Child, Adult, and Family Services

Child, Adult, and Family Services brochure (PDF)

Child, Adult, and Family Services course catalog

As communities adapt to changing statewide and national demographics, the Child, Adult, and Family Services major will prepare you to work with people from the very young to the very old. You will help them learn skills and strategies in education, child care, youth development, family interaction, conflict resolution, and addiction/abuse treatment.

For individuals and families facing life’s challenge, such as alcohol or substance abuse, immigration, family conflict, and death, finding support can be difficult. Students graduating with a degree in child, adult, and family services are trained to help people of all ages cope and conquer obstacles in order to lead a better, more fulfilling life.

Curriculum requirements

Child, Adult, and Family Services curriculum requirements, 2012-13 (PDF)

General Education Selections, 2012-2013 (PDF)

Options sheet

Child, Adult, and Family Services program options, 2012-13 (PDF)

Child program: An option in the child program will prepare you to work with very young children, ages birth to 8 years, developing parental education programs, providing quality child care, advising families on critical issues, preventing child abuse, and advocating for child-friendly legislation.
Youth program: The youth program option curriculum focuses on adolescents and young adults, with course work in family interaction, special needs education, and adolescent development. Graduates have found their career niches as youth service providers, 4-H coordinators, halfway-house managers, and juvenile court probation officers.
Adult/family program: In the adult/family program option, you will be knowledgeable in the areas of family development and theory, conflict resolution, and abuse treatment. Potential career paths include adoption/foster care specialist, addiction counselor, and program/activity coordinator.

4-year plans

Child program option - Child, Adult, and Family Services, 4-year plan 2012-13 (PDF)

Youth program option - Child, Adult, and Family Services, 4-year plan_2012-13 (PDF)

Adult and Family program option - Child, Adult, and Family Services_4-year plan 2012-13 (PDF)

Minors

Information on minors

Current and past course syllabi

For current and recent class syllabus examples go to the Class Websites page for Human Development and Family Studies.

Scholarships and financial aid

The Human Development and Family Studies scholarship page includes an online application form and list of scholarships. The online form is available from November through February each year.

Career possibilities

Careers working with children:

Preschool teacher
Childcare administrator
Foster care or adoption specialist
Child advocate
Volunteer coordinator for child services
Child service organization director
Child life specialist
Grief counselor

Careers working with youth:

Volunteer youth services coordinator
Youth services organization executive director
Youth services organization program consultant
Adolescent pregnancy preventionist
Addiction specialist
Grief counselor
Homeless youth outreach coordinator
Youth counselor
Youth services director
Juvenile court officer
Camp counselor

Careers working with families and adults:

Addiction counselor
Adoption/foster care specialist
Program coordinator
Volunteer coordinator
Organization executive director
Organization program consultant
Parent educator
Grief counselor
Protective service worker
Family planning consultant

To do now: ways to prepare for this program

Volunteer at organizations that serve children, youth, families, and older adults.

Internships

View Child, Adult, and Family Services student internship experiences at Career Connections.

Students majoring in child, adult, and family services are required to complete a 320-360 hour internship during their senior year with the goal of applying the knowledge learned in the classroom to a work setting. Students find and choose an internship site themselves with the support and guidance from the HDFS department internship coordinator. Internships can be completed in Iowa, out of state, and even internationally. More »

Faculty

Brenda Lohman, an associate professor in Human Development and Family Studies, is leading the Three-City Teacher Survey (TCTS), which supplements the assessment of economic, academic, and social competencies among low-income, urban children and adolescents who face multiple family and community risks. She, along with other faculty members in HDFS, use examples of ongoing research to enhance classroom learning.

Human Development and Family Studies faculty list

Facilities

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is housed in the Palmer Building, which is also home to the ISU Child Development Laboratory School and the Financial Counseling Clinic.

In addition to these facilities, students will have access high tech classrooms, computer labs, and the Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching (CTLT).