Family Communication, Certificate
Discover how communication shapes family relationships, conflict, caregiving and development across life's stages. Build a communication portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge and prepares you for graduate study and people-centered careers.
Quick facts
Locations
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Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Family Communication undergraduate certificate description
In the certificate program in family communication, you focus on issues that affect communication within the family. This program complements the communication program by bringing together an array of courses with implications for the family unit, such as new media and health courses. You are also encouraged to take courses in other disciplines that complement the family-related communication courses.
Why earn a family communication undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Where many programs examine family relationships through a single disciplinary lens, this New College undergraduate certificate invites you to study from more than one angle.
You can connect with CommLab ASU as you build your skills.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 19 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in family communication consists of 19 credit hours of coursework, of which a minimum of 13 hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be earned through courses offered by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. All courses used to satisfy requirements for the certificate must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better. |
||
|
COM 312 Communication, Conflict, and Negotiation
(CIVI)
or
COM 410 Advanced Interpersonal Communication
or
COM 417 Communication and Aging
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
COM 411 Communication in the Family
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
COM 485 Communication Portfolio
1 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 1 |
| Family Communication Electives | ||
|
Students must complete courses from at least two different areas below. Students must also complete at least two courses outside of the COM subject.
|
||
|
Students must complete courses from at least two different areas below. Students must also complete at least two courses outside of the COM subject.
Social and Cultural Elements of the Family Electives: Health and Family Development Electives: Technology, Media and the Family Electives: Community Application Electives:
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Students must complete courses from at least two different areas below. Students must also complete at least two courses outside of the COM subject.
Social and Cultural Elements of the Family Electives: Health and Family Development Electives: Technology, Media and the Family Electives: Community Application Electives:
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Synthesize theories and concepts relevant to family communication literature in a specific communication context (e.g., partner abuse, discipline of children, family conflict).
- Design communication materials that convey best practices in family communication based on theory and research.
Synthesize theories and concepts relevant to family communication literature in a specific communication context (e.g., partner abuse, discipline of children, family conflict).Enrollment requirements
This certificate program is open to students in any major. Students who wish to pursue the certificate should consult an academic advisor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences to ensure that an appropriate set of courses is taken.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before an undergraduate degree is completed. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this family communication undergraduate certificate prepares you for
This is a valuable certificate for students who plan to enter careers or graduate study in fields such as psychology, counseling, family studies, social work, medicine, nursing, law, aging, pastoral care, human services, media or communication technology.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
FAB N101
sbsadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
