UNA can now add another certificate program to its list, with the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) recently approving the university’s proposed program to become a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE).

“It’s a national certification that is awarded and recognized, and that sets it apart from other certifications available at UNA,” said Jerri Bullard, chair of the sociology and family studies department.

The certification would give students the opportunity to work across many different fields, said Amber Paulk, assistant professor of sociology and family studies and human environmental sciences.

“So many of our students want to help people, but they don’t know what that means for them yet,” Paulk said. “They don’t want to be teachers, or they would be in the education department. They don’t want to be social workers, or they would be in that program.

“A CFLE is perfect for them. They want to encourage people in their identity, social and emotional development, primarily in a preventative role.”

A CFLE can find work in a number of areas, ranging from clinics and hospitals to social security offices, Paulk said.

“It all depends on the person’s interests and what they want to do,” she said.

Family life education focuses on healthy family functioning within a family systems perspective, mainly through preventive and educational approaches, Paulk said during a recent presentation she gave about the program.

“The goal of family life education is to teach and foster this knowledge and these skills to enable individuals and families to function optimally,” she said.

The curriculum, housed under the Department of Sociology and Family Studies, consists of 10 courses from a variety of disciplines, Paulk said.

“This was a whole department, a whole campus, effort,” Paulk said. “This is very much an interdisciplinary program. There are courses from up to six different fields that students can choose from. It’s an awesome collaboration.”

Paulk said the curriculum stemmed from the existing family studies minor.

“We looked at the minor and decided to expand it into a larger certificate,” she said. “It was really for the options it would open up for students.”

In order for the program to gain approval, NCFR had to make sure the courses offered would meet the criteria and content expectations across 10 specific areas, she said.

“We added a couple of classes, as well as the Family Life Education introductory course and the required internship,” Paulk said.

The required internship could take place with a number of different agencies, organizations or programs in the community and will bridge the gap between theory and practice before certification, Paulk said during her presentation.

Paulk also emphasized that this certificate is not for students with any specific major.

“It’s not a major; it’s an addition,” she said. “You can major in anything and get this certificate, as long you fulfill the requirements.”

She said at least one student will graduate with the certificate next fall.

“There is a lot of student interest in this program,” Paulk said.

She said that as people hear more about CFLE, she feels like there will be a large number of individuals joining the program.