Department of Family and Human Services

Reddick (department chair)

(SYMBOL: FAM)

The mission of the Department of Family and Human Services is to promote the spiritual, personal, and relational well-being of its students and to equip them to serve as professionals and advocates within family life and helping professions. As such, courses emphasize the practical application of helping skills, building a theoretical foundation in the field of family science, and attunement to students’ own well-being.

Throughout the Family and Human Services program, students will not only learn how to create large-scale systemic change in communities, but also how to positively assist individuals, couples, and families towards healthy development and growth, all by examining best practices and current research and theory. Students that complete an undergraduate degree in Family and Human Services leave with a comprehensive knowledge base as well as practical experience gained through a relevant internship experience, experiential simulations in the classroom, and a senior capstone where students research, design, and develop their own family life education curriculum.

JBU’s Family and Human Services program is approved by the National Council on Family Relations and provides students opportunities to earn multiple certifications through completion of the required curriculum, including the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) Credential. Graduates from JBU’s Family and Human Services major often find career opportunities in Family or Human Services Agencies (nonprofit, faith-based, government), Community Education Organizations, Courts and Corrections Systems, Policy Analysis and Advocacy Organizations, and many more. Family and Human Services graduates also may continue their education at the master’s or PhD level in various graduate programs, including marriage and family therapy, social work, counseling, child welfare, and more.