The Department of Human Environmental Studies offers programs in human development and family studies, design and merchandising, and foods and nutrition. The areas focus on the interaction between humans and their natural, constructed, and behavioral environments. The programs within environmental studies prepare students for a variety of careers in apparel, merchandising and design, nutrition, dietetics, commercial and residential interior design, early childhood education, and family services.

Located in Wightman Hall, the Department of Human Environmental Studies (formerly Home Economics, Family Life, and Consumer Education), has 28 regular faculty, 15 temporary faculty, and 12 professional administrative staff. Enrollment in departmental courses exceeds 9,000 students each year with approximately 1350 majors and 650 minors. Facilities in Wightman Hall include state of the art laboratories and high technology classrooms including multimedia capabilities. Undergraduate and graduate programs are carefully monitored to reflect current knowledge and methods in the subject areas. Graduates of departmental programs enjoy excellent job placement rates in a wide variety of both private and public sector careers.

Department Bylaws

Organizational Chart