Department of Human Sciences
Overview
The Department of Human Sciences is "Leading the Human Race!" As a vanguard of possibility and progress, the Department of Human Sciences is dedicated to propelling humanity forward. Our unwavering mission is to elevate the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities through a commitment to excellence in teaching, cutting-edge scholarly endeavors tailored to meet the evolving needs of our constituents at both state and national levels, and impactful outreach initiatives spanning local, national, and global spheres. The department utilizes an integrative approach to teaching, research, and service to accomplish its mission.
Our comprehensive degree program is meticulously crafted to equip both men and women with the knowledge and skills essential for leadership, scholarly pursuits, and service in the dynamic fields of human sciences and family and consumer sciences. By fostering specific and applied expertise, our program empowers graduates to excel in a diverse array of professions and to thrive in advanced academic pursuits, including graduate studies. The culmination of this transformative journey is marked by the conferral of a degree upon the completion of a rigorous curriculum encompassing a minimum of 120 credit hours. Please see various concentrations below:
Child and Family Studies Concentration
The Child and Family Studies Concentration offers a comprehensive pathway to diverse career opportunities centered around the growth, education, and welfare of children and families. Through a varied selection of courses encompassing disciplines like social work, business, government, and education, participants are equipped with a well-rounded skill set to thrive in this multifaceted field. The program aims to prepare individuals for a wide array of professional roles, ranging from entry-level positions to leadership roles in sectors such as program administration for children, youth, and the elderly, private or non-profit services, management of child and family policies, advocacy for child and family services, early childhood education, Head Start programs, social service case management, and beyond. Graduates of this program are empowered to embark on fulfilling careers that make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in various capacities, reflecting the program's commitment to nurturing well-rounded professionals dedicated to the betterment of society.
The Southern University Child Development Laboratory (CHDV Lab) uses research-based curriculum to serve and educate youth from birth to 4 years of age. It is a research facility within the Department of Human Sciences and is aligned with the Child Development and Family Studies undergraduate program. The CHDV Lab serves as a laboratory for all future educators and practitioners and provides opportunities for cutting edge research in the areas of child development, speech pathology, psychology, and education. The main focus of the CHDV Lab is to serve as a training site for undergraduate students who wish to enter the field of early childhood education. Through experiences and research in best practices, students gain knowledge and skills to make them strong leaders in the nation and internationally in the area of early childhood education.
Child Life Specialist Concentration
The Child Life Specialist Concentration is designed for students aspiring to become Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) in the healthcare field. CCLS professionals play a crucial role in helping children and their families navigate times of stress experienced in medical environments. Child life specialists also promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities. They achieve this through the use of play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities.
By enrolling in the Child Life Concentration, students will have the opportunity to leverage their knowledge of child development and family systems theories to effectively address the intricate needs of hospitalized children and their families. Graduates of this program can pursue various career paths, including roles such as Child Life Specialist, Parenting Educator, Youth Program Director, Family Services Worker, Children's Services Provider, and positions within Food Companies. Upon completion of this program, graduates can pursue diverse career paths, including roles such as Child Life Specialist, Parenting Educator, Youth Program Director, Family Services Worker, Children's Services Provider, and positions within Food Companies.
Culinary/Food Management Concentration
The Culinary/Food Management Concentration combines the creative spirit of the culinary arts with the technical and scientific expertise of food science and the entrepreneurial expertise of food service systems management. The Culinary/Food Management emphasis prepares students for an exciting and challenging career in the nation’s largest business: food. This concentration prepares students for management roles or entrepreneurial opportunities within the food industry. Students are marketable for new employment opportunities in the hospitality industry. Students are prepared to compete in the retail food market which ranges from healthcare to lodging organizations and develops students as leaders for the foodservice and lodging professions. Career opportunities include positions as managers with airlines, cruise ships, retirement communities, hospitals, universities, correctional facilities, delis and catering operations, retail sales in hospitality; marketing, advertising; and self-employed managers.
Fashion Merchandising and Design Concentration
The Fashion Merchandising and Design Concentration provides a basic foundation for entry-level positions in manufacturing, retailing, and related industries, both domestically and globally. The program prepares students for challenging and promising careers as store managers, designers, buyers, product developers, textile scientists, fashion stylists, visual merchandisers, fashion coordinators, merchandise managers and entrepreneurs, among numerous others. The curriculum also prepares students for graduate study in a merchandising and textiles program.
Nutrition and Health Informatics Concentration
The Nutrition and Health Informatics Concentration focuses on the management and use of nutrition and health data and information through technology. Nutrition and Health Informatics is the management of nutrition and health information food and nutrition professionals need in the health care arena. This emerging area is concerned with the optimal use of information, often aided by the use of technology, to improve individual health, health care, public health, and research. Nutrition and Health Informatics describes an emerging area of practice that focuses on harnessing the latest information technologies, including mobile devices, social media and data analytics and bring them to bear on all aspects of local and global healthcare systems.
Nutrition Health and Wellness Concentration
The Nutrition, Health and Wellness (NHW) Concentration offers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences with a focus on Nutrition, Health, and Wellness. This concentration is ideal for individuals passionate about nutrition and its impact on wellness and health promotion. In a society where individuals of all ages seek guidance on optimizing their health through nutrition and physical activity, this program equips students to address a wide range of nutrition and health challenges to improve the well-being of individuals and communities.
The NHW concentration opens doors to a variety of career paths in sectors such as the food industry, voluntary and community health organizations, school health programs, government agencies, cooperative extension services, research institutions, advocacy groups, educational settings, communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, corporate wellness programs, insurance companies, health coaching, and the fitness industry. Graduates are prepared to make meaningful contributions in these diverse fields, promoting health and wellness through nutrition education, advocacy, and program development.
The curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills essential for success in their future careers. By blending theoretical learning with practical experiences, students are equipped to tackle the challenges of the nutrition and health industry upon graduation. Whether students aspire to enter the workforce immediately after completing their degree or plan to pursue advanced studies in graduate school, this concentration offers a well-rounded education that prepares them for a successful transition into the professional world of food and nutrition.
Dietetic Internship Concentration
The Dietetic Internship is a post-baccalaureate supervised practice program in dietetics offered at Southern University. This program incorporates the Academy of Nutrition of Dietetics Standards of Education for student to acquire knowledge, skills, and competencies to function as entry-level registration-eligible dietitians. The Dietetic Internship Program at Southern University and A & M College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The address and phone number of ACEND are 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312/877-1600, ext 4727 or 1-800-877-1600, www.eatright.org/ACEND.
To become a registered dietitian/nutritionist (RD or RDN), an individual must complete a three-step process:
- Complete the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics academic requirements; receive a verification statement signed by the Director of the Didactic Program; and obtain a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
- Complete an ACEND accredited supervised practice program (dietetic internship program), and receive a verification statement signed by the Director of the Dietetic internship program.
- Obtain a passing score on the national registration examination for RD or RDN credential, as administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Learn More!
To see the undergraduate catalog for the Department of Human Sciences, click below
