An NCFR Task Force, convened in 1988 to explore the field of family science, stated
that it is a field of study where “the primary goals are the discovery, verification and
application of knowledge” about families (NCFR Task Force, 1988). NCFR convened
a similar task force in 2014 to further consider the definition of family science
and the visibility and identity of the discipline. While this work continues, we have
chosen to use the term family science in this publication to describe the vast array of
programs preparing students to work in family research, practice, and policy. These
programs fall under a variety of department and program names including Family
Science, Family Studies, Human Development, Child Development, Family and
Consumer Sciences, Marriage and Family Therapy, and more, but all share a common
focus on the role and importance of family and family systems.