Program Outcomes Marriage and Family Studies
February 2015
1. Demonstrate Effective Communication Skills
 Demonstrate effective listening skills
 Communicate effectively verbally
 Demonstrate a willingness to share their perspectives with others
 Offer supportive and corrective feedback to others
 Communicate effectively in writing
 Accurately use APA style in writing
2. Effectively assess marital and family functioning in light of both research and principles
articulated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World
 Articulate the purposes of marriage and the family, both from social science and revealed
(Gospel) perspectives.
 Use Proclamation principles in assessing a range of family circumstances.
 Articulate how the factors identified in the family circumstances either facilitate healthy
function or fail to do so.
 Use principles and practices supported by research in assessing a range of family
circumstances.
3. Create practical plans for improving family functioning
 Based on assessment, create intervention plans consistent with a specific family theory
and in harmony with sound research and principles.
 Apply family systems thinking to create those plans.
 Plans must be reasonable, practical, ethical and culturally and religiously sensitive.
4. Effectively teach principles and specific behaviors which contribute to healthy family
functioning
 Understand principles and behaviors which facilitate healthy functioning within the
family
 Understand principles associated with learning and effective teaching.
 Demonstrate skills to clearly teach those principles and behaviors to others in various
settings (e.g. on-on-one, small groups, via electronic media, and in larger groups).
5. Effectively advocate for and “promote…measures designed to maintain and strengthen the
family as the fundamental unit of society" and collaborate with organizations that seek to do
the same. Identify prominent threats to the optimal well-being of children and families at the
international, national, state, local, and individual level and develop the following skills and
attributes to combat such threats:
 Understand and articulate the role of values, both sacred (Gospel) and secular, in defining
“family” and meeting the needs of children.







Identify, evaluate, and potentially join organizations that have a proven track record of
effective child and family advocacy.
Practice playing some contributing role, working cooperatively with others.
Complete a practicum (FAML 445) and internship directly related to the field, receiving
positive feedback from supervisors and co-workers
Develop and demonstrate written, verbal, and online social media skills with passion,
persuasion, and professionalism.
Identify, analyze, and appropriately employ the use of empirical social science in
professional, political, and social forums.
Understand the critical role of legislation, public policy, and religious freedom in
protecting children and families.
Cultivate a personal witness and vision that the maintaining and strengthening of the
family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
6. Demonstrate professional dispositions and personal attributes consistent with the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
Professional dispositions and Christ-like attributes are highly valued by BYU-Idaho and their
sponsor, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Along with commitment to the
BYU-Idaho Honor Code, students will:









Love and serve others. (Moroni 7:45-46)
Demonstrate commitment and reliability
Is on-time and prepared
Works well with others
Be a peacemaker ­ “a mediator, someone who calms troubled waters and helps people
resolve conflicts and disputes.” (Kim B. Clark, “The Path of the Peacemaker”,
BYU-IDAHO Devotional, 2009)
Be lifelong learners. (David A. Bednar, “Learning to Love Learning”, BYU Devotional,
2008)
Be honest and demonstrate integrity. (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 270, 1997)
Use spiritual gifts to serve others. (D&C 46:9)
Recognize and act upon spiritual impressions. (David A. Bednar, “Quick to Observe,
BYU Devotional, 2005)
7. Apply effective marriage and family principles and skills in their own families of origin and
creation.
2