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Several majors in Health and Human Development lead to professional certification and licensure post-graduation. 

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.

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.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association provides opportunities to become a certified personal trainer or a certified strength coach.

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.

The Health Enhancement K-12 Teacher Preparation program is designed for students who want to become teachers of Health Enhancement (Health Education/Physical Education) in public or private schools. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible for licensure from the State of Montana in teaching grades K-12 with reciprocity in other states.

The American College of Sports Medicine, the premier organization for health/fitness professionals and clinicians, offers the Health/Fitness Instructor and Exercise Test Technologist certifications at sanctioned test locations throughout the Pacific Northwest. The certification exams include written and practical components that emphasize the application of knowledge and hands-on skills typically acquired in an undergraduate Exercise Science or Kinesiology program.

Counseling graduate programs in Health and Human Development lead to the opportunity to become licensed in Montana as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Following completion of a master's degree, the student must complete a minimum of 1500 hours of supervised counseling practice prior to sitting for and passing the LCPC examination.

To become a Licensed Nutritionist by the Board of Medical Examiners in the state of Montana, you must be a Registered Dietitian and have completed the following requirements:

  • Minimum of a bachelor's degree from a US regionally accredited institution
  • Academic requirements from an ACEND-accredited DPD (MSU Food and Nutrition major - dietetics option)
  • A dietetic internship from an ACEND-accredited program
  • Successfully passed the registration examination for dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

 

Licensing and Professional Organizations

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

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American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

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American College of Sports Medicine

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American Council on Exercise

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American Counseling Association

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American School Counselor Association

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American Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education

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Montana Board of Behavioral Health

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Montana Department of Labor and Industry

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National Commission for Health Education Credentialing

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National Council on Family Relations

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National Strength and Conditioning Association

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