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.
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?
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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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
Not your average professor
“Family Services prepares students to work with diverse populations while acknowledging an individual’s most important relationships. A meaningful outcome of the family services field is you not only develop the skills necessary to help others, but you benefit personally by applying the knowledge gained.”
– Nathan Taylor, Assistant Professor of Family Services
Panther POV
“Being a Family Services major offered me the opportunity to think critically about myself and my role in this world. I gained real-world experience through volunteer opportunities, service-learning placements, and my internship. I feel confident that I can go out into the world and make an impact wherever I go.”
– Emily Shotzko, ‘21
Explore ...
You have a passion and a bold vision for your future. We have the tools to bring that dream to life. Curious about grad school? Want to learn more about becoming a Certified Family Life Educator? Find your answers here.