Department of Human Development and Community Health

The Department of Human Development and Community Health (HDCH) is a group of dedicated faculty and staff whose interests focus on well-being from early childhood through gifted performers to families and communities; by teaching, research, and outreach to the community; in the public and private sectors. All undergraduate and graduate programs in the HDCH Department operate on the premise that human well-being must be viewed as holistic, and include the following five domains of health: social, intellectual, physical, economic/financial, and emotional/spiritual. Students are prepared to work with individuals, families and/or communities to promote health and wellness.

Consequently, rewarding career opportunities are available to graduates within health promotion, education and human service professions in private and public settings. Specific areas of study include early childhood education P-3, human development and family science, family and consumer sciences education and community health.

Graduate programs in the Department of Human Development and Community Health lead to a Master of Science in Community Health, Family and Consumer Sciences (options in early childhood education/child development or human development and family science), and Family Financial Planning.  A Doctor of Philosophy is available in Indigenous and Rural Health.

Mission Statement

The Department of Human Development and Community Health strives to enrich human well-being through teaching, research, and outreach.

Academic Advisors

The Education, Health and Human Development academic advising office, staffed with academic advisors to serve the needs of undergraduate students, is located in 218 Herrick Hall and 132 Reid Hall. Students in Human Development and Community Health are expected to meet with an advisor each semester to discuss their plan of study, academic progress, and course registration.  In addition, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to discuss issues and questions regarding professional programs, career opportunities, and academic concerns. Academic advisors can assist students to appropriate referrals when necessary.

To receive advising or to inquire about programs in the Department of Human Development and Community Health, contact the Advising Office by phone at (406) 994-4001, or by e-mail at ehhdadvising@montana.edu.

Degrees and Options

The department offers three Bachelor of Science degrees. They include a B.S. in Community Health; a B.S. in Early Childhood Education Preschool-Grade 3 Teaching; and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Science with options in Child Development, Family and Consumer Sciences Education (5-12), or Human Development and Family Science. The department offers a Master of Science in the following areas:  Community Health; Family and Consumer Sciences (including options in early childhood education/child development and human development and family science); and Family Financial Planning. The department also offers a Doctor of Philosophy Indigenous and Rural Health. Many of these graduate programs are available online; please see the graduate catalog for more information as to which ones are able to be completed at a distance.

Minor Fields of Study

Minors provide a concentration of courses outside the student's major and are intended to complement major course work. The minor is posted on the student's transcript. Non-teaching minors are available in human development, and personal and consumer finance. A teaching minor is available in family and consumer sciences 5-12. For additional information on minor fields of study and requirements, please see the minors section of this catalog.

Certificates

One certificate program is offered through the department.  This is an online undergraduate certificate in gerontology, which can accompany any major/minor combination.

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science degrees in community health, early childhood education P-3, food and nutrition, kinesiology, and human development and family science (child development option and human development and family science option), shall be conferred upon the successful completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 120 credits. The Bachelor of Science in human development and family science option in family and consumer sciences education 5-12 and the Bachelor of Science degree in health enhancement K-12 (health and physical education), shall be conferred upon the successful completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 121 and 128 credits, respectively. All undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 42 upper division credits.

A Master of Science degree shall be conferred upon completion of specified requirements and a minimum of 30 credits for the majors of family and consumer sciences and family financial planning. A minimum of 36 credits is required for the community health program. The Doctor of Philosophy in indigenous and rural health require 60 credits. Please see the graduate catalog for further information.

Certifications and Licensures

Certifications and licensures are dependent on the student's eligibility to sit for certification and licensing examinations and on passing those examinations. Several fields of study in the Department of Human Development and Community Health prepare students to sit for certification and licensing examinations. Many, but not all, certifications and licensures are offered as post-baccalaureate opportunities. See an advisor for additional information.

The following certifications are related to Human Development and Community Health disciplines:

Accredited Family Financial Counselor

The Department of Health and Human Development offers a three-course series that can aid students in becoming credentialed as an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC). The AFC credential is offered nationally through the Institute for Personal Finance. The credential requires two tests, an internship, and a year of work experience in helping consumers and families with financial matters. The three-course series prepares students to take the two tests. The department then helps students find placement for an internship involving helping consumers and families with finances. The AFC credential allows students to credibly indicate their expertise in personal and family finance to potential employers.

Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences

Students completing the human development and family science major (with options in human development and family science and family and consumer sciences education) will be eligible to sit for the Certification in Family and Consumer Sciences (CFCS) exam set by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. The CFCS credential communicates to others within and outside of the profession that the individual certified in family and consumer sciences possesses a broad professional knowledge base in the field.

Certified Family Life Educator

Students completing the human development and family science major will be eligible to apply for the CFLE granted by the National Council on Family Relations. Interested community health students may also complete additional courses and apply for provisional certification. Certified Family Life Educators serve as consultants, directors, educators, and coordinators in settings such as social services, child care, health and welfare, recreation, youth programs, community action, drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers, senior citizen programs, parent education, family service agencies, extension, and retirement/convalescent care centers.

Certified Health Education Specialist

Completion of the community health major establishes eligibility to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist examination (CHES). The CHES exam measures the possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge essential to the practice of community health/health education. The CHES certification is a national standard for health education practice and assists employers in identifying qualified health education practitioners.

Students who have completed their master's degree in Community Health are additionally eligible to sit for the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) examination

Early Childhood Education Preschool-Grade 3 Teacher

The early childhood education P-3 major is designed for students who wish to become licensed to teach preschool through grade 3.  Upon completion of the degree, students are recommended for licensure through the State of Montana in teaching preschool-grade 3.

Family and Consumer Sciences 5-12 Teacher

The family and consumer sciences teacher preparation program is designed for students who want to become teachers of family and consumer sciences in public or private schools. Upon completion of the degree, students are recommended for licensure through the State of Montana in teaching grades 5-12.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Minors

Certificates 

Graduate Programs

Master of Science degrees in:

Doctor of Philosophy degree in:

Graduate programs in the Department of Human Development and Community Health lead to a Master of Science degree with options in community health, family and consumer sciences (early childhood education/child development; human development and family science), and family financial planning.  A Doctor of Philosophy is available in Indigenous and Rural Health.

General descriptions of the graduate options are included below. More detailed information regarding curricula and requirements may be obtained from the respective graduate coordinators listed below.  Information may also be obtained on the Department of Human Development and Community Health website.

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the Master of Science degree in Family Financial Planning.  A minimum of 36 credits is required in Community Health and Family and Consumer Sciences.  Both thesis and non-thesis plans are available. The doctorate degree in Indigenous and Rural Health is a 60-credit program.  Transfer credits may not exceed the limit of nine set by The Graduate School and must be assessed by the respective faculty advisor before acceptance to the program.