Family Life graduate course descriptions
FL 528/EDUC 528/428 Parent Education [3]
Examines lifespan faith and moral development of children and parents; characteristics, types, styles and forces that shape parenting practices and processes; development and dynamics of life-span relationships; changing family contexts; programs/services, training and delivery systems; and the impact of cultural-religious norms and family policies upon families.
FL 544/EDUC 545 Lifespan Family Education [3]
This course reviews the nature of lifespan family life education in the community, workplace and church. Students become familiar with professional and faith perspectives related to the foundation and practice of major lifespan family areas. Personal and professional family life assumptions and values are examined. Immediate course applicability is possible through pre-and-post work.
FL 545/PSY 545 Foundations of Christian Marriage and Family [3]
A study of the foundation of marriage and family within the framework of Christian theology and praxis. Includes the history of marriage and family, contributions to and development of the field in divorce prevention, remarriage, divorce recovery; current theories and approaches to training in CPREP: The Christian Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program and/or PREPARE/ENRICH certification or re-certification among others.
FL/PSY 546 Family Dysfunctions: Assessment and Intervention [3]
Covers the etiology and interventions of emotional and behavioral dysfunctions from a family systems perspective and a Christian theological framework. Provides community counselors with assessment intervention tools designed to help church professionals in topical areas to gambling, chemical, Internet addictions, anger management and other abuses found in family and community networks.
FL 547/SOC 546 Family Law and Public Policy [3]
Basic foundations and knowledge base of family law are studied. Students review their family state laws regarding legal rights of marriage-dissolution, children, family support, child custody, protection, public policies and implications for the church and school. This self-study course includes meetings, conferences with community attorneys, law enforcement agencies and courtroom observations.
FL 555/PSY 555 Lifespan Development [3]
A study of the development of changes of the person through the individual and family life cycle. Each stage of the cycle will consider physical development, including body changes and motor skills; cognitive development, including thought and language; psycho-social development, including emotions, personality and relationships with other people; spiritual development, including spiritual formation and implications for family life ministry.
FL 560/PSY 560 Professional Ethics
This course will examine issues of personal morality and faith. The course begins with a brief introduction to theological ethics, and then moves to practical issues in personal morality, which will be discussed in relation to family, and society. The course will address issues such as marriage and commitment, homosexuality, abortion, end of life issues and the development of faith and virtue. Attention will be given to how one’s theological commitments transform secular moral problems and their solutions.
FL 533/SOC 533 Aging and the Family [3]
This course provides a lifespan view of aging as individuals and within families. Theoretical frameworks, physiological, psychological, social aspects of aging, public policy and topical issues of families and individuals across time are studied. Students review community agencies, retirement-long-term-care campuses and independent living contexts in their communities, congregations and schools and study ethical issues and ministry opportunities and applications in a variety of contexts.
FL 543/SOC 545 Theory and Dynamics of Family Relations [3]
A study of the theological framework of the family and family relations. An examination of contemporary theories used in family analysis and a study of social, psychological and spiritual influences on family interaction, with special emphasis on how intrafamily processes and familial interaction in the social milieu are related to personal and family functioning.
FL 545/SOC 545 Theology, Theory and Dynamics of Family Relations [3]
A study of the theological framework of the family and family relations. An examination of contemporary theories used in family analysis and a study of social, psychological and spiritual influences on family interaction, with special emphasis on how intrafamily processes and familial interaction in the social milieu are related to personal and family functioning.
FL 546/SOC 546 Family Law and Public Policy [3]
Basic foundations and knowledge base of family law are studied. Students review their family state laws regarding legal rights of marriage-dissolution, children, family support, child custody, protection, public policies and implications for the church and school. This self-study course includes meetings, conferences with community attorneys, law enforcement agencies and courtroom observations.
FL 583/THEO 583 Sexuality and the Family [3]
This course develops a Christian lifespan approach to healthy sexuality; focusing on attachment theory, dating, mate selection, marriage and family development. Sexual attitudes, values and belief systems, and responsible behaviors within the church, community and larger society are identified. Lifespan curricula and models are examined.
FL 585/THEO 585 Family Life Ministry [3]
This course is a study of various models and strategies useful for initiating and sustaining family ministry as a lifelong process in the context of the home and local congregation. Emphasis is placed on theology and philosophy of family ministry, currents in family change, families in ministry, family life programmatic areas, and curricula for family life educational ministry and skill development.
FL 540 Family Resource Management [3]
This course is a study of the effective management of family resources that relate to lifespan family and individual goals. Values, attitudes, goals and resources are reviewed in light of a biblical foundation, management theories, concepts and principles and communication skills. Management of family time, work, stress, finances, consumerism and the environment provide a knowledge base and decision-making skills for planning, implementing and evaluating change for lifespan decision-making.
Optional Course for the Master of Science Degree in Family Life:
EDUC 597 Practicum/ NCFR Certification [3]
Required course for NCFR certification as a CFLE. Complete 125 hour practicum.
