Certifications and Licensures

The Department of Health and Human Development offers a three-course series (HDFS 337 Personal and Family Finance I, HDFS 338 Personal and Family Finance II, and HDFS 339 Family Financial Counseling) 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 courses prepare students to take the two tests. The department then helps the student find placement for an internship in helping consumers and families with finances. The AFC credential allows students to credibly indicate their expertise in personal and family finance to potential employers. Students need not be majors in Health and Human Development to complete the three courses and become AFC-certified.

Students completing the Human Development and Family Science major and restricted electives 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.

Students completing the Human Development and Family Science major and restricted electives will be eligible to apply for the CFLE granted by the National Council on Family Relations. 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.

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 eligible for licensure from the State of Montana in teaching grades 5-12.