Bachelor of Science in Family Sciences Help Build Stronger Families and Communities Through Service

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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Available Spring 2026
Discover How an Online Bachelor’s in Family Sciences Can Help Prepare You to Serve Others
Families shape the foundation of society, and you may feel called to help strengthen them. With Liberty’s online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Family Sciences, you can explore practical ways to support children, parents, and communities. This degree is designed to provide you with hands-on knowledge in areas such as family dynamics, counseling support, and community engagement.
In this program, you’ll study how families grow, change, and face challenges. From childhood development to financial decision-making, you can work to develop the skills to foster healthy relationships and provide resources that make a meaningful difference. Classes are online, so you can complete your studies from anywhere with an internet connection while preparing for a career that puts people first.
At Liberty, our courses weave in a values-driven approach. You’ll not only study the academic side of family sciences but also how to approach this field with integrity, compassion, and a heart for serving others.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Bachelor of Science (BS) in Family Sciences.





What is the field of family science?
Family science is the study of families and their functioning in various social, cultural, and economic contexts. This field looks at topics such as child development, marriage and family relationships, family decision-making, and community support systems. By earning a degree in family sciences, you’ll explore how strong family relationships can shape healthier individuals and communities.
What Will You Study in Our Bachelor’s Degree in Family Sciences?
This program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how families evolve, change, and confront challenges. You’ll study the basics of human development so you can see how people’s needs shift from childhood through adulthood. That foundation can help you understand what a healthy family life looks like and what can disrupt it.
Additionally, you’ll study how families work in today’s world. You’ll look at topics like parenting, cultural influences, financial decision-making, and the ways communities can provide support. These courses are designed to connect directly to real-life situations, so you’ll be able to think about how what you’re studying could apply to everyday family interactions.
Furthermore, your focus will shift to more advanced topics. You’ll explore how to respond to challenges like behavioral issues in children, ethical concerns, and family conflict. You can also gain an understanding of how to design and manage programs that strengthen family and child well-being. Toward the end of your degree, you’ll complete a capstone class that pulls all your learning together and gives you a chance to apply your skills in a meaningful way.
Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor the degree to your interests. If you choose the marriage and family track, you can focus more closely on relational dynamics. Other options allow you to study child development or faith-based approaches to family support. You’ll also have free electives that give you the freedom to explore areas that connect to your passions and future goals.
Featured Courses
- FACS 203 – Introduction to Family Sciences
- FACS 350 – Family Economic Decisions
- FACS 385 – Ethical and Legal Issues in Family Sciences
- FACS 470 – Internal Dynamics of Families
Course guides coming soon
Degree Information
- This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences.
- View the Undergraduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Bachelor’s in Family Sciences?
Choosing where to earn your degree is a significant decision, and Liberty works diligently to ensure your education is both practical and meaningful. Our online bachelor’s in family sciences is designed with flexibility in mind, so you can pursue your studies without putting your life on hold. Whether you’re balancing work, family, or ministry responsibilities, you can have the freedom to study on your schedule while still receiving a high-quality education.
What makes Liberty stand out is the way we blend academic excellence with a values-driven perspective. This means your courses don’t just focus on knowledge and skills – they also encourage you to think about how to serve others with integrity, compassion, and purpose. Many students who pursue this type of program are drawn to careers where they can make a direct impact on families and communities, and Liberty’s approach helps you prepare for that in a well-rounded way.
As an online student, you’ll gain access to the same support and resources that residential students enjoy. That includes the Jerry Falwell Library, where you can search millions of online books, journals, and articles from all over the world. You’ll also have access to digital tools, including research databases, writing resources, and apps such as Logos Bible Software, to support your studies.
On top of that, Liberty’s online community is diverse, giving you opportunities to connect with classmates from different backgrounds and perspectives. This experience can broaden your understanding of family life across cultures.
When you choose Liberty, you’re not just completing courses – you’re joining a university committed to equipping students for service and leadership. That commitment can help you grow academically, professionally, and personally as you prepare for your next steps.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Potential Careers Opportunities for BS in Family Sciences Graduates
- Child development specialist
- Community outreach coordinator
- Early childhood program coordinator
- Family advocate
- Family ministry coordinator
- Family program coordinator
- Human services worker
- Nonprofit program support staff
- Youth program director
Degree Options for Our Online Family Sciences Bachelor’s Degree
Every student’s path is unique, and Liberty’s online BS in Family Sciences gives you the flexibility to shape your degree around your passions. You can stick with a broad, general track that covers multiple areas of family sciences, or you can choose a focused option that lets you dive deeper into specific topics. Each path is designed to help you connect your studies to the kind of work you want to do after graduation.
Child Development
Our Bachelor of Science in Family Sciences – Child Development specialization dives deeper into early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence, helping prepare you to support children and families at each stage of growth.
Degree Completion Plan coming soon
Christian Care and Support
The Bachelor of Science in Family Sciences – Christian Care and Support adds Christian counseling courses to help you understand how faith can play a role in supporting families through life’s challenges.
Degree Completion Plan coming soon
General
The Bachelor of Science in Family Sciences – General gives you a broad study of family sciences with the flexibility to choose electives that match your goals.
Degree Completion Plan coming soon
Marriage and Family
Our Bachelor of Science in Family Sciences – Marriage and Family focuses on relational dynamics within marriage and family systems, including strategies for supporting healthy relationships.
Degree Completion Plan coming soon

Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
Undergraduate Full Time | $390/Credit |
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Undergraduate Part Time | $455/Credit |
Military Undergraduate | $250/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online Family Sciences Bachelor’s Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9595.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores.*
- Students may be allowed to enroll in up to 12 credit hours with Liberty with the submission of our High School Self-Certification Form (login required – you will first need to claim your Liberty Account).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system).
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.
Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Transcript Policies
High School Transcript Policy
Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.
- Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.
Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.
The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.
Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Military Transfers
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
International Applicants
If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
- Potential college credit for military training
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions for BS in Family Sciences Degrees
Does this program lead to licensure?
No, this degree is not designed to meet licensure requirements. However, the skills you gain can help prepare you for graduate study in counseling, social work, or related fields if you decide to pursue a license in the future.
What makes Liberty’s program unique?
Liberty combines academic training in family sciences with a values-driven approach. You’ll study family systems, child development, and program leadership while also exploring how to apply these concepts with integrity and compassion.
What skills can you gain in the online family sciences degree?
In Liberty’s online family sciences bachelor’s degree, you can develop both interpersonal and professional skills. These include communication, leadership, conflict resolution, program planning, and problem-solving. You’ll also discover how to analyze family systems, understand child development, and support families facing real-life challenges.
A family sciences major online provides unique skills that combine research-based knowledge with practical application. You can learn how to design and lead family programs, address ethical and legal issues in family life, and provide support for children with behavioral needs. Unlike many general social science degrees, family science degrees are tailored to help prepare students for careers directly focused on family well-being. Employers in community services, nonprofits, and educational settings often seek graduates with this combination of people skills and practical knowledge.
Why study family science?
Studying family science gives you the chance to make a direct impact on the lives of others. Families are the foundation of society, and this field offers you a way to strengthen them through education, advocacy, and service. Whether you want to work in community outreach, child development, or faith-based support, a bachelor’s degree in family sciences can help open doors to careers where you serve people and build stronger communities.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
Have questions?