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Courses - Spring 2023
FMSC
Family Science Department Site
FMSC110
Families and Global Health
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
GenEd: DSHS, DVCC
Students will explore, define, and study global health, social determinants of health, health inequalities, gender inequality, family violence, and maternal and child health using a global perspective.
FMSC123
Personal Financial Literacy: From Distress to Success
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Exploring strategic thinking, career, education, financial planning during college years as the foundation for success in living a meaningful life. While introducing relevant institutions and tools & techniques that are critical for financial planning, this course applies value-based goal setting and strategic planning that inform individuals' paths for a successful career, educational attainment, and optimum (mental, physical and financial) wellbeing throughout their life cycle. The course particularly emphasizes the individual's responsibility of living in an institution rich society, where, continuous learning, understanding institutions, rational decision-making, valuing relationships and networking, early career development, record keeping, budgeting, generating income and wealth, purposeful spending, saving and investing, tax planning, appropriate use of loans, risk taking and insurance, and retirement planning are well rewarded and ensure the optimum use of college years and the rest of life-course.
FMSC177
U SAD? Coping with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Credits: 1
Grad Meth: Reg
Students on UMD campus experience new challenges to their mental health and well-being every semester, and there are limited resources to help students manage their own health or to support their peers. This experiential skill development workshop course is designed to assist students in developing their knowledge in ways to recognize, manage, and cope with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. There is a focus on coping with pandemic-related and course-related concerns, relationship issues, and a range of other student concerns.
FMSC190
Man Up! Where Are The Fathers?
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
GenEd: DSHS, SCIS
An examination of changing fatherhood roles, health, and inequality in diverse families. Focus will be on masculinities and disparities among men by race and class; provider role expectations; and trauma and violence faced by men in contemporary society.
FMSC215
Foster Care and Adoption; Law, Policy, and Family
Credits: 1
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
In this Student Initiated Course, students will examine their preconceived notions of foster care and adoption as they work to become agents for change in the systems. Regular guest speakers will share their experiences. Along with your student instructor you'll explore various outcomes of the systems including trauma, mental health and later-life outcomes. Your faculty instructor will encourage you to critically think about legal and policy issues, both in Maryland and internationally, like the foster to prison pipeline and adopting from other cultures. Students will examine contentious issues like legal interventions, LGBTQ, Native American Indian, transracial, religious and others relating to the systems and the socioeconomic impacts on families. Classes are student-driven and discussion-based, allowing students to explore ethical considerations and possible life paths.
FMSC260
Couples, Marriage, and Families: Intimate Relationship Across the Life Course
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS
Covers the different aspects of couple relationships and family life. This includes common problems in couple relationships, and resources to strengthen couple and family relationships. You will also learn about stages of relationships, theories of love and family, policy related to couples and family formation, and how research is conducted with couples and families. Together, we will discuss and explore issues that couples and families face in modern times and will consider how many of these issues have changed due to policy, technology, attitudes, and a variety of other societal factors that impact relationships in the 21st century. You will also learn important methods of strengthening current and future relationships.
Restricted to majors or non-majors with less than or equal to 60 credits.
FMSC265
Teaching Menstrual Health: Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
Provides a platform to teach UMD undergraduate students and BHU Bachelor of Education students about the intersections of gender, culture, and health. We will explore how menstruation is addressed in different cultures and uncover myths and misconceptions that impact individuals, their families and communities. Furthermore, the course emphasizes the health cost (physical and mental) of not educating youth about this vital process and discusses the need for an intervention. The course provides essential skills to participating students for the development of an intervention. Key concepts include: theoretical understanding of menstrual health and its impact on girls and women's lives from cross cultural perspectives, the importance of deconstructing myths and misconceptions and the importance of educating both girls and boys; cultural taboos and patriarchal power relations that contribute to myths, misconceptions and practices; public health interventions addressing the cost of ignoring adolescent health issues including menstrual health; the impact of providing agency to young girls and boys to challenge the status-quo; and links between knowledge about menstruation, human rights, gender equality and the SDGs.
Restricted to majors or non-majors with less than or equal to 60 credits.

This is a Global Classrooms course, developed in partnership with the Office of International Affairs (OIA) to provide virtual opportunities for global engagement. Global Classrooms can range from embedded experiences to immersive, project-based collaboration.
FMSC290
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: FMSC290 or FMST290.
Formerly: FMST290.
Application of economic methodology to study families under various economic situations. Examination of how decisions about marriage, divorce, fertility, consumption and time use are influenced by labor/housing markets, tax structure, social welfare benefits and other economic considerations.
Restricted to majors or non-majors with less than or equal to 60 credits.
FMSC302
(Perm Req)
Research Methods in Family Science
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS or DSSP
Prerequisite: Must have completed an introductory statistics course.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Family Science department.
Credit only granted for: FMSC302 or FMST302.
Formerly: FMST302.
Introduction to the methods of the social and behavioral sciences employed in family science. The role of theory, the development of hypotheses, measurement, design, and data analysis.
FMSC310
Maternal, Child and Family Health
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
Credit only granted for: FMSC310, FMSC410 or FMSC498A.
Formerly: FMSC498A and FMSC410.
Additional information: A comprehensive understanding of maternal, child, and family health, with additional emphasis on environmental health, needs assessment and evaluation, enabling students to more effectively address issues in the workplace.
Overview of the major issues in Maternal, Child, and Family Health in the U.S. and the world. The course will cover the social, political, environmental, and economic factors that shape the health of women, children, and families throughout the life course. It will employ the core disciplines of public health -- 1) epidemiology/biostatistics, 2) environmental health, 3) health policy and administration, and 4) social and behavioral health -- to examine these factors. The course introduces specific issues and interventions and places these issues and interventions within their broad sociohistorical context.
FMSC330
Family Health: Health Happens in Families
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS, DVUP
Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
The objective of this gateway course is to help you understand and apply basic theories and empirical data on family health. The course is designed to provide you with skills to think critically about theories including: Life Course Theory, the Bio-Ecological and Social-Ecological Models, and Systems Theory. We will ask questions about the distinct qualities and intersections of contexts and characteristics that impact the functioning of families. We will apply theory and research to topical issues in family health that are impacted by social structures such as conflict, crisis, migration, incarceration and inequalities.
FMSC332
Children in Families
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS
Prerequisite: PSYC100 or FMSC105.
Credit only granted for: FMSC332 or FMST332.
Formerly: FMST332.
A family life education approach to the study of children and families. Emphasis on the interaction of children with parents, siblings, extended kin, and the community.
FMSC341
Personal and Family Finance
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSSP
Credit only granted for: FMSC341 or FMST341.
Formerly: FMST341.
Individual and family financial strategies with emphasis on financial planning, savings, investments, insurance, income taxes, housing, and use of credit. Planning, analyzing, and controlling financial resources to resolve personal/family financial problems and to attain financial security.
FMSC374
Working with Diverse Families in Public Health Services
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: FMSC110.
Focuses on the "doing" and modeling of skills required in navigating diverse social environments with families. These skills are necessary to engage in authentic work as family scientists, public health professionals, and family health practitioners. Using an intersectional framework, we will examine cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity for families impacted by challenges to equity and privilege. The course material emphasizes deep knowledge and skill building towards cultural sensitivity, including history, values, language, religion, and communication with families across multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds. Students will also explore differences emerging from experiences of poverty, sexual orientation and gender identity, and disability. The goal of the course is to support students in developing a family/professional alliance for health and well-being.
FMSC381
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
GenEd: DSHS, DVUP
Prerequisite: SOCY100 or SOCY105.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Family Science department.
Social, political, cultural and economic factors influencing income and wealth in American families.
FMSC382
Family Mediation and Negotiation
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
Recommended: FMSC487 and FMSC341.
Credit only granted for: FMSC498M or FMSC382.
Formerly: FMSC498M.
Investigates mediation as a forum of peaceful intervention. It is designed to provide students with an introduction and basic understanding of the essential principles of mediation and opportunities to put those principles to work. In so doing, students will obtain an in-depth knowledge of a practical "hands on" approach to divorce mediation as the conduct mediation skill builders and facilitate a successful mediation. Students will learn major mediation interventions and how such interventions may help establish a new dynamic among family members in their communications and relationships. To assist in understanding, we will discuss family law issues and ethics. The course also includes a focus on negotiation theory and skills and students will conduct a negotiation. We will use multi-media presentations, real life mediation observation, lecture and class discussion, role-play, and academic review and critic to reach the course goals and objectives.
FMSC383
Health and Human Services Delivery and Evaluation
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: FMSC330.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Family Science department.
Processes of service delivery with special emphasis upon relationships among managers, service providers and clients. The impact of human service systems on families.
FMSC399
(Perm Req)
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC432
(Perm Req)
Adult Development and Aging in Families
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PSYC100; and (SOCY100 or SOCY105). And FMSC332; or must have completed a comparable development course.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Family Science department.
Credit only granted for: FMSC432 or FMST432.
Formerly: FMST432.
Theory, research, history, and programming related to adult development and aging in the intergenerational context of family.
FMSC460
Violence in Families
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS, DVUP
Prerequisite: SOCY100, SOCY105, or PSYC100.
Credit only granted for: FMSC460 or FMST460.
Formerly: FMST460.
Theories of child, spouse, and elder abuse in the family setting. Emphasis on historical, psychological, sociological and legal trends relating to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Introduction to methods for prevention and remediation.
FMSC477
(Perm Req)
Internship and Analysis in Family Science
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: FMSC383; and 9 credits in FMSC courses; and permission of SPHL-Family Science department.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Family Science department.
Credit only granted for: FMSC477, FMST347, or FMST477.
Formerly: FMST477.
A supervised internship and a seminar requiring analysis. Opportunities to integrate theory and practice including 120 hours of contracted field experience. Summer or fall internship contracts due May 1; Spring contracts due December 1. See department for application procedures.
Instructor will provide further details on meeting dates in ELMS.
FMSC487
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Designed for students interested in studying the law, public health, and family science, this course provides students with a general overview of family law and the impact on healthy families. The course also includes the study of cutting-edge issues such as marriage equality, assisted reproduction and ethical issues that may arise.
FMSC498
(Perm Req)
Special Topics: Family Science; Family Studies
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC498H
(Perm Req)
Special Topics: Family Science; Family Studies Honors Thesis
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC498P
Special Topics: Family Science; Child and Family Policy Impact
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listing with PLCY388A. Credit only granted for PLCY388A or FMSC498P.
FMSC610
(Perm Req)
Research Methods in Family Science
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: EDMS645; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Credit only granted for: FMSC610 or FMST610.
Formerly: FMST610.
Research methods in family science. The role of theory, design, use of qualitative and quantitative measurement techniques, data collection and data analysis. Development of research proposals.
FMSC641
(Perm Req)
Couples Therapy, Theory, and Techniques
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
Prerequisite: FMSC640.
Credit only granted for: FMSC641 or FMSC641.
Formerly: FMST641.
Overview of theoretical models of couple relationships and methods of facilitating growth and interaction within those relationships. Emphasis on couples with conflicting needs and expectations, and dysfunctional communication and conflict negotiation skills.
FMSC647
Theory and Techniques of Family Mediation
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Credit only granted for: FMSC647 or FMST647.
Formerly: FMST647.
An introduction to family mediation as an approach to helping families deal effectively with the issues associated with separation and divorce. Theory, practice, and techniques of negotiation, with an emphasis on custody, property division, and the constructive restructuring of family relationships.
FMSC651
(Perm Req)
Treatment of Emotional and Mental Disorders in Family Systems
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: FMSC650.
Restriction: Must be in Couple and Family Therapy (Master's) program.
This course is designed to assist beginning therapists in developing their knowledge of the major theoretical approaches to family therapy and applying those approaches to their clinical work. In addition, the course addresses many procedural, professional, and ethical issues often faced by beginning therapists. Towards these ends, the primary foci of the course will be on developing competencies in (a) observing family process, (b) assessing and conceptualizing family strengths and problems from different theoretical models, and (c) developing treatment plans from these different theoretical models. Finally, attention will also be given to therapist self-care.
FMSC653
(Perm Req)
Advanced Application of CFT Models and Techniques
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: FMSC652.
Restriction: Must be in Couple and Family Therapy (Master's) program.
This course is an integration of advanced assessment, diagnosis, and treatment procedures with couples, families, individuals, and groups. Emphasis will be on the following areas: (1) the advanced study of classic and emerging CFT models; (2) special topic areas (e.g., trauma, religious differences, grief & loss, family rituals,) and/or collaborative CFT in varied settings (e.g., schools, medical facilities, in-home/family preservation work, foster care, alcohol & drug centers); (3) development of a personal theory/philosophy of family therapy along with a case management system for that model. Additionally, development of the self of therapist, contributions to CFT as a profession, and employment as well as independent practice information including resume development, licensing laws and regulations in Maryland and other states will be explored. Also, procedures for preparing for the National MFT licensing exam will be discussed. Advanced professional practice will be demonstrated in case presentations related to the specific areas emphasized in the course.
FMSC658
(Perm Req)
Supervised Clinical Practice in Couple and Family Therapy; Theory and Practice of Clinical Supervision
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
FMSC689
(Perm Req)
Research Internship
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC698
(Perm Req)
Advanced Topics in Family Science
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Must have written permission of faculty member and chairperson.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC699
(Perm Req)
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC789
(Perm Req)
Non-Thesis Research
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC799
(Perm Req)
Master's Thesis Research
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: S-F
Must have written permission of faculty member and chairperson.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC810
Theory in Family Systems and Family Health
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud, S-F
Restriction: Permission of instructor.
Credit only granted for: FMSC810, FMST698P, or FMST810.
Formerly: FMST810.
Theory and research on family interaction and family coping with normative health and mental health transitions and non-normative crises across the family life cycle. Micro-analysis of family process in communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and compliance to health regimens. Examination of dysfunctional patterns and effective coping strategies.
FMSC850
(Perm Req)
Maternal & Child Health Epidemiology
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud, S-F
Restriction: Permission of instructor.
Credit only granted for: FMSC850, FMST698P, or FMST850.
Formerly: FMST850.
Determinants and trends in Maternal and Child Health, including analysis of the role of economic inequalities, race and ethnicity, community contexts, and psychosocial factors across the life course. Overview of methods and data systems used to monitor Maternal and Child Health. Development of a complete population health study.
FMSC879
Preparing Future Faculty and Professionals Seminar
Credits: 1
Grad Meth: Reg
FMSC898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits: 1 - 8
Grad Meth: Reg
Contact department for information to register for this course.
FMSC899
(Perm Req)
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits: 6
Grad Meth: S-F
Contact department for information to register for this course.