Four people around a table - an older man, young girl, mid-20s female and older woman - all are looking at the smiling child who is playing with blocks.

Advance your career and the human experience

A degree in human development and family studies prepares you for in-demand careers centered around making a positive difference in people’s lives.

Learn from faculty who are experts in healthy families, positive human development, and behavior change interventions. You will study the development of people and families across the lifespan and learn the science of behavior. Our program also gives you hands-on opportunities to apply what you learn to real-world settings. A deep understanding of human behavior combined with experience means you’ll graduate ready for your future career. This is also an excellent path if you’re preparing for additional education as a mental health professional, lawyer and other fields that require advanced education.

Careers in Human Development and Family Studies

Counseling and Mental Health

  • Community Outreach Coordinator: Help community organizations develop and implement programs that support community well-being.
  • Behavioral Health Technician: Assist in the care and treatment of people with behavioral health issues.
  • Substance Abuse Counselor: Work with those who struggle with substance use (additional certification may be required).
  • Crisis Intervention Specialist: Provide immediate support and resources to people in crisis situations.
  • Victim Advocate: Provides confidential and respectful support to survivors, including safety planning, education, and referrals to community resources.

Health and Human Services

  • Case Manager: Assist individuals in accessing social services and resources.
  • Public Health Worker: Assist with programs that promote public health and prevent illness.
  • Rehabilitation Specialist: Assist people with disabilities or injuries achieve their highest potential. 
  • Gerontology Aide: Support older adults in various settings. 
  • Juvenile Justice Specialist: Work within the juvenile justice system to provide services, rehabilitation, and support aimed at helping youth make positive changes.
  • Probation Officer: Supervise individuals on probation to ensure compliance with court-ordered conditions, offering guidance and resources to aid in their rehabilitation and positive life changes.

 Working with Children and Families

  • Child Life Specialist: Support children and families in healthcare settings by helping them cope with hospitalization, medical procedures, and stress through therapeutic play and education.
  • Home Visitor: Provide in-home support, education, and resources to families to promote child development, health, and family well-being.
  • Behavioral Technician: Work directly with children to implement behavior intervention plans under the supervision of a licensed behavioral analyst.
  • Adoption and Foster Care Caseworker: Assess, support, and manage cases for children and families in the foster care and adoption process to ensure safe and stable placements.
  • Childcare Center Director: Manage the operations of a childcare center.
  • Parent Educator: Provide education and resources to parents that support child development and family dynamics.

 Government and Public Policy 

  • Children and Family Advocate: Work with organizations to promote policies and programs that support children and families.
  • Policy Analyst: Research and analyze policies related to family welfare, education, and health.
  • Military Family Support Specialist: Provides resources and advocacy to support the unique needs of military families, including transitions, deployments, and reintegration into civilian life.
  • Family Court Parent Coordinator: Facilitates communication and conflict resolution between parents involved in custody disputes, ensuring compliance with court-ordered parenting plans and prioritizing the best interests of the child.

Organization and People Management 

  • Human Resources Specialist/Manager: Manage recruitment, employee relations, and development to foster a positive work environment.
  • Program Director: Oversee program planning and execution to meet organizational goals and ensure impactful outcomes.
  • Nonprofit Leader/Executive Director: Lead an organization’s strategic, financial, and community efforts to fulfill its mission.
  • Training Specialist: Design and deliver training programs to enhance skills and support continuous employee development.

Research and Academia

  • Research Assistant: Support research projects related to human development and family studies in academic or government settings.
  • Program Evaluator: Assess the effectiveness of programs designed to support families and children.

Graduate Program Preparation


Because your education will be filled with hands-on experience and academic rigor in human behavior, Human Development and Family Studies is an excellent undergraduate program if you plan to further your education and become a:

  • Therapist
  • Lawyer
  • School Counselor
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Medical Doctor
  • Physician’s Assistant or Associate
  • Social Worker

Our department also offers a number of graduate programs in HDFS

Human Development and Family Studies

Four Year Plans

Accelerated Degree

An accelerated degree option is available for each option in the Human Development and Family Studies.

Study Abroad Programs

Are you considering a study abroad opportunity to broaden your educational perspectives and personal view of the world? We hope so!

The HDFS department offers various international opportunities through the College of Health and Human Sciences International Programs office.

Internships

Internships are available with various organizations. For more information, visit our careers and internship page.

To apply for internships and full-time positions, use CyHire, on-campus career fairscareer services, or talk to your internship coordinator.

See where other students have interned. Visit Career Connections.