What Can I Do With This Major

Human Development and Family Science (formerly Child and Family Studies)

Child and Family Studies considers the linkages that children and families have with peers, schools, community agencies, sources of social policy, and varied cultural contexts. Coursework includes learning developmental theories, psychology courses, and engaging in internship experiences and field placements to encourage application of knowledge in career-related settings.

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Social Services

Common Career Paths

  • Case management
  • Counseling – individual or family
  • Advocacy
  • Program development
  • Community education
  • Volunteer coordination
  • Administration
  • Research
  • Evaluation
  • Fundraising
  • Public relations
  • Grant writing

Employers

  • Community centers
  • Youth services agencies/programs
  • Family service agencies/programs (e.g., financial, family planning, health and wellness, marriage, vocational, food/housing assistance, military family support, etc.)
  • Senior citizens programs
  • Nursing homes
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Rehabilitation organizations
  • Group homes
  • Half-way houses
  • Shelters and emergency housing
  • Mediation centers
  • Consulting firms
  • Consumer protection agencies
  • Adoption agencies
  • Federal, state, and local government:
    • Department of Health and Human Services:
      • Administration on Aging
      • Administration for Children and Families
      • Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
      • Health Resources & Services Administration
    • Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Department of Defense
    • Department of Justice: Probation and parole officers, correctional facilities

Strategies

  • Exhibit a desire to help others, along with communication and organizational skills.
  • Seek experience as a volunteer, intern, or paid employee with social service or non-profit organizations.
  • Become familiar with government and community resources available for those in need.
  • Develop a wide range of skills such as presenting, grant writing and fundraising, as professionals in nonprofit organizations may fill multiple roles in their positions.
  • Learn to work well with different types of people from varying socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in social work, sociology, and psychology.
  • Pursue additional coursework to specialize in an area or with a certain population such as addiction, gerontology, child welfare, etc.
  • Demonstrate the ability to make sound decisions and solve problems.
  • Develop solid technology skills to utilize relevant software systems.
  • Consider earning Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential through the National Council on Family Relations. Clarify if your institution’s coursework leads to automatic certification as a Provisional CFLE.
  • Become familiar with government hiring procedures and seek assistance with the process from your campus’ career center.
  • Obtain a master’s degree and appropriate licensure to provide therapy.
  • Earn a graduate degree for greater administrative positions.

Healthcare

Common Career Paths

  • Hospital based family support (e.g., provide emotional support, educate children and families, identify resources, coordinate events)
  • Health, nutrition, and safety education
  • Advocacy

Employers

  • Hospitals
  • Public health clinics
  • Doctors’ offices
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Specialized camps/schools
  • Hospice programs
  • Funeral homes
  • Social services organizations
  • Federal, state, and local government:
    • Department of Health and Human Services:
      • Administration on Aging
      • Administration for Children and Families
      • Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
      • Health Resources & Services Administration

Strategies

  • Volunteer in a healthcare setting such as a hospital or specialized children’s camp.
  • Develop a high comfort level working in clinical environments with children and families under stress.
  • Acquire strong communication skills, and plan to work on interdisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, counselors, etc. who provide care to children.
  • Prepare to work nights, weekends, and holidays in some healthcare settings.
  • Earn a master’s degree in social work, counseling, public health, or related area, for increased opportunities.

Education/Childcare

Common Career Paths

  • Childcare
  • Parent-child education
  • Administration of a childcare center
    • Curriculum development
    • Training
    • Management

Employers

  • Private, public, franchise, and corporate day care centers
  • Pre-schools and Montessori programs
  • Religious organizations
  • Extended school programs
  • Recreation programs and camps
  • Health clubs
  • Family day care
  • Independent families, nanny firms, and au pair services
  • Federal, state and local government:
    • Department of Health and Human Services
    • Head Start

Strategies

  • Obtain experience working with children through volunteer, intern, or part-time positions.
  • Serve as a babysitter or nanny part-time during the semester or full-time in the summers.
  • Demonstrate patience, creativity, and the ability to work well with people of various backgrounds.
  • Develop strong communication skills to work effectively with students, staff, and parents.
  • Acquire appropriate certification, such as Child Development Associate (CDA) or Pre-K licensure for some pre-school settings. Certification varies by state.
  • Note that some religiously affiliated employers seek staff whose values match their organization’s missions.

Advocacy

Common Career Paths

  • Policy development
  • Program administration
  • Fundraising/Development
  • Volunteer coordination
  • Grant writing
  • Development:
    • Economic
    • Community
    • Housing
  • Domestic and international advocacy
  • Humanitarian services (e.g. human rights, family planning, world health, disaster relief)

Employers

  • Community action agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations focusing on a variety of issues (e.g., disability services, juvenile justice, child safety, etc.)
  • Private voluntary organizations
  • State and local government agencies
  • Faith-based organizations (FBO’s) and churches
  • International aid and relief organizations
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs; e.g., Action Aid, Oxfam, International Red Cross, etc.)
  • Federal government agencies:
    • International focus:
      • Peace Corps
      • USAID
      • Foreign Service (State Department)
    • Community assistance focus:
      • Housing and Urban Development
      • Department of Health and Human Services

Strategies

  • Demonstrate a strong desire to help others.
  • Volunteer at social service agencies to gain experience and demonstrate interest.
  • Participate in humanitarian trips over breaks to gain experience assisting groups in need.
  • Obtain Certified Family Life Educator credential.
  • Pursue leadership roles in campus and community advocacy organizations, and learn how to motivate individuals and groups.
  • Develop excellent research, writing, communication and organizational skills; fundraising experience may be helpful for some positions.
  • Complete an internship with a government organization in area of interest.
  • Research federal, state and local job application procedures.

Business

Common Career Paths

  • Market research
  • Product testing
  • Product development
  • Administration
  • Management
  • Sales
  • Customer service

Employers

  • Children manufacturing companies (e.g., clothes, toys, furniture, food, etc.)
  • Consumer protection agencies
  • Department and retail stores
  • Child-centered recreational businesses, (e.g., gyms, bounce houses, dance studios)
  • Camps
  • Social service organizations with business components (e.g., tax assistance, financial planning, etc.)

Strategies

  • Demonstrate initiative, attention to detail, organization and problem-solving skills.
  • Learn to communicate effectively with a wide-range of people.
  • Consider taking interpersonal communication and public speaking classes.
  • Earn a business minor or supplement program with courses such as accounting, management, finance, etc. to increase understanding of business theory.
  • Obtain sales/retail experience with companies catering to children’s needs.
  • Join business or retail student organizations and secure leadership positions.

Communications

Common Career Paths

  • Research
  • Curriculum/Resource development
  • Journalism
  • Writing
  • Editing
  • Public relations

Employers

  • Organizations geared toward children and families:
    • Book publishers
    • Radio and TV stations
    • Newspapers
    • Manufacturers
    • Consumer protection agencies
    • Professional associations
    • Social service organizations
    • Magazines
    • Internet sites

Strategies

  • Develop excellent grammar and writing skills.
  • Learn to think critically and research effectively.
  • Take elective courses in the communications field such as journalism, broadcasting, public relations and advertising, or earn a minor in one area of interest.
  • Obtain experience with a college newspaper, yearbook, alumni publication or with local radio or television stations.
  • Compile a portfolio of writing samples, ad campaigns and other relevant work, especially those that have been published.
  • Develop desktop publishing, webpage design and other computer skills.
  • Pursue an active role, preferably leadership, in journalism organizations.
  • Prepare to work in deadline-oriented environments and to withstand criticism.

Getting Started and Advancing in Major

  • A Bachelor’s degree is sufficient for entry-level positions.
  • Advanced degrees are essential for clinical and therapeutic counseling positions.
  • The Human Development and Family Science major serves as preparation for students pursuing advanced training in other areas such as healthcare (e.g., pediatric nursing, family medicine, etc.); law (e.g., family law, elder law, child advocacy, etc.); and ministry (e.g., youth ministry, pastoral counseling, etc.). Research admissions requirements and take prerequisite courses for programs of interest.
  • A graduate degree is often needed for administrative and supervisory positions.
  • A doctoral is required for most college teaching and advanced research positions.
  • Additional or specialized training qualifies one for higher paying opportunities and positions of greater responsibility.
  • Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience in child care, schools, hospitals, camps, or overseas programs in advocacy, addressing alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, aging, poverty, disabilities, etc.
  • Get involved in student organizations and seek leadership positions on campus.
  • Research certification options for specialized areas including Child Development Associate, Child Life Specialist, or Certified Family Life Educator.
  • Obtain certification in CPR, safety and first aid for infants, children and adults. Some positions will require this.
  • Research certification options with the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Professional Associations

Related Resources

Occupational Outlook

Employment Opportunities