The Department of Human Development and Environmental Studies was created by the merging of the Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Consumer Services departments. The mission statement of the department is to empower individuals to support human and environmental needs, enabling them to perform professionally in a changing, diverse technological and global society.

The department is composed of majors that are interdisciplinary and share humanistic values. All majors have an applied research focus and stress critical thinking, professional judgment, decision making, and synthesis of information with direct focus upon career paths.

The Human Development and Environmental Studies Department offers academic programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with the following majors: Child and Family Studies, Fashion Merchandising, and Interior Design. The Family and Consumer Sciences Education program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education. These majors prepare men and women for positions in business, the community, and education. The majors also prepare students for graduate study in the areas of interior design, housing, clothing, textiles, consumer economics, human service, child development, family studies, or education.

Faculty advisors work closely with students in planning and integrating the academic program to meet the students’ career goals and to supplement classroom experiences. Internships are available and encouraged so students can apply academic knowledge to actual situations. International study is also available to provide an enriching cultural experience.

The Fashion Merchandising program provides course emphasis in clothing and human behavior, apparel production and analysis, textiles and quality control, apparel distribution, merchandising and promotion, global diversity, historic textiles and apparel, color and aesthetics, and apparel construction. Communications, problem solving, group project organization, professional presentation, and analytical and critical thinking skills are incorporated in course content. The Eberly College of Business and Information Technology complements the Fashion Merchandising major by providing study in one of three options: Business Administration, Marketing, and Small Business Management.

A cooperative program between IUP and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City allows students to study one of seven majors: accessories design, advertising and communications, advertising design, fashion design, manufacturing management, textile/surface design, and textile development and marketing.

Graduates of this program are being prepared for entry-level positions such as manufacturer’s sales representative, production assistant, ready-to-wear quality control analyst, textile testing laboratory technician, management trainee leading to position of store manager, executive/merchandising trainee leading toward position of buyer/merchandise manager, museum curator assistant, personal color consultant, and personalized shopping specialist for an upscale retail firm.

The Interior Design program enables graduates to analyze problems, synthesize information, and implement design solutions supportive of the needs of people and the environment. The program emphasizes synthesizing of information and creative problem solving based on interdisciplinary experiences and communicating solutions. The program enables graduates to adapt to a changing world by drawing on history and multidisciplinary experience and applying principles of research. This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

The core of the program includes courses addressing space planning, drafting, design graphics, color theory, building systems, materials and finishes, human factors, computer-aided drafting and design, design development, textiles, lighting, residential and contract design, and professional practice. Detailed information is available from instructors regarding equipment and supplies to be purchased by students for individual courses in this program. Internships present an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical, on-the-job training and are highly recommended. Experiential learning opportunities in the community augment the program. Students tour a variety of settings including offices, museums, factories, showrooms, retail outlets, and construction sites. Supportive courses are offered in art and business. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in commercial and residential design, sales, historic preservation, and showroom management.

The Child and Family Studies program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Primary objectives of the program are to prepare professionals to administer and/or work in programs that entail aspects of child development and family relations, to teach at the adult level, or to administer human service agencies at federal, state, or local levels. The program also provides preparation for students who want to pursue graduate study in child development or family studies.

Current IUP students who wish to major or minor in Child and Family Studies must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3, after 45 credits, to be accepted formally by the department. Students transferring into IUP with fewer than 45 credits must have a GPA of 2.3 upon completion of 45 credits total (transfer plus IUP credits). Students transferring into IUP with more than 45 credits must have a GPA of 2.3 upon completion of their first semester.

The Child and Family Studies minor, consisting of 18 credits, is designed for students who desire to work in programs that entail all aspects of child development and family relationships and administration in human service agencies at federal, state, and local levels but have their major coursework in a related field. The Child and Family Studies minor is ideal for Psychology, Sociology, Educational Psychology, Deaf Education, and Criminology majors who wish to pursue careers working with children and families. The minor includes two required courses and any combination of four additional courses with a CDFR prefix from the list provided.