Dr. Adam R. West, Associate Professor of Child & Family Services
Hi, I am Dr. Adam West. I have been a faculty member at WKU since 2010, when the Department of Applied Human Sciences was known as the Department of Consumer and Family Sciences. Currently, I serve as the program coordinator for our Master of Science in Child and Family Studies graduate program.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role at WKU is learning alongside students and helping bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-life application. I emphasize an applied approach to learning, encouraging discussions on complex topics, hands-on experiences, and engagement beyond the classroom. In both personal and professional settings, we often encounter difficult situations and decisions that may seem overwhelming. My goal is to help students develop the skills and confidence to navigate these challenges effectively.
As a licensed Certified Social Worker (CSW) and a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), I bring diverse professional and volunteer experiences into the classroom. If you’re interested in working with children and families—whether in clinical or non-clinical roles such as counseling, casework, community mental health, family life education, or youth services—I encourage you to connect with me or any of our outstanding faculty members in Child and Family Services.
If you're considering graduate school and want to explore your options, feel free to reach out. Even if you just have life questions and aren’t sure where to turn, I’m happy to help however I can!
You can locate the course descriptions by searching here.
- FACS 310 Management of Family Resources
- FACS 311 Family Relations
- FACS 410 Internship
- FACS 422 Adolescent Psychology
- FACS 495 Family and Relationship Violence
- FACS 499 Family Policy Analysis
- FACS 550 Youth and Family Theory and Research
- FACS 580 Capstone in Child & Family Studies
I am interested in a variety of research topics related to relationships and families. My experience is primarily with (1) the development of dating relationships and (2) family relationships in families that have individuals which a chronic illness. Since coming to WKU, I have partnered with Dr. Darbi on several research projects, presentations, and publications. Here are some of the topics that I have experience with or am interested in:
- Development and maintenance of romantic unions
- Commitment in premarital and early marital relationships
- Development and evaluation of romantic relationship education programs
- Parenting and parent-child relationships in the context of chronic illnesses (particularly Multiple Sclerosis)
- Romantic relationship processes in families with Multiple Sclerosis
Ph.D. Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 2013
M.S. Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 2004
B.S. Marriage, Family, and Human Development, Brigham Young University, 2002
Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), National Council on Family Relations, since 2007
Certified Social Worker (CSW), Kentucky Board of Social Work, since 2023
Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), Texas Board of Social Work Examiners, since 2004