Best institutions to study Family Systems
A program that focuses on the family as a social unit in its developmental, dynamic, comparative, and structural aspects, and the significance of the family as a system that impacts individuals and society.
18 U.S. institutions graduated 903 Family Systems students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0704, a specialization of Human Development (CIP 19.07), and leads most directly to the Farm and Home Management Educators occupation (BLS SOC 25-9021).
About Family Systems programs
A program that focuses on the family as a social unit in its developmental, dynamic, comparative, and structural aspects, and the significance of the family as a system that impacts individuals and society. Includes instruction in related principles of sociology, psychology, behavioral sciences, and the humanities.
See also: 42.2811 - Family Psychology., 51.1505 - Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Family Systems program, part of the Human Development field, focuses on understanding the family as a social unit. It explores the developmental, dynamic, comparative, and structural aspects of families, emphasizing their impact on individuals and society. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersections of sociology, psychology, and behavioral sciences as they relate to family dynamics.
Students in the Family Systems program gain essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers principles of family dynamics, nutrition, home management, and community needs assessment, preparing graduates for various roles in family and consumer sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Family Systems graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year539 graduates / yr · 3 institutions60%
- Bachelor's degree312 graduates / yr · 11 institutions35%
- Master's degree28 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years9 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Family Systems completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 496 |
| 2013 | 574 |
| 2014 | 577 |
| 2015 | 570 |
| 2016 | 619 |
| 2017 | 634 |
| 2018 | 605 |
| 2019 | 647 |
| 2020 | 601 |
| 2021 | 528 |
| 2022 | 479 |
| 2023 | 424 |
| 2024 | 759 |
| 2025 | 903 |
Top 18 institutions for Family Systems, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 525 | 55% | $6,760 | $21,619 |
| 2 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 131 | 81% | $13,712 | $25,342 |
| 3 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 73 | 49% | — | $31,020 |
| 4 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicBachelor's | 42 | 46% | — | $35,861 |
| 5 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 40 | 62% | — | $32,836 |
| 6 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 54% | — | $27,006 |
| 7 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 13 | 69% | — | — |
| 8 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 58% | — | $32,769 |
| 9 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 52% | — | $30,835 |
| 10 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 8 | 58% | — | $35,209 |
| 11 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 51% | $25,162 | — |
| 12 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 6 | 59% | — | $35,318 |
| 13 | Lipscomb University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 72% | $24,309 | — |
| 14 | Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 49% | $24,187 | — |
| 15 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 57% | $10,199 | $34,347 |
| 16 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 17 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicDoctoral | 1 | 71% | — | — |
| 18 | East Mississippi Community College Scooba, MSPublicAssociate's | 1 | 48% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Human Development field (CIP 19.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 14 states
Where Family Systems graduates come from. Each state links to all Human Development programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 1 | 525 | Brigham Young University - Idaho525 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 173 | Brigham Young University131 / yr |
| Mississippi | 2 | 74 | University of Southern Mississippi73 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 40 | Ball State University40 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 20 | Central Washington University20 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 14 | Western Michigan University8 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 13 | Towson University13 / yr |
| Tennessee | 2 | 11 | Lipscomb University6 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 9 | Missouri State University - Springfield9 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 9 | University of Akron Main Campus9 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 8 | Lubbock Christian University8 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 5 | American Public University System5 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | Nova Southeastern University1 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | University of Kentucky1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-9021, Farm and Home Management Educators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Family Systems program can pursue careers as Farm and Home Management Educators or Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers. While the job outlook shows a decline of 2.5%, there are approximately 1,100 annual openings, with a median wage of $58,120, typically requiring a Master's degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0704
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Farm and Home Management Educatorsprimary SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Family Systems programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
- Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
- Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
- Research information requested by farmers.
- Collect and evaluate data to determine community program needs.
- Act as an advocate for farmers or farmers' groups.
Tools and technology used
Other Human Development specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Human Development (CIP 19.07).
- Child Care Provider/CIP 19.0709
Assistant 23,628 graduates / yr397 institutions - Human Development and Family StudiesCIP 19.07019,267 graduates / yr172 institutions
- Child DevelopmentCIP 19.07064,749 graduates / yr224 institutions
- Child Care and Support Services ManagementCIP 19.07084,048 graduates / yr236 institutions
- Family and Community ServicesCIP 19.07071,706 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Early Childhood and Family StudiesCIP 19.0711489 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.0799424 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Adult Development and AgingCIP 19.0702220 graduates / yr34 institutions
- Parent Education ServicesCIP 19.0712partial data157 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Developmental Services WorkerCIP 19.071078 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What is the focus of the Family Systems program?+
The program focuses on the family as a social unit and its impact on individuals and society.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Farm and Home Management Educator or a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2.5%, with about 1,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Family Systems?+
Family Systems is CIP 19.0704 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Human Development (CIP 19.07). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the family as a social unit in its developmental, dynamic, comparative, and structural aspects, and the significance of the family as a system that impacts individuals and society. Includes instruction in related principles of sociology, psychology, behavioral sciences, and the humanities.
How many institutions offer Family Systems programs?+
18 U.S. institutions reported Family Systems graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 903 credentials in the year. That is 2.0% of all Human Development graduates.
How much do Family Systems graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Farm and Home Management Educators occupation, which Family Systems most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Human Development field report median earnings of $32,769 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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