Human Development and Family Science

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.

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.