Family Services

Majors/Minors: 

Major:

Family Services, B.A.

Minor:

Family Studies

(Click major/minor/certificate title to see typical courses for the program)

School of Applied Human Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa offers four undergraduate programs to prepare professionals to work in a variety of organizations, businesses or agencies. Specializations within the school integrate aspects of science, social sciences, fine arts, business, education and economics in addressing a shared mission—that of equipping students with knowledge and skills that enable them to improve the lives of individuals and families, both at home and in the workplace. The school also offers two minors. Many non-majors take courses to meet requirements for the Liberal Arts Core, degrees in other fields or for general interest.

 

Complementary minors and certificate programs

  • Long-term care

  • Gerontology

  • Conflict resolution

  • Leadership studies

  • Youth and human services administration

  • Women’s studies minor

Careers: 
Graduates of this program will find employment in:

Youth-serving agencies

Child abuse prevention programs

Family planning agencies

Senior activity programs

Long-term care facilities

Residential treatment programs

Family violence prevention/services

Family life/parent education programs

Unique Features: 

  • Housed in Latham Hall, renovated in 1990. Features multimedia classrooms and state-of-the-art computer, design and textile testing laboratories

  • Student-oriented faculty

  • Opportunities to apply learnings in internship work experiences

  • Opportunities for involvement in undergraduate research projects, field trips, international study and applied learning experiences

  • Opportunities for professional development through participation in departmental organizations:
    Phi Upsilon Omicron national honor society
    Northern Iowa Family Services Organization (NIFSO)
    Student Interior Designers of Northern Iowa (SIDNI)
    Textile and Apparel Association (TAPP)

Activities: 

Northern Iowa Family Service Organization

Phi Upsilon Omicron

Scholarships & Awards: 

Scholarships for current majors include the Nellie Dickey Award, the Marjorie Gibson Leighty Scholarship, the Martha Shedd Scholarship and Letitia Walsh Scholarship. An award in honor of Dr. Elisabeth Sutherland Howes, department head from 1940 to 1960, is presented to an outstanding graduating senior.

More information on department scholarships can found at Financial Aid.