Program Overview

Introduction to the School of Family and Consumer Sciences

The School of Family and Consumer Sciences is part of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Northern Illinois University. The school offers various academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, minors, and certificate programs.

Academic Programs

The school offers the following academic programs:

• B.S. in Fashion Merchandising
• Minor in Fashion Merchandising
• Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Visual Merchandising
• B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences
• Minor in Family and Child Studies
• Minor in Financial Counseling
• Minor in Gerontology
• Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Leadership in Aging Services
• M.S. in Applied Human Development and Family Sciences
• M.S. Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy
• M.S. Specialization in Leadership in Aging Studies
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Family and Child Development (Online)
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Gerontology
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (Online)
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Leadership in Aging Services (Online)

B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences

The B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences program offers several emphases, including:

• Family Relations, Prevention and Wellness
• Family Social Services
• Child Development
• Adult Development and Aging

Family Relations, Prevention and Wellness

This emphasis is intended for students with prior work experience in the field or who wish to continue directly to graduate school, particularly with an academic focus. A minimum GPA of 2.20 is required for admission, although a GPA as high as 2.60 may be needed due to the competitive nature of the program.

Family Social Services

This emphasis includes a pre-professional sequence leading to an internship. A minimum GPA of 2.20 is required for admission, although a GPA as high as 2.50 may be needed due to the competitive nature of the program. Students are required to complete 50 hours of volunteer work prior to enrollment in HDFS 382 and 100 hours prior to enrollment in HDFS 431.

Child Development

This emphasis offers several areas of study, including:

• Parent/Infant Specialist
• Child Life
• Leadership A minimum GPA of 2.20 is required for admission, although a GPA as high as 2.60 may be needed due to the competitive nature of the program. Students gain practical experience working with children in the NIU Child Development and Family Center, which is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

• The family and child studies major changed to human development and family sciences beginning in the fall semester of 2017.
• Completion of the program in four years is possible if general education requirements are completed at the end of the sophomore year and the student is accepted into the department during their sophomore year.
• The competitive nature of the admission process varies by emphasis and over time, with a minimum GPA of 2.20 required for admission to any of the emphases.
• Graduates with a degree in human development and family sciences can pursue various career paths, and the emphases with an internship or practicum are designed to facilitate employability.

Family Relations, Prevention and Wellness

• A minimum GPA of 2.20 is required for admission to this emphasis.
• This emphasis does not include an internship.

Family Social Services

• A minimum GPA of 2.20 is required for admission to this emphasis.
• This emphasis is not exactly the same as a degree in social work, but graduates are often eligible for jobs requiring the equivalent of a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.).
• Students are required to complete 50 hours of volunteer work prior to enrollment in HDFS 382 and 100 hours prior to enrollment in HDFS 431.
• The internship is typically completed in the final semester before graduation.

Child Development

• A minimum GPA of 2.20 is required for admission to this emphasis.
• The child development emphasis offers several areas of study, including parent/infant specialist, child life, and leadership.
• Students gain practical experience working with children in the NIU Child Development and Family Center.
• Graduates of the parent/infant specialist area of study are eligible to receive the Infant Toddler Credential Certificate Level 5 through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA).
• Graduates of the child life area of study can pursue certification as a child life specialist through the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Graduates of the leadership area of study are eligible to receive the Illinois Director Credential Certificate-Level 2 through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA).