Part of the HDFS mission is to prepare students to work in a wide variety of settings and with a broad range of individuals and families. Regardless of specialization area, the curriculum is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge about child, adolescent, and/or adult development as well as the interpersonal connections that bring meaning to family life.
This broad approach prepares students for careers in nonprofit agencies, schools, hospitals, human services organizations, and community centers. While some students pursue a graduate degree in Social Work, Education, or Guidance Counseling, others begin their careers by working in the community.
In addition to the list of possible careers in HDFS provided below, you can click on the booklet to the right information about careers from the National Council on Family Relations. It explains different careers in HDFS, includes career profiles of working professionals, and illustrates ways to capitalize on your college experiences (e.g., coursework, volunteer experiences, internships, study abroad experiences) to forge a career path in the field.
Published by National Council on Family Relations
Human Development & Family Studies
Career Drop-in Hours
Hewitt Hall, Room 130
No Appointment Necessary
Career Opportunities for graduates with a Bachelor's degree
- Employee Assistance Specialist
- Consumer Protection Agencies
- Food Assistance Programs
- Family Business Consultant
- Family Financial Counseling & Planning
- Youth Development Programs
- Adoption Agencies
- Foster Care Programs
- Family Preservation Worker
- Teen Pregnancy Counselor
- Child Care Centers
- Head Start Programs
- Montessori Schools
- Child Development Consultant
- Public School Teaching in Family & Consumer Sciences (Certification)
- Family Life Educator
- Sexuality Educator
- Parent Educators
- Children's Museum Education
- Case Manager
- Victim & Witness Support Services
- Crisis & Hotline Services
- Divorce Mediation
- Drug & Alcohol Prevention Counselors
- Family Policy Analyst
- Cooperative Extension Specialist
- Military Family Support Services
- Advocate/Lobbyist on Behalf of Children, Women, & Family Services
- Public Health Programs & Services
- Hospital Family Support Professionals
- Prenatal and Maternity Services
- Hospice Programs
- International Family Policy Analyst
- Peace Corps and NGO Leadership
- International Human Rights Advocacy
- Immigration & Migrant Families Service
- Grant Proposal Writing
- Academic and Government-Related Research in Family Science Content Areas
- Population Studies & Demographic Research
- Community-Based Research for Non-Profit Family Agencies
- Curriculum & Resource Development in Family Life Education
- Public Service Radio and TV Programming
- Newspaper & Magazine Journalism on Social Issues Affecting Children and Families
