Family Services Major

Our family relationships can shape who we are.

And who we are in our family can influence who we are in our community. The importance of family services is to shape and assist these healthy family relationships, which in turn can lead to a greater, stronger community. 

Our family services program focuses on the theory and research on family relationships and human development, with an applied focus in order to help prepare students for work in the human services field or to attend graduate school.

Family

First in the State

Designated and approved Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) program by the National Council on Family Relations.

Make a Difference

Major prepares students for careers focused on helping people build better lives.

Multiple Options

Flexible career options and opportunities to layer in complementary minors and certificates.

Want to learn more?

Fill out your information here and we'll be in touch!

Have a specific question? Contact us directly at:

Department of Family, Aging & Counseling
235 Latham Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls IA 50614-0332
319-273-2814






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Why Family Services?

Find your path.

Students gain knowledge of individual and family development and learn preventive methods and intervention strategies needed to work with individuals and families. Students can also use electives to narrow their focus on relationships, violence, and aging. A few of the family services major requirements are: 

  • Human Identity and Relationships
  • Introductions to Relationships 
  • Growth and Development
  • Prevention and Intervention Models
  • Culture and Marriage
  • Human Sexuality Education
  • Family Relationships
Student studying

Grow your future.

The family services major prepares students for careers in helping people build better lives; with careers in agency, community, or business settings, alumni with a family services degree have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of careers:

  • Child abuse prevention programs
  • Family violence prevention/services
  • Senior activity programs
  • Long term care facilities
  • Family life/parent education programs
  • Student affairs in higher education
  • Agencies serving children and adults with special needs
  • Child and adolescent treatment facilities
  • Adult day service programs
  • Childcare programs
  • Hospitals
  • Hospices
Student working with kids

Go beyond.

Take part in research and/or an internship (your senior year, or before)! Research skills are important no matter what field you decide to go into. And internships? A huge help in finding your preferred population or future workplace setting.

Group of friends

Find your path.

Students gain knowledge of individual and family development and learn preventive methods and intervention strategies needed to work with individuals and families. Students can also use electives to narrow their focus on relationships, violence, and aging. A few of the family services major requirements are: 

  • Human Identity and Relationships
  • Introductions to Relationships 
  • Growth and Development
  • Prevention and Intervention Models
  • Culture and Marriage
  • Human Sexuality Education
  • Family Relationships
Student studying

Grow your future.

The family services major prepares students for careers in helping people build better lives; with careers in agency, community, or business settings, alumni with a family services degree have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of careers:

  • Child abuse prevention programs
  • Family violence prevention/services
  • Senior activity programs
  • Long term care facilities
  • Family life/parent education programs
  • Student affairs in higher education
  • Agencies serving children and adults with special needs
  • Child and adolescent treatment facilities
  • Adult day service programs
  • Childcare programs
  • Hospitals
  • Hospices
Student working with kids

Go beyond.

Take part in research and/or an internship (your senior year, or before)! Research skills are important no matter what field you decide to go into. And internships? A huge help in finding your preferred population or future workplace setting.

Group of friends