Human Development and Family Studies, B.S.

Overview

Our B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies prepares students for careers serving as advocates and educators, and supports working with children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and their families. Students graduating from this program will be well-equipped with UNCG’s strength-based approach to study and work in professional positions serving individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

This program is offered in person and online. Students will learn from and be mentored by faculty who are nationally recognized experts in their field, to develop the skills and competencies that both employers and graduate school admissions’ review committees are looking for.

The Student Experience

• Students gain real-world experience with a field-based internship that addresses prevention, intervention, and education practices relating to children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and their families.
• Students make connections through the Collaborative of HDFS Professionals student group.
• Students work on HDFS Disciplinary Honors projects under the supervision of HDFS faculty members.
• Students have the opportunity to increase knowledge of Latinx culture and improve Spanish language skills through the language and culture immersion program offered every other summer by HDFS and the Department of Social Work. Students have daily language instruction and stay with Costa Rican families.

After Graduation

Potential Career Paths Include

• Graduate School
  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Human Development and Family Studies
  • Public Health Education
  • Higher Education Administration
  • Early Childhood Literacy
• Youth and Family Services
  • Child Advocacy Organizations
  • Child/Family Crisis Intervention Centers
  • Family Resorts
  • Family Service Agencies
  • Immigration & Migrant Family Services
  • Residential Treatment Facilities for Children
  • Teen Pregnancy Services
• Intervention Centers (Crisis Intervention Center, Real Crisis Center, Crisis Hotlines)
  • Drug & Alcohol Prevention Programs
• Health-Related Agencies (e.g., Hospitals, Pregnancy Care Centers)
  • Family Liason in Hospital
• Aging and Adult Services
  • Activity Coordinator or Program Director in Retirement Facilities
  • Residential Care for Elderly (Activity/Social Planner/Director, Exercise Planner)
  • Extended Care Centers, Adult Day Care
  • Senior Citizen Groups
  • Council On Aging
• Communities and Schools
  • Community Service Agencies (e.g., YWCA, YMCA, Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Clubs, United Way, Volunteer Action Centers, Family Support Network, Planned Parenthood)
  • Cooperative Extension
    • Training adult and youth volunteers to become community leaders, providing educational programs to stimulate community economic development, working in partnership with other agencies to help citizens prepare for and recover from disasters — and more.
    • Provide families with research-based answers to their day-to-day challenges such as managing a family budget, improving eating habits, or dealing with the special concerns related to early childhood, parenting, or aging.
    • 4-H
• State Agencies
  • Foster Care Programs
  • Guardian ad Litem – A person appointed by the court to represent the child in court and to make recommendations to the court regarding the best interests of the child (some states may refer to as Attorney Ad Litem or Law Guardian)
• Military Family Support Services

Don’t forget the large number of career opportunities available through

Government Agencies

• The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) touches the lives of virtually every North Carolinian from birth to old age–prenatal programs, child development programs, and rest home regulations, are all part of DHHS charge.
• Divisions of DHHS:
  • Aging and Adult Services
  • Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services
  • Disability Determination Services
  • Services for the Blind
  • Deaf & Hard of Hearing
  • Public Health
  • Child Developmental Services Agency
  • Mental Health Developmental Centers & Schools for Children
  • Child Development
    • School-Age Specialist
    • Behavior Specialist
    • Infant/Toddler Specialist

Health Related Agencies

• Public Health Department
  • WIC
  • Breastfeeding classes
  • Childbirth
  • Nutrition

Non-Profit Organizations

• Adoption Services
• Educational Organizations
• Faith Based Organizations (Ministry, Family Life Education, Parenting Education, Youth Programs)
• United Way Organization

Universities or Research Centers

• Research Technician/Assistant