Career Paths

In HDFS, there are so many paths you can take. Students in HDFS go on to become couple and family therapists, researchers, family life educators, social workers, allied health professionals, policy-makers, judges, non-profit leaders and more.

Prevention/Intervention Track

Prevention/Intervention Track

Prepare for graduate study in prevention and intervention fields such as Family Life Education Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work and Policy/Law.

Child Life Track

Child Life Track

The coursework in Child Life prepares you to work with children and families in healthcare settings as a Certified Child Life Specialist. You will learn about the unique effects of hospitalization on children and families.

Individuals with Disabilities Certificate

Individuals with Disabilities Certificate

This track prepares students to work directly with individuals with disabilities, their family members, and in advocacy positions for individuals with disabilities.

Health Related Careers

This track is for those interested in entering health careers such as pre-med, pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, speech language pathologist, physician assistant.

What can I do with a degree in HDFS?

What can't you do with a degree in HDFS?

Learn more about employment opportunities and our graduates through the UGA Career Center HDFS Career Guide and the Career Center Outcome Survey.

You can find relevant jobs on The National Council on Family Relations Jobs Center, or use their Careers in Family Science Infographic and Student Resources as you think about your career options.

Infographic titled “Career Opportunities in Family Science” from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). The graphic organizes careers into categories with example roles. Top row categories: Business, Consumer & Family Resource Services: employee assistance, childcare, financial counseling and planning, vocational guidance, consumer protection, family resource management, food assistance, poverty research, work-life balance, family business consultation, academic advising. Community-Based Social Services: youth development, adoption and foster care, teen pregnancy prevention, family preservation, welfare assistance, vocational rehabilitation, 4-H and youth programs, YMCA/YWCA, scouting, after-school programs, adult day care, gerontology. Education: public schools, cooperative extension, universities, research, family life education, community education, parent education, museum education, marriage and family enrichment, guidance counseling, curriculum development, college student life. Second row: Family Intervention: therapy, case management, crisis/hotline services, court-mandated parent education, divorce mediation, abuse prevention, sexual violence prevention, drug and alcohol prevention, residential treatment, victim/witness support. Faith-Based Organizations: clergy, mentoring, parent education, youth programs, budgeting and money management, marriage and relationship programs. Early Childhood Education: childcare centers, Head Start, preschools, early childhood family education. Third row: Government & Public Policy: policy analysis, advocacy, military family services, child and family services, juvenile justice, family court. Healthcare & Family Wellness: public health programs, child life, nutrition and sexuality education, prenatal/maternity services, disability services, long-term care, hospice, funeral services. International Education & Development: international family policy, Peace Corps/NGO leadership, global planning, sustainability, human rights advocacy, immigration and migrant services. Bottom row: Research: grant writing, academic/government research, population and demographic studies, nonprofit research, program evaluation. Writing & Communication: curriculum development, public service media, journalism, blogging, social media. Footer: National Council on Family Relations (ncfr.org).

Degree Options

You can combine your major in HDFS with other fields (Psychology, Public Health, Early Childhood, or Sociology) to earn two degrees!

Internships

Whatever your career path, all Human Development and Family Science students can complete an internship. During this educational applied learning experience, you have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a personal way to help you obtain your future goals.

UGA Career Center

Learn about job titles, related graduate programs, job statistics and more at the UGA Career Center.

Research

Learn more about the science of studying human development and family science through research with HDFS Faculty.

Human Development & Family Science Student Association

Learn more about how to promote educational, professional, and social opportunities among students interested in the development of individuals and families through all stages of life.

Study Away

Learn more about domestic and international study away opportunities in Family & Consumer Sciences.

Legislative Aide

Learn more about how to develop your personal, career, and leadership skills during the spring semester in the Legislative Aide Leadership Fellows Program.

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