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 2024 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 Titles Reported by Class of 2024 Human Development and Family Science Majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2024 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) |
|---|---|
| ADP | Small Business Consultant | Aldridge Pite Haan | Litigation Legal Assistant | Aon | Health and Benefits Specialist | C.S Mott Children's Hospital | Child Life Intern | Camden County School District | Special Education Teacher | Children's Hospital of Georgia | Child Life Specialist | Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta | Child Life Specialist | Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta | Feeding Technician | Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta | Children's Miracle Network Foundation Intern | College Advising Corps | College Advisor | Conduent | Early Career & Technology Project Coordinator | Cork and Flame | Waitress | Cowin Equipment Company | Rental Coordinator | Crosslink Life Sciences, LLC | Junior Sales Associate | Damascus Catholic Mission Campus | Interview Coordinator | Dutton, Brown, and Crider Family Law | Receptionist | Emory University | Supply Management | Families4Families | Foster Care Case Manager | Florida VIBE | Softball Player | Geode Health | Medical Assistant | GHC Mechanical Services, Inc. | Office Administrator | Henry County District Attorney's Office | Legal Assistant | Hope Chapel Maui Church | Youth Ministry Intern | House of Cherith | Resident Service Associate | IDR, Inc. | Medical Recruiter | Liberty Mutual | Claims Adjuster | Medical University of South Carolina | Medical Assistant | Medical University of South Carolina | Medical Assistant | ONB Jones Wealth Management | Client Services Associate | Piedmont Healthcare | Patient Care Technician | Prisma Health | Child Life Intern | Prisma Health | Child Life Specialist | Prosperity Benefits | Client Advocate | Self-employed | Freelancer | Southern Orthopaedics | Sales Support Representative | St. Joseph's/Candler Hospital System | Regulatory Operations Specialist | TTI | Field Sales and Marketing Representative | Young Life | Staff Associate |
Graduate/Professional Schools Attended by Class of 2024 Human Development and Family Science Majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2024 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) |
|---|---|
| Augusta University | Post-Baccalaureate, Certificate | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Occupational Therapy, MHS | Augusta University | Physical Therapy, DPT | Boston College | Clinical Social Work, Master’s | Brenau University | Occupational Therapy, MS | Brenau University | Occupational Therapy, MS | Brenau University | Occupational Therapy, MS | Coursera | Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Emory & Henry University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Emory University | Master of Nursing, MSN | Emory University | Master of Nursing, MSN | Emory University | Master of Nursing, MSN | Emory University | Master of Nursing, MSN | Emory University | Nursing, Degree Not Specified | Emory University | Nursing, Master’s | Emory University | Physical Therapy, DPT | Georgia College & State University | Library Media, MEd | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, DOT | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, PhD | Kennesaw State University | Integrated Health Science, Post Baccalaureate Certificate | Kennesaw State University | Nursing Accelerated, Bachelor’s | Liberty University | Special Education General Curriculum, MAT | Medical University of South Carolina | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Mercer University | Law, JD | Mercer University | Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN | Mercer University | Physical Therapy, DPT | Northeastern University | Nursing, MSN | Presbyterian College | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Southern Regional Technical College | Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate's | Tennessee Wesleyan University | Occupational Therapy, MSOT | The George Washington University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Toccoa Falls College | Marriage and Family Therapy, Master’s | University of Florida | Nursing, BS | University of Georgia | Public Health, MPH | University of Georgia | Social Work, MSW | University of Georgia | Social Work, MSW | University of Georgia | Nonprofit Mgmt & Leadership, MA | University of Georgia | Special Education, Master's | University of Georgia | Counseling, MA | University of Georgia | Counseling, MA | University of Georgia | Elementary Education, Master’s | University of Georgia | Human Development and Fam Sci, MS | University of Georgia | Professional Counseling, MEd | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | School Counseling, MEd | University of North Georgia | Post-Baccalaureate, Non-degree | University of South Alabama | Occupational Therapy, OTD | University of Texas at Austin | Special Education, Master’s | Vanderbilt University | Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner, Master’s |