Ohio University's Bachelor of Science in human development and family science prepares students to support individuals and families in a wide range of community, health care, and human service settings. Students develop a strong understanding of development, relationships, and life transitions while gaining practical experience through coursework and community engagement.
The Human Development and Family Science program prepares students to understand and respond to some of today's most important family and social challenges. Students in the program explore issues such as:
Through coursework and community engagement, students learn how families and communities can respond to these challenges in thoughtful, evidence-informed ways.
OHIO is committed to your lifelong success through our Guarantee+, which offers fixed tuition and fees, a graduation plan and lifelong benefits to our students. We're continuously striving to make college more affordable and accessible, while maintaining the high quality and value of an OHIO education.
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Human Development and Family Science majors develop practical, career-ready skills, allowing them to:
Human Development and Family Science majors build a strong foundation in human development while tailoring their degree through one of four concentrations aligned with their career interests. Students also work closely with faculty and advisors to select electives, internships, and experiential learning opportunities that support their professional goals.
Explore the four concentrations by clicking on the tabs.
This concentration prepares students to work with individuals and families in diverse settings, including human and social service agencies, as well as programs for children, adolescents, and young, mid-life, and older adults. Students learn about the nature of individual and family interactions, family dynamics, how individuals within the family contribute to and are shaped by these dynamics, and how broad societal contexts (e.g., schools, peers, gender, poverty) influence individual development and family functioning.
By studying varied developmental pathways, including those pathways characterized by stress and trauma, students will have the opportunity to acquire the professional skills necessary to work with individuals, couples and families in a broad range of human service settings.
If you have questions or would like more information about the Family and Community Services Concentration, please contact Jennine Mick, Undergraduate Program Coordinator by emailing mick@ohio.edu.
The aging and gerontology concentration focuses on understanding aging within the context of families, relationships, and communities. Students examine how adults navigate midlife and later life transitions such as retirement, grandparenting, changing family roles, community participation, and maintaining independence.
Courses explore the social, emotional, and family dynamics of aging while preparing students to advocate for older adults and their families in a variety of settings. Students also develop professional and collaborative skills by learning how aging services intersect with healthcare providers, community organizations, housing professionals, and policy systems.
Students who select this concentration also earn an Undergraduate Certificate in gerontology. This certificate is available to all Ohio University students and provides additional preparation for careers supporting older adults, families, and aging-focused organizations.
Graduates with this concentration often pursue roles supporting midlife and older adults and their families in areas such as:
Some graduates also pursue graduate degrees in fields such as gerontology, marriage and family therapy, social work, rehabilitation services, and public and community health.
If you have questions or would like more information about the Aging and Gerontology Studies Concentration, please contact Dr. Julie Brown by emailing brownj14@ohio.edu.
This concentration prepares students to become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), as designated by the Association of Child Life Professionals. The CCLS helps normalize the hospitalization experience for children and families and provides specific services that include preparations for medical procedures, coping skills for children during stressful health care experiences, support for siblings and parents, therapeutic medical play, planning and implementing activities to enhance growth and development, and interdisciplinary team involvement.
In addition to core courses in the HDFS program, students in this concentration take courses that focus on helping pediatric patients and families navigate the stressors involved with a health care diagnosis.
By the start of the fall semester of junior/3rd year, student in this concentration must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in both overall and HDFS coursework and accumulate 75 volunteer hours in a hospital where child life is present to apply for any child life clinical experiences, such as the 100-200 hour child life practicum and 600-hour final internship.
If you have questions or would like more information about the Child Life Specialist Clinical, please contact Janelle Mitchell, Child Life Undergraduate and Graduate Program Coordinator, by emailing michej9@ohio.edu.
This concentration prepares students to work with children and families in pediatric health care settings and other community-based programs that focus on strengthening the lives of children and families as they navigate health care related stressors and trauma.
Students who complete this concentration may seek employment at the Ronald McDonald House, national wish organizations (Make-A-Wish), pediatric hospice/palliative care, bereavement centers, centers for special needs children, autism clinics, behavioral health clinics, and other community-based programs.
If you have questions or would like more information about the Pediatric Healthcare Community Settings Concentration, please contact Janelle Mitchell, Child Life Undergraduate and Graduate Program Coordinator, by emailing michej9@ohio.edu.
After graduation, Human Development and Family Science majors pursue careers in areas such as: child and family service agencies, early intervention and youth development programs, healthcare and hospital programs, aging services and senior living communities, community wellness and nonprofit organizations, nonprofit and community-based organizations, and public health and prevention initiatives. Many graduates also pursue professional roles in child life, counseling, social services, and related fields.
Many students may also choose to continue into graduate programs in: child life and pediatric support services, gerontology and aging studies, counseling and clinical mental health, social work, public health, and marriage and family therapy.
Human Development and Family Science majors gain practical experience through opportunities such as:
As a Human Development and Family Science major at OHIO, you'll benefit from small classes, close faculty mentorship, and strong connections with community organizations throughout the region. The program's lifespan perspective prepares graduates to work with individuals and families at all stages of life — from early childhood to older adulthood.