Best colleges for Work and Family Studies
An introductory program that focuses on family and consumer science concepts and principles at the basic and vocational levels, and the various potential career paths open to interested students.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 6 Work and Family Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.1001, a specialization of Work and Family Studies (CIP 19.10), and leads most directly to the Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1192).
About Work and Family Studies programs
An introductory program that focuses on family and consumer science concepts and principles at the basic and vocational levels, and the various potential career paths open to interested students. Includes instruction in career, community, and family connections; family and family/consumer resources; human development; interpersonal relationships; nutrition and wellness; parenting; and career possibilities in various related areas.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Work and Family Studies program offers an introductory exploration of family and consumer science concepts and principles. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the dynamics of family life, community connections, and consumer resources. It provides a foundational education for those looking to pursue careers in related fields.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework covers topics including human development, nutrition and wellness, parenting, and the various career possibilities within family and consumer sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Work and Family Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Work and Family Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 6 |
Top 1 institutions for Work and Family Studies, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan College Farmington, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 37% | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where Work and Family Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Work and Family Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 1 | 6 | San Juan College6 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1192, Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Work and Family Studies program can pursue careers as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.4%, approximately 200 annual openings, and a median wage of $77,280, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.1001
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other SOC 25-1069 | $72,990 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~1,500 | 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 Work and Family Studies 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
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, projects, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as food science, nutrition, and child care.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What is the duration of the Work and Family Studies program?+
The program awards credentials for at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can become a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher or pursue other related positions in social sciences.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.4% and approximately 200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Work and Family Studies?+
Work and Family Studies is CIP 19.1001 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Work and Family Studies (CIP 19.10). NCES defines it as: An introductory program that focuses on family and consumer science concepts and principles at the basic and vocational levels, and the various potential career paths open to interested students. Includes instruction in career, community, and family connections; family and family/consumer resources; human development; interpersonal relationships; nutrition and wellness; parenting; and career possibilities in various related areas.
How many institutions offer Work and Family Studies programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Work and Family Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 6 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Work and Family Studies graduates.
How much do Work and Family Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Work and Family Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $75,870 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Work and Family Studies graduates, so its figures match the Work and Family Studies program page.
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