Program description
The Family Social Sciences program teaches students about how family community and culture impact human health and well-being. It is an innovative program that appeals to students interested in a dynamic career helping others through prevention, education and health promotion. Students gain an understanding of human development, relationships, healthy communities, diversity, equity and social justice. Students develop skills in evaluating the effectiveness of programs aimed at supporting families, and become experts in the impact of individual, community, cultural, and political environments on family well-being.
Program options
Degree options
B.H.Ecol. (FSS) Bachelor of Human Ecology (Family Social Sciences)
Study options
Full-time program - 4 years
After degree program - 2 years (60 credit hours)
Transfer program - 2 years (60 credit hours)
Specializations
- Aging
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Family Violence and Conflict Resolution
- Social Development
- Family Economic Health
Interesting courses and unique opportunities
Interesting courses
- Multicultural Family Issues
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Death and Dying
- Family Economics: Poverty and Wealth
Fieldwork options
The Family Social Sciences program offers a fieldwork placement course providing students the opportunity to work in a community agency under the supervision of a faculty member and an employee of the agency in the student's area of interest.
Master of Science, Family Social Sciences (MSc) program options
- Developmental Health
- Family Resource Management
- Family Violence and Conflict Resolution
- Social Development
Notes
The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Human Ecology holds a transfer agreement with Red River College programs.
Ph.D. opportunities are also available.
Professional opportunities
- Community economic development worker
- Child development consultant
- Community services worker
- Academic advisor
- Volunteer coordinator
- Financial planner
- Social policy analyst
- Family services worker
- Youth counsellor
- Group home worker
- Child life therapist
- Social worker
- Marriage and family therapist
Admission requirements & prerequisites
Direct entry option
This entry option is open to high school students or high school graduates who have not completed any university or college courses. If eligible applicants outnumber the available spaces, applicants will require higher averages than stipulated to be successful in the admissions competition. Specific program requirements will vary; details of these requirements are available on each program’s application page.
- Manitoba high school graduation, with five full credits at the Grade 12 level, in courses designated S, G or U.
- A Minimum 85% average over the following with no less than 60% in each course:
- English 40S
- Chemistry 40S, Biology 40S, or a Mathematics 40S
- A third 40S course
Advanced entry option
24 credit hours in U1 (or an approved bachelors program)
This entry option is open to students who have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours of university level study. Specific program requirements will vary; details of these requirements are available on each program’s application page.
High school prerequisites
High school prerequisites: A math 40S required; if taking CHEM 1300, Chemistry 40S and Pre-Calculus Math 40S or Applied Math 40S is required.
Many programs will require or recommend specific high school courses over and above their admission requirements. These high school prerequisites are not always required to enter the program, but they must be completed to enrol in certain university courses within it. If a student does not have a particular prerequisite when they enter the program, they may complete an equivalent upgrading course at university that will satisfy the prerequisite requirement.
More details on admission requirements, application dates and how to apply is available on the Faculty of Human Ecology apply for admission page.
What is unique about this program at the U of M?
The University of Manitoba's Family Social Sciences program is unique to the prairies and gives opportunities for graduates of Red River College's programs in Disability Services, Child and Youth Care, and Early Childhood Education to bring two years worth of credit to this four year program. Graduates of other degree programs may take advantage of the After Degree Program in Family Social Sciences.
The Faculty of Human Ecology is home to several accomplished faculty members. Dr. Brownridge is an invited member of the National Network of Experts of the Minnesota Centre Against Violence and Abuse, and the Office on Violence Against Women. Dr. Durrant received the YMCA-YWSA Woman of Distinction Award, in the Education, Training and Mentorship category as well as the Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba Chapter Power of Humanity Award: Humanitarian of the Year award in 2011. Finally, Dr. Mignone is the recipient of the 2010 Merit Award for Research and the Rh Award.
Important links
Faculty of Human Ecology
Family Social Sciences in Human Ecology
Family Social Sciences Graduate Program
