What Can I Do With a Major In 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: UGA Bulletin
** Includes Self-Employed
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 (CSWE) Directory of Accredited Programs
- American Psychological Association Accredited Programs
- Child Life Council Career Center
- HealthJobs.com
- HealthJobsNationwide
- American Occupational Therapy Association Directory
- American Physical Therapy Association Directory
- 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
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2025 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) |
|---|---|
| Abilene Baptist Church | Girls Ministry Associate | Acuity Brands | Leadership Program Associate | Arnold Palmer Hospital | Child Life Intern | Atlanta Breast Care Clinic | Medical Assistant | Boulder Medical Center | Medical Assistant | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Child Life Intern | David's Bridal | Assistant Manager | Extra Special People (ESP) | Program Fellow | Gerson Lehrman Group | Client Solutions Associate | Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center | Registered Behavior Technician | Kidz2Leaders | Office Manager | Lifeline Children's Services | Georgia Pregnancy Counseling Specialist | MainStreet Family Care | Medical Assistant | Mercy Health Center | Medical Assistant | Novant Health | Child Life Specialist | Restoring Hope LLC | Excel Day Program Coordinator | Shameless Sexuality | Brand Growth Assistant | Specialty Building Products | Benefits Coordinator | University of Georgia | Ticket Operations Intern | Urgent Care of Oconee | Medical Assistant |
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2025 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) |
|---|---|
| Belmont University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Boston University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Brenau University | Occupational Therapy, MSOT | Capital University Columbus | Nursing | Columbia University | Occupational Therapy, MS | Eastern Washington University | Child Life, MA | Emory University | Nursing, Masters | Emory University | Nursing, MSN | Emory University | Nursing, Masters | Emory University | Nursing, MSN | Emory university | Nursing, BSN | Emory University | Nursing, Masters | Gannon University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Georgia State University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | James Madison University | Occupational Therapy, Masters | Kennesaw State University | Dual MSW/MBA Program, MSW/MBA | Kennesaw State University | Nursing, BSN | Louisiana State University | Career Alternative RN Education, BSN | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Clinical Nurse Leader, Masters | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Clinical Nurse Leader, Masters | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Clinical Nurse Leader, Masters | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Clinical Nurse Leader, Masters | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Clinical Nurse Leader, MSN | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Clinical Nurse Leader, Masters | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Nursing, MSN | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Nursing, MS | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Nursing, MS | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Occupational Therapy, Masters | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Occupational Therapy, MSOT | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Occupational Therapy, MSOT | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Occupational Therapy, MSOT | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Occupational Therapy, MSOT | Medical College of Georgia (AU/UGA Partnership) | Occupational Therapy, MSOT | Medical University of South Carolina | Occupational Therapy, OTD | Medical University of South Carolina | Occupational Therapy, OTD | New York University | Physical Therapy, DPT | Stony Brook University | Nursing, ABSN | Texas Christian University | Occupational Therapy, OTD | The University of Alabama at Birmingham | Optometry, OD | University of Georgia | Athletic Training, MSAT | University of Georgia | Couple & Family Therapy, Masters | University of Georgia | Human Development & Family Science, MS | University of Georgia | Human Development & Family Science, MS | University of Georgia | Nonprofit Management & Leadership, MA | University of Georgia | Nonprofit Management & Leadership, MA | University of Georgia | Public Health, MPH | University of Georgia | Social Work, MSW | University of Georgia | Special Education General Curriculum, MAT | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Mental Health Counseling, MEd | University of North Georgia | Physical Therapy, DPT | University of North Georgia | Non-Degree Program, Post-Bacc | University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy, OTD | University of Texas at Dallas | Speech-Language Pathology, MS | University of West Georgia | Professional Counseling, MEd | University of West Georgia | Professional Mental Health & Counseling, MEd | Unspecified | Occupational Therapy, Doctorate | Valdosta State University | Nursing, Certificate | Vanderbilt University | Child Studies, Masters | Vanderbilt University | Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN | Vanderbilt University | Nursing, Masters |