From a proud past emerges one of Auburn University’s most dynamic colleges:

a visionary college whose academic programs take diverse paths of scientific inquiry to explore the relationship between people and their environments.  The spirit of the human sciences is found where these applied disciplines interface, leading to the principal mission of enhancing human well-being and the quality of life worldwide.

In our effort to create globally aware graduates, we strive to find innovative ways to better meet human needs in everyday life.  Pursuant to this commitment of making the world a better place, we consistently reshape our programs to address contemporary challenges and emerging issues. Blending our land-grant heritage with a rapidly changing information age, the College is at the forefront of innovative research, corporate/government/university partnerships, and outreach programs that offer science-based solutions to address society's most pressing issues.

The outstanding CHS faculty provide instruction for undergraduate and graduate students, and also serve as a support system to maximize each student’s personal and professional growth. Demanding curricula bridge the arts and sciences, combine theory and application, and integrate global understanding with technical competence. This academic strategy, focused on producing graduates who exhibit progressive worldviews, enables the College of Human Sciences to set the quality standards by which competing programs are measured.
The three departments that comprise CHS make unique, yet interdependent contributions to the College’s mission.

• The Department of Consumer Affairs teaches cultural, economic, technological, and human constructed systems to address consumer demand for textile/apparel and other consumer products and the design of interior space.
• The Department of Human Development and Family Studies focuses on how individuals and relationships develop and change in different contexts over time.
• The Department of Nutrition and Food Science concentrates on: the promotion of human health and well-being through good nutrition; the development, production, and use of safe, quality food products; and the provision of premium hospitality service to enhance the lives of families and consumers.

Regardless of which CHS curriculum students pursue, the health and well-being of the individual will be the central focus in the course of study. The human sciences come to life where the three departments interface.  It is here that students experience the essence of the College in its integrated core curriculum, international focus, and cross-departmental activities (ie: lecture series, student leadership groups). 

CHS students are highly competitive in the workforce due to the excellent technical knowledge and interpersonal skills acquired through CHS programs. A CHS graduate’s marketability is further enhanced by the completion of required internships and other hands-on professional experiences. Both undergraduate and graduate students receive strong faculty mentoring unparalleled on the Auburn campus. With this guidance, students develop the courage and inspiration to set high goals and to pursue those goals with commitment and determination.

Instruction
For every career choice -- science, business, design, human relations -- there is a curriculum in the College of Human Sciences for everyone. CHS faculty lead and guide student learning through the use of innovative teaching methods and instructional technology.  Other applied experiences include service learning projects, laboratory and practicum courses, and pre- and post-graduation professional internships. Dedicated academic advisors will help you discover the endless opportunities that exist with a Human Sciences degree.
CHS Undergraduate Degrees (B.S.):

• Apparel Merchandising, Design and Production Management (i.e., Apparel Merchandising; Product Design and Production Management)
• Interior Design
• Human Development and Family Studies (also, Dual Objective with Early Childhood Education available)
• Nutrition and Food Science (i.e., Dietetics, Food Science, Nutrition Science)
• Hotel and Restaurant Management
• International Minor in Human Sciences (open to all undergraduate students on the Auburn campus)

Graduate Degrees offered at both the M.S. & Ph.D. levels in all three CHS departments.

• Department of Consumer Affairs Graduate Programs (M.S.: Apparel or Interiors; Ph.D.: Integrated Textile & Apparel Science)
• Department of Human Development and Family Studies Graduate Programs (i.e.: child development, family relations, marriage & family therapy)
• Department of Nutrition and Food Science Graduate Programs (i.e.: food science, nutrition, hotel & restaurant management)

Outreach
Outreach is a central part of the CHS mission. The CHS outreach programs are based on research and scholarship, and are developed to positively influence life worldwide. Working closely with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, University Outreach, and other state and federal partners, CHS faculty create and participate in a vast array of programs. Whether face-to-face, by video, or via satellite, CHS faculty deliver programs to audiences worldwide that are designed to both enrich the students' educational experience, and improve quality of life for the global community.

Examples of CHS outreach efforts include:

• Conducting seminars on trends and techniques in determining food safety for the Alabama Department of Public Health.
• Supporting textile/apparel/retail industry competitiveness by promoting domestic production of goods through an electronic sourcing database developed at Auburn University.
• Creating educational models to meet citizens' needs through facilities such as the Harris Early Learning Center.

International
International programming is primary to the unique academic mission at CHS. Since 1990, international initiatives have been a central part of our strategic plan and a top priority for the College. CHS faculty recognize this challenge and make every effort to ensure that awareness of other cultures permeates our teaching, research, and outreach programs. All students, both domestic and international, should be comfortable with peers of different social and ethnic backgrounds, accepting and tolerant of diverse groups, open to new ideas, and knowledgeable about global issues.

Many international initiatives are in place in CHS. The College is privileged to be home to Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy, located southeast of Rome in the beautiful hilltown of Ariccia. The semester-long program, which is offered on a year-round basis, provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn 16 hours credit and the International Minor while becoming immersed in the
history and culture of Italy.

With international experience comes a better understanding of diverse family structures, international quality standards, and global inequities in all aspects of society and the workforce.  CHS students must be prepared to accept their role in the global community. It is our goal to provide open-minded faculty to arm CHS students with a new understanding and tolerance for the ever-changing world.