What Can I Do With a Major In Human Development and Family Science?
UGA Specific Information for Human Development and Family Science
The major in Human Development and Family Science at UGA is designed for students who want a broad understanding of individuals and families across the life span. Students learn about the developmental progression of individuals from the prenatal period to the end of life and focus on the interactions among individuals, families, communities, and society.
Through major coursework, electives and experiential learning, students can prepare for graduate study in the field as well as a wide variety of careers supporting families and improving lives. The major helps students apply theory and research on human development to practice and policy.
With their knowledge of children, couples, and families, students in HDFS can enter professions such as social work, marriage and family therapy and professional counseling, healthcare, policy-making, or law, just to name a few. Our students provide therapeutic support to families coping with chronic disease or advocate for policies on Capitol Hill. They lead non-profit organizations designed to promote positive youth and family development around the U.S. and abroad, and plenty more. What can you do with a degree in HDFS? The question is, what can’t you do?!
The Association of Child Life Professionals has established the bachelor's degree as a minimal requirement for Child Life certification. Although not required, an advanced degree provides more in-depth knowledge and experience in Child Life. We currently offer two degree programs in Child Life that require an application for admittance: a two-year [url=http://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs/graduate-programs-m.s.-child-life"]http://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs/graduate-programs-m.s.-child-life"[/url] target="blank">Child Life M.S. and a five-year [url=https://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs/double-dawgs-child-life"]https://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs/double-dawgs-child-life"[/url] target="blank">Double Dawgs program, which combines Human Development and Family Science (B.S.F.C.S.) and Child Life (M.S.). The Double Dawgs program includes a full year of clinical experience and coursework at Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta, GA.
Students who complete our major change the discipline. They are employed in colleges and universities, hospitals, government agencies, research institutes, and in mental health settings.
Source: https://bulletin.uga.edu/MajorsGeneral?MajorId=40
Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Human Development and Family Science*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
- Connect with Your Career Consultant
- Stop by Career Center Drop-In Hours
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences
- Pre-Health Students! The UGA Career Center offers support specifically for you through Pre-Health Appointments, which can be scheduled through Handshake. The Career Center can help you: explore roles in healthcare prepare application materials prepare for interviews navigate growth years.You can self-enroll in our Career Development Resources eLC for Pre-Health Students for helpful information that you can access from anywhere at any point. If you have questions specifically about GPA, application walkthroughs, and prerequisite course requirements for professional programs, schedule an appointment with the Pre-Professional Advising Office.
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations
- Join a student organization related to your interests and goals. Get active and taken on leadership roles in professional, service, social, advocacy, and/or honor organizations to gain valuable experience.
Additional Career Research Resources
- O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.
- My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.
- Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.
- Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.
- UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.
- Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance.
- Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.
- Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.
Employment Websites
General
- Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)
- LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!)
- Idealist (non-profit jobs)
- USAJobs (federal jobs)
Major Specific
- Idealist
- Georgia Department of Human Services
- Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
- U.S. Administration for Children and Families
- USA Jobs
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs Directory
- Council on Social Work Education Directory of Accredited Programs
- American Psychological Association Accredited Programs
- Child Life Council Career Center
- HealthJobs.com
- HealthJobsNationwide
- Allied Health Careers at the VA
- American Occupational Therapy Association Directory
- American Physical Therapy Association Directory
Professional Associations/Resources
- National Council on Family Relations
- National Organization for Human Services
- CDA Council for Professional Recognition
- Association for Childhood Education International
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National Head Start Association
- Council for Exceptional Children
- HighScope Educational Research Foundation
- National Black Child Development Institute
- Military Child Education Coalition
- National Parenting Education Network
- Child Life Council
- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
- National Association of Counsel for Children
- National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Human Development and Family Science majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Employer | Position Title(s) |
|---|---|
| ADDO Worldwide | Client Care and Program Representative | ADP | Implementation Specialist | Ally Behavior Centers | Registered Behavior Technician | Anatolia College | Postgraduate Fellow in Elementary Education | Aspire Clinic | Intern | Atrium Health Navicent | Child Life Specialist | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | Partner Agent | BlueSprig | Behavioral Technician | Boys & Girls Clubs of America | Teen Specialist | Child and Youth Services | Lead Child Development Program Assistant | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Child Life Specialist | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Engagement Coordinator | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Behavioral Health Technician | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Seating Technician | Classic City Cycling | Studio Manager | College Advising Corps | University of Georgia College Advisor | Confluent Health | Front Desk Coordinator | Coxe Curry & Associates | Intern | Cresco Montessori School | Assistant Teacher | Cresco Montessori School | Assistant Teacher | Delta Air Lines | Care Fund Coordinator | Discovery Point | Lead Pre-K Teacher | E & J Gallo Winery | Sales Consultant | Enovis | Sales Consultant | Extra Special People, Inc. | Intern | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | Catering Administrative Assistant | Georgia Association of Realtors | Advocacy Coordinator | Georgia Division of Family & Children Services | Social Services Specialist | Hospitality South, LLC | Assistant Manager | Integrity Health & Wellness | Medical Assistant | Jacob's Ladder Neurodevelopmental School & Therapy Center | Neurodevelopmental Provider | Kyo | Behavioral Therapist | LocumTenens.com | CVO Specialist | Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium | Junior Dolphins Program Coach | Newton Ray | Social Media and Marketing Director | Next Generation Focus | Afterschool Program Director | Northwestern Medicine | Child Life Intern | Nuci's Space | Development Intern | Peach State Academy | Lead Teacher | Planet Fitness | Team Member | Prince Avenue Baptist Church | College Apprentice | Savannah Dental | Dental Assistant | St. Mary’s Health Care System | Clinical Technician | University of Georgia | UGA Development & Alumni Relations Alumni Relations Officer Terry College of Business | Verkada | Associate Account Executive |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Human Development and Family Science majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Graduate School | Program(s) |
|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate | Auburn University | Child Life, MS | Augusta University | Counselor Education, Master's | Augusta University | Nursing, BSN | Augusta University | Nursing, BSN | Augusta University | Nursing, BSN | Augusta University | Dental Medicine, DMD | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader Program, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Physician Assistant, MS | Belmont University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Cape Fear Community College | Program and Degree Not Specified | Emory University | Nursing, MN/MSN | Emory University | Nursing, MSN | Emory University | Nursing, MSN | Emory University | Divinity, Master’s | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | School Counseling, Degree Not Specified | Georgia State University | School Counseling, MEd | Georgia State University | Physical Therapy, DPT | Kennesaw State University | Nursing Accelerated, Bachelor's | Kennesaw State University | Nursing Accelerated, BSN | Medical University of South Carolina | Program and Degree Not Specified | Mercer University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS | MGH Institute of Health Professions | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Morehouse School of Medicine | Medical Sciences, Degree Not Specified | National Louis University | Clinical Psychology, PsyD | Richmont Graduate University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS | Tennessee Wesleyan University | Program and Degree Not Specified | The Catholic University of America | Program and Degree Not Specified | University of Central Florida | Nursing, Bachelor's | University of Denver | Social Work, MSW | University of East Carolina | Occupational Therapy, MS | University of Georgia | Nonprofit Management and Leadership, MA | University of Georgia | Nonprofit Management And Leadership, MA | University of Georgia | Social Work, MS | University of Georgia | Social Work, MSW | University of Georgia | Applied Consumer Analytics, Master’s | University of Kentucky | Strategic Human Resource Management and Analytics, MS | University of North Georgia | Biology, Bachelor's | Vanderbilt University | Communication Sciences and Disorders, MEd | Western Carolina University | Accelerated Bachelor's of Nursing, ABSN | Western Governors University | Elementary Education, MAT |