Careers for HDFS Majors

HDFS is a major for students who are passionate about improving the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through their work.

There is significant demand for HDFS majors due to the aging population and our ongoing need for supports and services for children and families. HDFS majors take positions in a range of human service organizations after completing their undergraduate degree.  Types of work include:

• Human services professions – case management, youth and family services, child advocacy, aging support
• Early childhood development – early childhood education, early intervention
• Program administration and advocacy – volunteer coordinator, program coordination, human resources assistant

Preparing for graduate studies

With the ability to specialize your coursework and hands-on learning around your career interests, HDFS also provides strong preparation for graduate study and professional degrees.

• Counseling – addiction, marriage and family therapy, mental health, school counseling
• Social work
• Program administration and management
• Public policy
• Research – lifespan human development, psychology, sociology, intervention/prevention

HDFS students working with pre-health advising can also successfully prepare for graduate or professional study in occupational therapy, child life, second degree nursing, and medical school.

The department maintains a Canvas site with additional resources to help students select appropriate courses and hands-on learning experiences to prepare for these different career paths.