Our goal is to provide diverse course offerings in the Social Sciences and Humanities – Family Studies department to ensure multiple learning opportunities for every type of learner. There are many different pathways a student can take and there are no mandatory prerequistes allowing students to opt into our course when their timetables permit. Each course has a stimulating curriculum to allow students to connect the material to real life experiences.
“An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
~ Carl Gustav Jung
D. Salsberg (Department Head)
Special Program Opportunities
The Family Studies Department at Thornlea Secondary School offers 2 French Immersion courses, one for Gr. 9 students, and one for Gr. 11 students:
French Immersion Grade 9: Exploring Family Studies
French Immersion Grade 11U: Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology
Careers and Post-Secondary Studies
Social and Human Services
- Case manager
- Community organizer
- Counselor
- Family support worker
- Activity/recreation director
- Administrator
- Advocate
- Grant writer
- Development officer
- Researcher
Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)and Social Work (MSW)
- All of the above, at MFT or MSW licensed level
- Psychotherapist with individuals, couples, families, and groups
- Clinical case manager
- Psychosocial skills trainer
- Supervisor/manager of therapy/treatment program
- Program developer
- Researcher
- Program evaluator
Community Services
- Counselor
- Parent educator
- Youth development worker
- Sexuality educator
- Crisis/hotline worker
- Program administrator/director
- Grant-writer
- Development officer
- Program evaluator and researcher (MA/MSW or PhD)
- Clergy, pastoral care
Education
- Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)
- Teacher – preschool (BA), high school (BA with certification), or higher education (MA/MS or PhD)
- Administrator
- Advocate/policy analyst
- After school program director
- Program evaluator
- Curriculum developer
- School counselor (MA/MS)
- Family support counselor for parents of children with special needs
- Family resource coordinator
- Educational researcher (PhD)
Policy
- Family Policy analyst
- Researcher
- Lobbyist/advocate
- Legislator
Links and Research Aids
American Psychological Association- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Statistics Canada
Vanier Institute of the Family
Links to Post-Secondary Institutions offering Programs: