Major in Family and Human Services
Explore social justice issues • Prepare for your career or graduate school • Change the world
Make a career of helping others
The Family and Human Services major prepares you for careers in the many areas of social services: state organizations, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, and foster care and adoption agencies. You'll explore real issues and challenges that arise in human relationships, and learn to advocate with and for the clients you serve.
Discover how JBU will equip you for a successful and purposeful career
What to expect as a Family and Human Services student at JBU
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.
Get Real Experience
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.
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.
Develop Solid Theology
As part of the curriculum, students take several upper-level theology classes while grappling with the difficult life situations they interact with daily.
Write a Thesis
For their capstone course, students conduct extensive research and write a publishable thesis on a major-specific topic of their choice.
Earn a Masters Degree
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.
Tailor Your Degree
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.
Alumni perspective: "Why am I Family & Human Major?"
Alumni Profile
Chelsea Estep '12
"I would not be where I am today if not for my experience at JBU. The professors' passion for the helping profession inspired my own passion for the field. JBU also taught me to be a competent worker, both in the field and in the classroom. I would not change my experience at JBU for anything!" Chelsea, having earned her master's in social work, currently works as a licensed clinical social worker and school social worker in Nevada.
What could you do with a Family and Human Services degree?
Case Management
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.
Research and Evaluation
Work for community centers, hospitals, adoption agencies, rehabilitation centers or camp programs.
Writing, Editing, or Researching
Serve within organizations focused on children and family (book publishers, radio/TV stations, nonprofit organizations, newspapers, magazines, or manufacturers).
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.
Teaching and Administration
Lead in religious organizations, daycare centers (private or public), extended school programs, private homes, family daycare.
Department of Human Services
In many states, DHS looks for graduates who have specialized in a degree for social work with children and families.
Grad School
Pursue grad degrees in Social Work, Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy.
Meet the Family and Human Services Professors
