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Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Minor
Human Development and Family Science
Help strengthen individuals and families throughout their lifespans. Collaborative group work, active learning, community engagement and study abroad opportunities prepare you for careers in diverse settings. Among the popular paths are community-based education, prevention, advocacy, case management, program coordination, program development, respite care, recreation, fund development, direct service and social support.
During your junior year, you will complete a professional development course leading to a senior-year capstone internship experience. You are encouraged to work closely with faculty through undergraduate teaching assistantships and undergraduate research projects to complement curricular experiences. Many students receive Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS) funding.
Quality classroom experiences
Integrated in the HDFS curriculum are community engagement experiences. Each semester the professional network event, Developing Connections, creates one-on-one opportunities for you to connect and explore career tracks. Pre-internship students participate in on-site internship interviews, while internship students present their capstone experience. Professionals and alumni offer advice to excel in the field and recruit for interns and entry-level positions.
“Belong to a supportive cohort: Over 300 majors, 100+ minors and faculty advisors with real-world experience who want to help you succeed.”
Career - what can you do with a human development and family science degree?
In a typical year, HDFS interns contribute more than 17,000 hours of work to local organizations (United Way, Children’s Resource Center), national organizations (Adopt America Network, American Red Cross), and international organizations based on student career goals.
Our graduates have accepted positions in community outreach, youth development, family and community development agencies, child life, public and private agencies, long-term care and assisted living facilities, early intervention, and family life education.
About one-third of HDFS graduates pursue graduate degrees with the most common being counseling, child life specialist, college student personnel, physical/occupational therapy, and gerontology.
Career paths
- Family life educator
- Community outreach
- Human and social services
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
This curriculum focuses on Human Development (HD) and Family Science (FS). You are encouraged to select a life stage (birth – very old age) for career specialization through development-oriented courses. Family Science (FS) content focuses on the nuances of family life, including communication processes and internal dynamics, support, resources, family roles, diversity, structures and policy. The intersection between life stage and content area create career direction and specialization. Upon graduation, you are eligible for provisional Certified Family Life Educator status based on curriculum approval by the National Council on Family Relations.
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Sample courses
- Family Interaction
- Listening Post
- Family Diversity
- Cultural Explorations in Italy
- Family Life Programming
The Human Development and Family Science program is part of the School of Applied Human Development in the BGSU College of Education & Human Development
Accreditation
Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2022-2023, with our next reaffirmation of accreditation scheduled for 2032-2033. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
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*Source: O*NET Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration(USDOL/ETA) through a grant to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Updated: 08/28/2024 10:49AM