The Family and Human Services program prepares students for careers in the many areas of social services: state organizations, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, and foster care and adoption agencies. The curriculum explores real issues and challenges that arise in human relationships and teaches students how to facilitate healing in people’s lives. Special attention is given to social justice issues, teaching students to advocate with and for the clients they serve. We are dedicated to developing students committed to world change through faith and justice.
Find out how the Family & Human Services program will prepare you for a career of helping others
Why Study Family and Human Services at JBU?
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Experience Career Variety
Family and human services graduates are hired to be case workers, family and child advocates, program directors, community liaisons, foster care and adoptions specialists, and a variety of other positions in various social service organizations.
Students work as interns at incredible non-profits right here in Northwest Arkansas like the Children’s Advocacy Center, New Life Ranch, NWA Women’s Shelter, and New Beginnings Pregnancy Center.
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Explore Northern Ireland
With field trips, lectures, and dinners with the locals, students acquire a unique perspective on family, culture, and themselves while earning six credit hours in Northern Ireland.
As part of the curriculum, students take several upper-level theology classes while grappling with the difficult life situations they interact with daily.
For their capstone course, students conduct extensive research and write a publishable thesis on a major-specific topic of their choice.
JBU has developed a specific curriculum track in which students earn a B.S. in Family and Human Services and an M.S. in Counseling in five years.
Choose an emphasis of study such as Child and Adolescent Studies, Criminology, Pre-Counseling, Psychology, Social Justice, Wilderness Counseling, or Counseling to learn more about your interests.
Meet Our Family and Human Services Professors
Melissa Hall
Department Head, Family and Human Services
Associate Professor of Family and Human Services
In addition to teaching, Dr. Hall is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is passionate about foster care and adoption, advocacy, and empowering her students to reach their full potential. Dr. Hall is a member of the American Counseling Association, The National Council on Family Relations, The Christian Association of Psychological Studies, and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Dr. Hall, her husband, and their two boys live in Fayetteville, AR. They love being involved in New Heights Church and Potters House Ministries.
Geoffrey Reddick
Assistant Professor of Family and Human Services
Dr. Geoff Reddick counts it a privilege to work with students as they pursue their callings and passions in the helping professions. His primary desires are to help students develop empathy towards others, become more authentic and vulnerable with themselves, and grow in confidence and boldness in their own abilities.
Dr. Reddick is a Licensed Marital & Family Therapist, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and a Clinical Fellow in AAMFT. He received his B.A. in Psychology & Classical Studies from the University of Arkansas, an M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy from John Brown University, and a Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Saint Louis University. His primary clinical interest is working with couples and families, especially in intensive settings. He previously worked for Focus on the Family’s Marriage Institute, providing intensive marital therapy and leading marital enrichment retreats with his wife, Lindsey. He and Lindsey have two daughters, Mollie Jo & Murphy.
Possible Careers for Family and Human Services Majors
Serve within both profit and nonprofit organizations, children's advocacy centers, foster care and adoptions agencies, anti-poverty organizations, half-way homes, youth/adult/senior citizen's programs, or group homes.
Work for community centers, hospitals, adoption agencies, rehabilitation centers or camp programs.
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Writing, Editing, or Researching
Serve within organizations focused on children and family (book publishers, radio/TV stations, nonprofit organizations, newspapers, magazines, or manufacturers).
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Program Advocate/Coordination/Evaluation
Work for child and family advocacy programs, childhood enrichment and development centers, health and wellness agencies, or women's protective agencies.
5
Teaching and Administration
Lead in religious organizations, daycare centers (private or public), extended school programs, private homes, family daycare.
6
Department of Human Services
In many states, DHS looks for graduates who have specialized in a degree for social work with children and families.
Pursue grad degrees in Social Work, Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy.
