Human Development and Family Studies

Program Introduction

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to individual and family development across the lifespan, providing opportunities for students to study how people develop physically, emotionally and socially within the context of the family and society. The program focuses on child and adolescent development, adult development and aging, biological aspects of human development, family studies, intervention research and developmental research methods. Students learn about the stages of development from infancy to adulthood and how to promote healthy family development.

The Human Development and Family Studies major comprises the following concentrations that can be completed in it's entirety at the Salem Campus:

• The Human Services concentration is a completer program for students who hold an associate degree in human services. This program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in a variety of human service agencies, including child and family welfare agencies, mental health centers, developmental disability facilities and substance abuse treatment centers.
• The Family Life Education concentration prepares graduates to develop and implement educational programming for parents, couples, and families in a variety of education and human service settings. Family life educators teach individuals and families effective communication skills, positive self-esteem, parenting skills and healthy interpersonal skills. Graduates are eligible to apply to be certified family life educators (CFLE), a credential granted by the National Council on Family Relations.

This Program is Right For You If You

• Be a beacon of hope for struggling children and families
• Break the chains of addiction as a skilled treatment provider
• Provide care, dignity and empowerment for our aging community
• Advocate—becoming a voice for the oppressed and silenced

This Program Will Teach You

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Identify physical, cognitive, emotional and social dimensions of human development and family relationships.
• Identify reciprocal influences of family, school, work, and community contexts on human development.
• Identify practical implications of human development and family relationship concepts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of program development, delivery and evaluation.
• Access scholarly sources and critically evaluate the quality of empirical research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods and principles of research.
• Effectively communicate ideas in oral presentations and written papers.
• Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families.
• Apply knowledge of human development and family relationships through involvement with and study of diverse domestic and international populations.
• Identify opportunities for advanced training in human development and family studies and related professions.
• Identify opportunities for employment in human development and family studies and related professions.

Accreditation

The Nursing Home Administration concentration: National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Freshman Students on the Regional Campuses: Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.