Human Services - Child and Family Studies Concentration

About this Composite Major

- Two adults and a child walking on a sidewalk at dusk.

The Human Services major prepares you to meet the growing demand for human service workers, whose occupations encompass a broad range of helping professions. The program combines courses from the disciplines of communications, sociology, and psychology to provide an overall understanding of the field. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and to develop the skills necessary to function as a human services professional.

The Child and Family Studies concentration in the Human Services major prepares graduates who strive to work with a wide range of client populations in a variety of settings. The curriculum provides flexibility through a broader range of multidisciplinary course options, including education, communication, psychology, sociology, management, economics, and health and physical education. After completing a core set of classes, students work with their advisor to tailor elective courses to meet their personal professional objectives.

Meet a Student

“I have gained many skills throughout my college career including empathy, interpersonal communication, problem solving, and analytical thinking. The biggest part of my job is interviewing clients. In order for clients to open up about scary subjects they need to feel comfortable with me. These skills have improved my interviewing, report writing, and objective analysis of family dynamics.” - Sheri Rosenau, class of 2018

“The human services field is important because it focuses on the well-being of individuals. It helps people achieve self-sufficiency and the ability to live a better life.” - Karsyn Maine, class of 2023

Career Opportunities

: A VCSU elementary education student teacher works with a student at table.

Students pursuing the Child and Family Studies concentration of the Human Services major prepare themselves for a range of careers focused on the needs of children and/or families in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. The rewarding careers include, but are not limited to:

K-12 paraprofessional
Preschool and daycare center management
After-school program direction
Work in healthcare and social services agencies

As in the general Human Services concentration, graduates also may pursue careers, including:

Youth worker
Social services liaison
Director of residential facilities
Family support worker
Residential counselor
Life skills instructor
Client advocate
Case manager
Intake interviewer
Community organizer
Home health aide
Social work (with completion of a master’s degree in social work)

Explore Human Services

National Organization for Human Services

North Dakota Department of Human Services – Children & Family Services

United States Administration for Children & Families

Bureau of Labor Statistics – Community and Social Service Occupations

Practical Experience

Completion of an internship is required. Majors who have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 are eligible to apply for semester-long internships, for which students earn 3-12 credit hours. The internship provides supervised training in various regional agencies and service organizations. Students have completed their internships in various places, such as Head Start, K-12 public schools, Sheyenne Care Center and other long-term care facilities, and Barnes County Social Services.

Contact Information

Department Chair & Faculty Contact

Dr. Emily Fenster, emily.fenster@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7313

Department Location

McFarland Hall 315, (701) 845-7301

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems ²
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology ²
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology ¹
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹: Required
²: Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
COMM 311	Communication and Interviewing	3
COMM 483	Organizational Communication	3
or MGMT 372	Foundations of Leadership
or MGMT 430	Organizational Behavior
MGMT 302	Principles of Management	3
PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology	3
PSYC 310	Behavior Modification	3
PSYC 360	Group Dynamics	3
PSYC 470	Counseling Theory and Practice	3
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology ¹	3
SOC 130	Introduction to Human Services	3
SOC 220	The Family	3
or SOC 270	Native American Studies
or SOC 300	Race, Ethnic, and Gender Relations
SOC 320	Case Management	3
SOC 330	Understanding Statistics	3
SOC 340	Research Methods	3
SOC 422	Social Science Theory	3
SOC 491	Capstone	1
SOC 497	Internship	3-12
Total Credits		46-55

Child and Family Studies Concentration

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
COMM 314	Public Relations	3
or MRKT 301	Principles of Marketing
EDUC 210	Creative Activities	2
HPER 210	First Aid & CPR	1
PSYC 370	Abnormal Psychology	3
Specified Elective
Select one of the following (in addition to the other applied in the General Human Services program)		3
SOC 220	The Family
or SOC 270	Native American Studies
or SOC 300	Race, Ethnic, and Gender Relations
Electives
Select nine hours from the following:		9
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
EDUC 240	Educating Exceptional Students
EDUC 313	Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education
HPER 400	Current Issues in Community Health
MGMT 269	Business Ethics
PSYC 380	Human Sexuality
PSYC 450	Personality Theories
SOC 354	Health, Illness, and Disability
SOC 441	Death and Dying
SPED 340	Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disorders, and Intellectual Disabilities
Total Credits		21

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement 43-52 Hrs
Total Concentration Requirement 21 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
English Composition (Gen Ed)	3	Art and Music (Gen Ed)	3
MATH 210 (Gen Ed)	3	English Composition (Gen Ed)	3
SOC 110	3	Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4
Speech Communication (Gen Ed)	3	PSYC 111 (Gen Ed)	3
Computer Science and Literacy (Gen Ed)	3	Wellness (Gen Ed)	2
UNIV 150	1
	16		15
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Additional Humanities or Social Science (Gen Ed)	2	MRKT 301 or COMM 314	3
Lab Science (Gen Ed)	4	SOC 130	3
Literacies (Gen Ed)	3	SOC 220	3
Social Science (Gen Ed)	3	PSYC 250	3
EDUC 210	2
	14		12
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Additional Elective	3	Additional Elective (if only taking 3 credit internship)	3
MGMT 302	3	COMM 483	3
PSYC 370	3	SOC 340	3
SOC 300	3	SOC 441	3
SOC 330	3	SOC 497	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Additional Elective	3	Additional Elective	3
COMM 311	3	Additional Elective	3
PSYC 360	3	HPER 210	1
SOC 422	3	PSYC 310	3
SOC 491	1	PSYC 470	3
	13		13
Total Credits 113

Please note: This plan is intended for general information only. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge of Society & the Field: Students will develop an understanding of the interaction between individual and societal forces; why knowledge of social and historical context, norms, institutions, and inequalities are important to the field of human services; and their role as emerging professionals in the evolving human services field.
Confidence in Assessment, Critical Evaluation, & Theory: Human services students will apply theories, evaluate studies, and conduct research in course projects tailored to give practical experience that connects to a broad range of professional opportunities.
Application of Knowledge, Skills, & Values in Applied Settings: Students will complete internships and coursework that integrate their academic knowledge, skills and values as emerging professionals within real world, applied settings.