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Registered with the Digital Government Authority under number:
20260412890The Master of Science in Family Sciences program prepares highly qualified specialists with advanced research and professional competencies in Family Sciences. The program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills required to analyze family issues, develop evidence-based family programs and interventions, and provide professional family counseling and support services that enhance family quality of life and contribute to sustainable development and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
To achieve excellence in preparing distinguished research and professional leaders in Family Sciences who contribute to enhancing family quality of life and serving society.
Preparing qualified Family Sciences specialists with advanced research and professional competencies who contribute to addressing family issues and enhancing family quality of life.
Last Modified Date: 08/07/2026 - 5:57 PM Saudi Arabia Time
| Course Code | Course | Credits | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 622 | Humanitarian and Family Organizations and Services | 3 | – |
| Description | This course examines local humanitarian, social, and family organizations and evaluates the services and programs they provide to individuals and families across different stages of life. It includes supervised field visits to relevant organizations, preparation of professional reports, and the development of proposals to improve family services and programs in accordance with family quality-of-life standards and international best practices. The course also analyzes policies governing humanitarian and family services and their role in promoting family well-being and sustainable community development. | ||
| FS 623 | Family Sciences and Community Service Projects | 3 | – |
| Description | This course introduces the concepts and principles of community service projects from the perspective of Family Sciences. It examines and analyzes local, regional, and international community service initiatives and explores opportunities to adapt successful practices to meet the needs of Saudi society. Students develop practical skills in planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based community service projects that enhance family well-being and contribute to sustainable community development. | ||
| FS 602 | Family Issues and Problems | 3 | FS 600 |
| Description | This course examines and analyzes contemporary family issues, challenges, crises, and problems in Saudi society within the framework of Islamic law and ethical values. It draws upon family theories to explore the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of family issues from both local and global perspectives. The course also provides students with practical training in analyzing the causes and consequences of major family problems, such as domestic violence and divorce, using evidence from official statistics, research studies, and reports issued by relevant authorities. Emphasis is placed on developing scientifically grounded and professionally informed strategies to prevent and address family problems and to mitigate the impact of contemporary social and cultural changes, including globalization, on family stability and well-being. | ||
| FS 695 | Research Seminar | 3 | FS 694 |
| Description | This course focuses on identifying, classifying, evaluating, and critically analyzing Arabic and English research in the field of Family Sciences. It familiarizes students with common methodological and academic writing errors in research and provides practical training in developing, presenting, and defending research proposals. Students integrate the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program to design research projects that address contemporary issues in Family Sciences. | ||
| FS 621 | Adult and Older Adult Development in the Family | 3 | – |
| Description | This course examines the biological, psychological, and social factors associated with adulthood and aging, as well as age-related developmental changes and their influence on individuals' abilities, adaptation, and quality of life within the family. The course explores major issues affecting adults and older adults in Saudi society and critically reviews research related to aging, the needs of older adults, and their participation in family and community life in light of contemporary social and demographic changes. | ||
| FS 699 | Thesis | 8 | – |
| Description | This course requires students to conduct an original research study in a specialized area of Family Sciences under the supervision of a faculty member. Students are expected to select an appropriate research topic, prepare and complete a thesis in accordance with King Abdulaziz University's graduate research regulations and the ethical standards of scientific research, and demonstrate competence in research design, data collection, analysis, and academic writing. The course also develops students' scholarly communication skills through the preparation of research suitable for publication and culminates in the successful defense of the thesis after fulfilling all program requirements. | ||
| FS 604 | Family Program Design and Development | 3 | FS 601 |
| Description | This course develops students' knowledge and skills in planning, designing, implementing, and evaluating family programs. It covers the objectives, types, planning processes, design models, program components, implementation strategies, and evaluation methods for family programs. The course also introduces contemporary technological applications that support program development and provides practical training in designing evidence-based family programs that respond to the needs of families and contribute to community development. | ||
| FS 694 | Scientific Research Methods | 3 | – |
| Description | This course introduces the fundamental concepts, significance, characteristics, methodologies, and types of scientific research. It examines diverse sources of knowledge and methods for evaluating their quality and credibility, as well as library classification systems and techniques for locating scholarly books and references. The course also develops students' competencies in critically evaluating research related to family studies, identifying research problems, and applying appropriate research methodologies to investigate issues in Family Sciences. | ||
| FS600 | Marriage and Family Relations | 3 | – |
| Description | This course examines the concepts and principles of marriage as a social institution from an Islamic perspective. It explores the role of Islamic values and ethics in establishing successful marital relationships, criteria for spouse selection, and the foundations of family formation. The course also addresses the types, patterns, functions, and dynamics of family relationships, with emphasis on the factors that promote family integration and marital adjustment. In addition, it examines contemporary marital and family issues, including marital compatibility, role conflict, and marital disputes, while discussing strategies for addressing the challenges facing Saudi families in contemporary society. | ||
| FS 601 | Family Theories and Family Development | 3 | – |
| Description | This course examines major family theories, including their historical development, key concepts, principles, assumptions, and research applications, while evaluating their relevance to family life in Saudi society. It explores the role of family theories in understanding and addressing family-related issues and examines the concept of family development from an Islamic perspective and its contribution to strengthening family stability and quality of life. The course emphasizes active student participation through the critical discussion of specialized literature and the development of practical, theory-based proposals that address the needs of Saudi families and promote sustainable family development. | ||
| FS 605 | Contemporary Trends in Family Sciences | 5 | – |
| Description | This course examines contemporary trends in Family Sciences by exploring the concept, objectives, significance, historical development, and philosophical foundations of the discipline, as well as its relationship with other fields of knowledge. It focuses on key areas of Family Sciences, including health, nutrition, psychological well-being, education, resource management, and the promotion of family and clothing identity, while considering the diversity of family structures and cultural backgrounds. The course also analyzes the scientific, social, and psychological perspectives of contemporary issues affecting families and provides students with practical skills to assess, promote, and modify attitudes and behaviors that contribute to enhancing family quality of life in Saudi society. | ||
| FS 603 | Advanced Family Counseling Across the Life Span | 3 | FS 600 |
| Description | This course examines advanced theories, contemporary approaches, and professional practices in family counseling, together with current research in the field of Family Sciences. It develops students' competencies in managing family and marital crises and conflicts using evidence-based counseling approaches and applying family counseling across different stages of the life span. The course also provides practical training in professional family services through field studies conducted in Saudi society to assess, analyze, and evaluate family needs, enabling students to design and implement effective counseling interventions that promote family well-being. | ||
