Human Development and Family Studies - B.S.
| COLLEGE: | College of Education, Health and Human Services |
| DEPARTMENT: | School of Lifespan Development and Educational Services 405 White Hall Tel: 330-672-2294 Web: http://www.ehhs.kent.edu/ldes |
| DESCRIPTION: | Students must declare a pre-major in human development and family studies until they have earned minimum 2.50 GPA in the requirements outlined below, with minimum 3.00 GPA in the three HDFS courses. The purpose of the pre-major in human development and family studies requirement is to ensure that majors have adequate preparation necessary to successfully complete upper-division human development and family studies courses, including a senior-level practicum (HDFS 44092), which provides students with professional training in the field of human/social services. The Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies comprises six concentrations: Case Management for Individuals and Families, Child and Youth Development, Family Life Education, Gerontology, Gerontology and Nursing Home Administration and Human Services Technology. The Case Management for Individuals and Families concentration provides training in needs assessment and the utilization of available public and private resources. Graduates are eligible for securing positions in a wide array of social service agencies. The Child and Youth Development concentration prepares students for working with children and adolescents in non-school settings such as residential treatment, group care community youth services, foster care and after-school programs. Graduates are able to design and deliver developmentally appropriate programs, preparing children and youth for productive adulthood by emphasizing skills and competency development. The curriculum prepares students for provisional national certification as child and youth care professionals. The Family Life Education concentration prepares graduates to develop and implement family life programs in a variety of education and human service settings. Graduates are eligible to apply to be Certified Family Life Educators (CFLE), a credential granted by the National Council on Family Relations. The Gerontology concentration prepares graduates for professional positions in the diverse field of aging, including health and wellness, community-based social services, retirement communities, adult-care centers and nursing homes. The curriculum provides students with a solid understanding of typical age-related changes and how these changes affect a person physiologically, psychologically and socially. A minor in gerontology is also offered. Through coursework, research experiences and practicum students develop expertise in gerontology while completing requirements in their selected major. The Gerontology and Nursing Home Administration concentration qualifies students for employment as administrators in long-term care settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and congregate living settings. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Nursing Homes Administrator's Licensure Examination offered by the Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA). The curriculum in this program is BENHA-approved. According to the U.S. Census, 20 percent of the total population will be 65 or older by 2030. Because of the increasing number of older persons and the fact that people are generally living longer, there is a growing need for people to work in the field of aging. Both the four-year concentration and minor provide strong interdisciplinary knowledge base, research skills and preparation for graduate study in a wide variety of disciplines, such as human development and family studies, sociology, public administration, nursing and exercise science. Students are eligible to join Kappa Omicron Nu, a national honorary in gerontology. The Human Services Technology concentration is for associate degree holders and is offered at the Ashtabula and Salem campuses. This program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in a variety of human service agencies, including child and family welfare agencies, mental health centers, mental retardation and developmental disability facilities, and substance abuse treatment centers. |
| CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: |
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections for 2006-2016 include a 73 percent increase in the number of jobs in individual and family services. Students graduating with a degree in HDFS are not eligible for social work licensure, but may find employment in social work type jobs. Social workers held about 595,000 jobs in 2006. About five out of 10 jobs were in health care and social assistance industries and three out of 10 are employed by state and local government agencies, primarily in departments of health and human services. Although most social workers are employed in cities or suburbs, some work in rural areas. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
| ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: |
Students admitted to the College of Education, Health, and Human Services as freshmen must have been fully admitted to the university. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program and Community Health, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.75 high school GPA and 16 units of college preparatory curriculum or a 21 ACT or 980 SAT score. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements of their intended major may enroll as pre-majors for selected programs or EHHS General until which time they have the required 2.75 GPA. |
| GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: |
Minimum 121 credit hours. Minimum 2.25 major GPA and 2.0 cumulative GPA. |
| LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: |
None |
| STUDY ABROAD/AWAY OPPORTUNITIES: | There are many study abroad/away opportunities, for more information contact the Office of International Affairs. |
| PROGRAM FEE: | $35/semester |
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