Overview

Human Development and Family Sciences program at Northern Illinois University prepare you to serve families and individuals in various careers ranging from teaching in early childhood development programs, coordinating social services for children and families and working in a variety of human service systems such as mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare and programs assisting the poor.

Emphasis 1: Family and Individual Development

This emphasis provides career enhancement for students who have prior work experience with individuals and/or families or who plan to pursue a career in secondary education or higher education in family and child studies and related fields. Students who plan to pursue advanced degrees in related fields with a research rather than a service focus are advised to take classes in this emphasis.

Students hoping to do graduate work should strongly consider a minor in sociology, psychology, or political science.

Emphasis 2: Family Social Services

This emphasis is intended for students who seek entry-level employment in family service, family life education, mental health, or community welfare agencies which serve primarily older children, adolescents, adults, couples, and/or the elderly. Students planning to pursue advanced degrees in social work, family and child studies, marriage and family therapy, and related fields should take classes in this emphasis.

Family & Child Studies students from Northern Illinois University not meeting the requirements for entry into the internship may, with the consent of the department, change to emphasis 1, Family and Individual Development, in order to complete graduation requirements.

Students hoping to do graduate work should strongly consider a minor in sociology, psychology, or political science.

Emphasis 3: Child Development

This emphasis provides preparation for professionals who serve infants, toddlers, and young children and their parents in parent-child programs, both home- and community-based; in programs for parents and expectant parents; in child-life program, early intervention, and early childhood education; and in leadership/advocacy positions. Students planning to pursue advanced degrees in child development, family and child studies, and related fields should take classes in this emphasis.

Programme Structure

Courses included :

Human Nutrition
The Consumer
Introduction to Family Life Education
Child Health and Nutrition
Human Sexuality
Child Development
Human Development, the Family, and Society
Introduction to Family Relationships

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-08-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2026-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-10-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2025-12-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

IELTS

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PTE Academic

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Duolingo English Test

105

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

DeKalb, United States

Disciplines

Family & Consumer Science Childhood Studies View 284 other Bachelors in Family & Consumer Science in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

IELTS

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PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

105

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Start preparing for IELTS with Free Practice Tests.

Other requirements

General requirements

High school diploma: You must have graduated by the time you start at NIU in order to be admitted
Grades: You must have passing grades equivalent to a U.S. C+ average on all transcripts and/or exam scores

A completed NIU application

Official transcripts from all high schools attended

ACT/SAT score

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Northern Illinois University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

20462 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 10231 USD per semester during 48 months.
National

20462 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 10231 USD per semester during 48 months.
In-State

10230 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 5115 USD per semester during 48 months.

Local: $5,115.34 per semester National and International: $10,230.68 per semester

Living costs for DeKalb

1100 - 1500 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Family & Child Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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