Family Studies and Human Services
600 Academic and Student
Recreation Center
1800 SW Sixth Avenue
503-725-8241
www.pdx.edu/social-work/cyfs-child-youth-and-family-studies
The Family Studies and Human Services Program is for students who have an interest in the helping professions. Our Program supports career goals involving direct outreach with individuals, families, and communities to improve their quality of life. Family Studies and Human Services offers two major pathways: 1) Child, Youth, and Family Studies and 2) Human Services.
Students who are interested in becoming elementary school teachers, social workers, counselors, early childhood educators, or special educators are advised to consider a degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies (CYFS). The degree is also appropriate for students seeking career pathways such as parent educators, family advocates, youth workers, social service caseworkers, program directors/administrators, and classroom assistants. Students gain an interdisciplinary perspective on children, youth, and families, a broad understanding of family systems, and a working knowledge of the diverse socio-cultural contexts in which children and families develop.
The Child, Youth, and Family Studies major content integrates theory with practice through a liberal arts foundation, coursework in professional development, practicum experience, and professional documentation that prepares students for professional roles as well as graduate school. Students may choose focused elective courses in early childhood education, youth work, family life education, elementary education, human services, or child life.
The Family Studies and Human Services program also offers a minor in Child, Youth, and Family Studies, which can be completed in close alignment with the Families and Society Junior Cluster.
In both the Child, Youth, and Family Studies major and minor a strong emphasis is placed on preparing students to become change agents, creating a more just world for children, youth, and families. Both the CYFS major and CYFS minor can be completed online or in person, through careful planning with an advisor.
The Human Services major is interdisciplinary and prepares individuals for culturally responsive work in the field of human and social services. Graduates will be equipped to address the spectrum of human need in settings such as schools, behavioral health agencies, healthcare settings, and aging and disability agencies.
The Human Services major is offered fully online and structured to meet the needs of professionals working in the field, including an opportunity for students to receive credit for prior learning.