s ministry programming. You’ll learn basic children’s ministry skills, and enjoy practical, hands-on experiences with a senior seminar, church practicum, and an internship.