The university is committed to an urban mission. As part of this mission, the department emphasizes research and service that assists the community. Begun in 1977, the PACT program provides services to families referred to the program by the Family Independence Agency. The Families First program has also been a part of PACT since 1990 and provides intensive short-term, home based services to families.
PACT provides research opportunities for graduate students and faculty.
These projects include both basic and applied elements of research. As a university in a large diverse community, faculty and student research involves many of the ethnic and racial groups resident in metropolitan Detroit. A sequence of three courses is available in all of these areas. In addition to its emphasis on both basic and applied research, the department provides training for all graduate students in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. In addition to faculty offices, limited office space is available for graduate students.