Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Human Development and Family Sciences, Comprehensive Major (B.S.)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Programs

All emphases in this major have an applied as well as a theoretical orientation. The major emphasizes a developmental life-span approach to individual and family change. The influence of family relations, prevention, and wellness on one another is the guiding principle in all programs.

All students will enter Human Development and Family Sciences as a major with one of four emphases: Family Relations, Prevention, and Wellness; Family Social Services; Child Development; or Adult Development and Aging.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Limited Retention Requirements for Human Development and Family Sciences


In order to continue enrollment in Family Social Services or Child Development, students must maintain a 2.40 cumulative NIU GPA after a total of 45 post-secondary semester hours earned and a grade of C or better in the following courses:

In addition:


Additionally, Child Development or Family Social Services majors beyond 45 post-secondary semester hours, students must maintain a 2.40 NIU GPA and obtain a grade of C or better in the following courses:

Note:


Students not meeting these requirements will be changed to Emphasis 1: Family Relations, Prevention, and Wellness.

Emphasis 1. Family Relations, Prevention, and Wellness


This emphasis provides career enhancement for students who have prior work experience with individuals and/or families, or who plan to pursue a career in secondary education, or higher education in human development and family sciences and related fields. It is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in related fields with a research rather than a service focus.

Requirements in School (42)


Sub-emphasis 2: Family Resiliency and Prevention (9)


Sub-emphasis 3: Family Relations Over the Life Span (9


Requirements outside School (21-23)


One of the following (3-4)


Total Hours for Emphasis 1, Family Relations, Prevention, and Wellness: 63-65


Special Requirements


Prior to enrolling in HDFS 398, the following must be completed:

  • fingerprint-based criminal background check;
  • completed application required to meet posted deadlines

Professional liability insurance is provided through a course fee.
 

Emphasis 2. Family Social Services


This emphasis is intended for students who seek entry-level employment in family service, family life education, mental health, or community welfare agencies which serve primarily older children, adolescents, adults, couples, and/or the elderly. It is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in social work, human development and family sciences, marriage and family therapy, and related fields.

Requirements in School (52-55)


Select one of the following areas of study:


Child Welfare Services (9)

Prevention and Intervention with Family (12)

Leadership and Policy Studies (12)

Requirements outside School (15-17)


One of the following (3-4)


Total Hours for Emphasis 2, Family Social Services: 67-72


Special Requirements


Complete a total of 100 certified hours of approved community service, at least 50 hours completed prior to enrolling in HDFS 383 and the balance completed prior to enrolling in HDFS 491. Prior to registering for HDFS 491, NIU must have a signed affiliation agreement with the agency where the student will be serving their internship.

A grade of C or better in HDFS 180 is a prerequisite for enrolling in HDFS 382, a grade of C or better in HDFS 382 is a prerequisite for enrollment in HDFS 383. Prerequisites for enrollment in the internship HDFS 491 are an overall GPA of at least 2.40 in NIU course work at the time of application for the internship, completion of HDFS 180, HDFS 382, HDFS 383, and HDFS 481 with a grade of C or better, and consent of the school. Professional liability insurance is provided through a course fee. Application is required in September for internships during the following spring and summer terms. In the semester prior to enrollment in HDFS 491, students are required to attend monthly meetings. Students must complete HDFS 491 with a grade of C or better.

To qualify for the Family Social Services (FSS) and the Certified Family Life Education internship, students must pass a criminal background check that is conducted through the College of Health and Human Sciences. However, students are responsible for the cost of this background check. Background check must be completed by November 15 for spring internships and April 15 for summer internships. Students are also requested to read the information supplied on each link on the following web page Clinical/Special Requirements - NIU - Family and Consumer Sciences to know more about the process.

Students not meeting the requirements for entry into the internship may, with the consent of the school, change to Emphasis 1: Family Relations, Prevention, and Wellness, in order to complete graduation requirements.

B.S. Completion in Emphasis 2


This completion program is limited to students with an Applied Associate of Science degree in human development and family studies from City Colleges of Chicago. Upon successful completion at NIU of at least 7 semester hours of HDFS 491 with a grade of C or better, the student will receive a total of 9 semester hours credit for: HDFS 488, HDFS 491 and one 3 credit upper division elective. The required community service hours will be waived for students who have completed an Associates of Applied Science in Human Development & Family Studies from the City Colleges of Chicago. Graduates of other community colleges with similar programs can petition the School of Family and Consumer Sciences for a review of their transcripts.

Emphasis 3. Child Development


This emphasis provides preparation for professionals who serve infants, toddlers, and young children and their parents in both home- and community-based parent-child and parenting programs, in child-life, early intervention, and early childhood education programs, and in leadership/ advocacy positions. With this preparation, graduates are qualified to apply for an Early Childhood Core Credential Level V, the Infant/Toddler Credential Level V, and an Early Intervention Developmental Therapist credential. Except for developmental therapy, students apply for credentialing through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies found at https://www.ilgateways.com. Students apply for developmental therapy credentialing through Provider Connections found at https://providerconnections.org/applications-overview. In addition, the emphasis provides the foundation for the Illinois Director Credential Level II when combined with previous or concurrent administrative hours or NIU practicum hours. Students interested in the Illinois Director Credential have specific coursework requirements and should proceed through the emphasis in consultation with their advisor. The Child Development Emphasis is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in child development, infant mental health, human development and family sciences, and related fields.

Requirements in School (54-63)


One of the following areas of study (9-18)


A minimum of 3 credits from the following (3)

Leadership Studies (9-12)

Requirements outside School (15-16)


One of the following (3-4)


Total Hours for Emphasis 3, Child Development: 69-79


Special Requirements


Students must earn a grade of C or better in HDFS 230 or EPS 304 or PSYC 324 in order to enroll in HDFS 330, HDFS 331, and HDFS 332. Students are required to attend mandatory meetings every fall and spring semester prior to enrollment in HDFS 490.

At the time of enrolling in HDFS 490, the following prerequisites must be completed:

  • declaration as a major in emphasis 3;
  • an overall GPA of at least 2.40 in all NIU course work;
  • completion of 50 hours of approved community service in a child development agency (completed after admission to program and prior to admission to HDFS 490);
  • completion of HDFS 230 or PSYC 324, HDFS 231, HDFS 330, HDFS 330A, HDFS 331, HDFS 331A, HDFS 332, HDFS 332A, and HDFS 399 with a C or better, and HDFS 432.
  • meet DCFS licensing requirements for personnel, including:
    • physical and mental competencies that do not interfere with child care responsibilities,
    • verification of a nonreactive two step tuberculin skin test and physical exam within the last 6 months,
    • fingerprint-based criminal background check,
    • 3 letters of reference,
    • certification in first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
    • proof of Illinois Network of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies’ Gateway Registry.
  • and consent of the school.
  • Professional liability insurance is provided through a course fee.

Students must complete HDFS 490 with a grade of C or better. Students electing the study area of parent/infant or child life specialist must have taken HDFS 439 or be concurrently enrolled in it when taking HDFS 490. Students not meeting the requirements for entry into the practicum or internship may, with the consent of the school, change to the Emphasis in Family Relations, Prevention, and Wellness in order to complete graduation requirements. HDFS 494 is designed only for students who are pursuing the Illinois Gateways Director Credential Certificate level 2.

B.S. Completion in Emphasis 3 

 

This program is limited to students holding an Applied Associate of Science degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related area.  Upon successful completion of specific, designated major requirements taken at NIU, qualified students may use proficiency credit where reviewed and awarded to fulfill the requirements for the NIU HDFS Child Development emphasis.  In addition, to receive the B. S. degree, students must satisfy all other university graduation and major requirements. Though degree completion students are exempt from the NIU residency requirement, Child Development degree completion students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at NIU, excluding proficiency credit. 
 
Those interested in the B. S. degree completion program in Child Development should visit: https://www.chhs.niu.edu/facs/programs/human-development/bachelor-degree/child-development.shtml for more information regarding applying to the program.  Contingent upon the curriculum of the individual A.A.S. degree institution, students may receive proficiency credit for the following Child Development major course work: HDFS 230, HDFS 280, HDFS 284, HDFS 231, HDFS 330, HDFS 330A, HDFS 331, HDFS 331A, HDFS 332, and HDFS 332A.  Additional proficiency credit up to 30 semester hours may be awarded.

Emphasis 4. Adult Development and Aging


This emphasis is designed to prepare professionals for careers in aging, including careers related to administration, housing, wellness, community service, public policy, and/or fields requiring further graduate study, such as counseling or research. Students wishing to sit for the Illinois Nursing Home Administrator licensure exam should follow a leadership path through these courses in consultation with their advisor.

Requirements in school: (39)


Special Prerequisites


Student’s enrollment in GERO 467 requires successful completion of a criminal background check through the College of Health and Human Sciences (fees apply).

Total Hours for Emphasis 4, Adult Development and Aging: 60


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Programs