Human Environmental Sciences

Professor Yang; Associate Professors Crowley, Norcross, Palmer, and Prestwood; Assistant Professors Johnson, Scrinzi, and Watkins

Department Overview

The Department of Human Environmental Sciences uses an interdisciplinary approach to study the relationship among individuals, families and communities and the environments in which they function. As an applied science program, the department focuses on assisting people to improve their quality of life, thereby improving the conditions of society.

Human Environmental Sciences strive to develop in students the knowledge, skills, values, and global awareness necessary to pursue careers and enter graduate programs in the following areas of study: Child Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Fashion Merchandising and Design, and Interior Design.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Human Environmental Sciences Department

Students in the department of HES will:

• apply principles and skills for managing human and material resources for the improvement of the quality of life for individuals, families, and society;
• synthesize knowledge gained from a broad-based liberal arts core at Meredith College and apply it to their major, and;
• demonstrate effective communication skills, collaboration skills, research skills, creativity, critical thinking skills, leadership, and professional ethics.

The department offers majors leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in child development, family and consumer sciences, fashion merchandising and design, and interior design. Minors are also offered in each area.

Majors may earn licensure to teach family and consumer sciences in public and private schools, they may complete B-K or K-6 licensure combined with a child development degree, and they may also complete a second major or minor in another department.

The Interior Design program is fully accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA formerly FIDER). Majors are encouraged to join the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Students earning majors in Interior Design, Child Development and Fashion Merchandising and Design may earn a second major in Family and Consumer Sciences by completing 24 credit hours of course work that does not overlap the first major. Students are advised to begin their majors during their freshman year in order to complete the sequence of courses within four years.