B.S. in Child, Adult, and Family Services

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. 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. Careers working with children: Preschool teacher Childcare administrator Foster care or adoption specialist Child advocate Volunteer coordinator for child services Child service organization director 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