Family, Home, and Social Sciences
The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences is composed of nine departments that work to foster a deep and broad understanding of humankind as disciples of Christ. Teaching and scholarship rely on social science methodology to learn about human behavior and human societies — their histories, organization, governments, and economies. As the college name implies, we are particularly concerned with studying the family as the basic unit of society.
Students in the college gain a broad education that helps develop an appreciation of the values of modern civilization and prepares them to contribute effectively as citizens. We do this by modeling curiosity and love of learning; providing challenging and faith-building experiences both inside and outside the classroom; applying careful analysis and rigorous methods to hard questions; and encouraging students, faculty, and staff to be engaged and compassionate citizens. We acknowledge God will yet reveal many great and important things, and we faithfully seek after these truths.
The knowledge and skills gained in the varied disciplines prepare students well for graduate study and professional careers with ample opportunities for mentored research, experiential learning, and community engagement.
Administration
Dean: Laura Padilla Walker
Associate Dean: Mikaela Jean Dufur
Associate Dean: Niwako Yamawaki
Associate Dean: Jeffery Nokes
Assistant Dean: Joseph A Olsen
Assistant Dean: Danny Damron
Assistant Dean: Jordan Karpowitz
Assistant Dean/Finance Business Partner: Stephanie Probst
Contact Information:
990 KMBL
801-422-2085
Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers:
1041 JFSB
801-422-3541
liberalarts@byu.edu
Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers
Sherami Jara, Director
1041 JFSB
801-422-3541
https://liberalarts.byu.edu/
In this shared advisement center with the College of Humanities, our advisors help students chart an integrated academic and career path through their college experience. Our services include counseling for specific majors, counseling for a career, and monitoring students’ progress toward graduation.
Departments
Programs
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are offered in the college. See the individual department and program listings in this catalog for specific degrees offered and the requirements for each.
Scholarships and Awards
Scholarships and awards are available to qualified students. Applications may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office, A-141 ASB. See department and college websites for their scholarships.
Family, Home, and Social Sciences Internships
Alison Sondrup
1049 JFSB
801-422-2168
FHSSinternships.byu.edu
Staff members are available to assist students in finding, preparing for, funding, and successfully completing an internship to enhance their undergraduate education and career readiness. Academic credit for internships is offered through individual departments. The college also runs the Washington Seminar and the Utah State Legislature internship programs, which are open to all majors across the university.
FHSS Writing Lab
Joyce Adams, Director
1175 JFSB
801-422-4454
https://fhsswriting.byu.edu
fhss-writinglab@byu.edu
Writing advisors in the FHSS Writing Lab offer discipline-specific tutoring in writing for students in the social sciences. They help students become better writers by focusing on the global aspects of writing, such as thesis construction, organization, transitions, idea development, logical coherence, style, and argument clarity.
Museum of Peoples and Cultures
Paul Stavast, Director
2201 North Canyon Road, Provo
122 B67
801-422-0020
http://mpc.byu.edu/
Educational Opportunities. Museum staff work with faculty throughout the University to provide in-depth, hands-on learning experiences not only in the museum's exhibitions and laboratories, but also in classrooms across campus. Additionally, classes in museum practices designed to provide students with practical experience are taught by the museum's staff in connection with the Anthropology department (see listings in the Anthropology section of this catalog). The museum also employs students each semester to assist in collections work, education and outreach, exhibition development, among other duties. The museum welcomes volunteers to assist in collection, educational, and promotional work.
Anthropological Collections and Research Opportunities. Museum collections comprise over 7,000 collections (consisting of over 2 million specimens and objects) of prehistoric and ethnographic artifacts from various parts of the world. The majority of holdings are from the American Southwest, Mesoamerica, Polynesia, ancient Peru, and the Great Basin (especially Utah Valley). The museum also cares for an extensive collection of documents and images related to BYU archaeological research. The museum encourages students to inquire about research possibilities using its collections.
General admission is free at the Museum of Peoples and Cultures. Guided tours are available for a nominal fee and can be scheduled by calling the museum.
