Family studies is far more than an exploration of the idea of “family”. It is an in-depth look at how families are formed, how they function, how they change over time, and how culture and society shape those experiences. Housed in Marquette University’s Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, the interdisciplinary family studies minor brings together scholarship from across campus to help students understand the complex meanings of family life.

Students build a foundation that bridges social scientific, applied and humanistic perspectives, gaining a richer vocabulary for interpreting family dynamics. Coursework invites students to examine family well-being over the lifespan, explore the diverse structures and experiences that constitute family today, and consider how families interact with — and are shaped by — the broader society.

Rooted in Marquette’s mission, the minor emphasizes personal and professional growth as well as the application of social justice principles. A rigorous understanding of the family complements any major, especially for students preparing for careers in helping professions, education, communication or health care.

The curriculum includes SOCI 2200: The Family as the required foundation course, along with five elective courses chosen from departments across the university, including Communication Studies, Criminology and Law Studies, Education, English, History, Nursing, Psychology, Sociology, Social Welfare and Justice, Speech Pathology and Audiology, and Theology.

See what classes you'll take here