Understand People, Change the World.
Why do people do what they do? 🤔 Dive into the complex world of human development, exploring human behavior, family dynamics, and social, physiological, emotional, and mental growth from childhood to aging.👶👵 Learn to tackle real-world issues impacting individuals and families with flexible learning options.
What You'll Do (Flexible Options):
- Learn from expert researchers about the science of human development. 🔬
- Gain specialized certifications like Early Childhood, understanding older adults, or prepare for Family Life Educator designation. 📜
- Get hands-on experience in a flexible practicum, with options for agency work, community teaching, or research projects, tailored to your location and needs. 💼
- Build skills for impactful careers, understanding the interconnectedness of human well-being. 📈
Why It Matters (Your Way):
- Make a real difference in people's lives by helping all parts of a person, fitting your learning into your lifestyle.
- Gain essential skills for life, understanding the nuances of human behavior and development, with learning options that adapt to you. ♾️
- Prepare for a meaningful future, contributing to healthier individuals and stronger communities, with career opportunities across the nation and pathways to graduate school. ✨
What can I do with this Major?
Career and Employment Resources
- USU Career Design Center:
- Design your career
- The HDFS Career Coach
- What can I do with this major?
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National Council on Family Relations (NCFR):
- Career Infographic
- Exploring Careers in Family Science
- How to Explain Family Science to Anyone
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Examples of Career and Employment Settings:
- Family Life Educator (teach community classes—parenting, abuse, finance, life skills)
- Caseworker (elderly, low-income families, at-risk youth and families, teen parents, unemployed, foster or adoption agencies)
- Program Director/Coordinator (after-school programs, senior citizen centers, community education, youth programs)
- Advocate (at-risk youth, families, elderly, victims)
- Crisis Intervention (work with abuse, neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault, natural disasters)
- Adoption and Foster Care Agencies
- Child Protective Services
- Youth Development Programs
- Drug Treatment Centers
- Gerontology Programs/Agencies
- Nonprofit Community Agencies
- Residential Treatment Programs
- Child Care Centers
- Family Service Agencies
- Government Agencies
- Recreation Centers
- Crisis Centers
- Preschool Teacher (Head Start, Montessori)
- Child Development Consultant (helps families to improve social and psychological functioning)