Human Development and Family Science

Overview

Many factors make an Human Development and Family Science major from The Ohio State University very valuable, such as a growing-older adult population, a stable high divorce rate and more dual income families leading to more children being in child care. Having the knowledge of how children and families develop is an extremely valuable asset for a variety of careers, from teaching children, to working in social service settings with children and families, to working with older adults.

Family studies is a multidisciplinary specialization that provides an in-depth understanding of family relationships across the lifespan, including parent-child and parent-adolescent relationships, couple and marital relationships, and interpersonal and family relationships during the middle and later years of adulthood. Through course work and supervised practice in community agencies (field work), students are able to prepare for positions and/or careers working in organizations serving children and families.

Possible careers

Many graduates pursue Master of Education (MEd) or post-bachelor teacher licensure programs to gain teacher licensure in either early childhood (pre-K through grade 3) or middle childhood (grades 4–9). While students often apply to the MEd program in Ohio State’s Department of Teaching and Learning, the admission process is competitive and completion of this undergraduate major does not guarantee admission to the MEd program. 

Other graduates find employment as teachers in private and public pre-kindergarten programs, child care settings, intervention programs, or social service settings working with children and families. Other common employment opportunities are in youth programs, after-school programs and social services.

Graduates have found employment as specialists in children’s museums, generalists in social service organizations, activity directors in senior centers, parent educators, and cooperative extension agents; in family and community service settings; and working with children, adolescents, families and older adults.