Department of Family and Human Services

M. Hall (department chair)

(SYMBOL: FAM)

The Family and Human Services major appreciates the vital role families and relationships have on the health of individuals, communities, and society. This innovative curriculum, which follows the course guidelines of the National Council for Family Relations, incorporates Family and Human Services courses with course work from the Psychology and the Bible departments to provide the student with theological, theoretical, and practical training. The curriculum explores real issues and challenges that arise in human relationships and teaches students how to facilitate healing in people’s lives. Special attention is given to social justice issues, teaching students to advocate with and for the clients they serve. In addition to the primary program, emphasis areas are offered in Child and Adolescent Studies, Psychology, Wilderness Counseling, Pre-Counseling, Criminology, Social Justice, Leadership and Management, and Graduate Counseling Pathways.

The Family and Human Services program prepares students for careers in the many areas of social services: state organizations, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, and foster care and adoption agencies. It also provides an excellent foundation for graduate programs in marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, social work, and other related fields. A degree in Family and Human Services at John Brown University meets the standards and criteria required for the professional Certified Family Life Educator designation from the National Council on Family Relations.