Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Human development and family studies
Listed by colleges as Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Focuses on basic human developmental and behavioral characteristics of the individual within the context of the family. Covers the conditions that influence human growth and development; strategies that promote growth and development across the life span; and the study of family systems.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 11 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Human Development and Family Studies, General
- Focuses on basic human developmental and behavioral characteristics of the individual within the context of the family. Covers the conditions that influence human growth and development; strategies that promote growth and development across the life span; and the study of family systems.
- Adult Development and Aging
- Focuses on the characteristics of aging populations and the needs of older individuals in family and institutional settings. Covers the biological and psychological stages of aging; the provision of dependent care; serving the social, economic, and psychological needs of aging adults; related public policy issues; and adult community resources.
- Family Systems
- Focuses on the family as a social unit in its developmental, dynamic, comparative, and structural aspects, and the significance of the family as a system that impacts individuals and society. Covers related principles of sociology, psychology, behavioral sciences, and the humanities.
- Child Development
- Focuses on the intellectual, social, emotional, and biological development of children and the planning and design of related human services. Covers parent-child relations, parenting practices, special needs of children, parental and environmental influences on child development, external support services, and related public policy issues.
- Family and Community Services
- Focuses on the development and implementation of public, private, and voluntary support services for individuals, families, and localities and that prepares you to function in a variety of occupations promoting family life, and family/community development. Covers family systems, human development, social services, community social and economic development, social policy, voluntary sector activities, and outreach and community education.
- Child Care and Support Services Management
- Focuses on the provision and management of child care services and that prepares you to plan, design, and manage child care facilities and programs that meet children's developmental needs and interests and that provide safe and healthy environments. Covers child development and psychology; home- and institution-based child care; identification of diseases, injuries, and psychological trauma and applicable referrals; parent relations; personnel and business management principles; and related laws and policies.
- Child Care Provider/Assistant
- Prepares you to be primary providers of home, family, residential, or institutional-based child care services. Covers child growth and development, nutrition, recreation, planning and supervision of play and learning activities, child abuse and neglect prevention, parent-child relationships, and applicable legal and administrative requirements.
- Developmental Services Worker
- Prepares you to apply practical knowledge and skills to support individuals with a variety of physical, mental or developmental disabilities in a family or community setting. Covers health care, basic nutrition, pharmacology, nursing, autism, mental health, psychology, sociology, behavioral analysis, communication, intervention, counseling and community services, and developmental services, such as literacy and life skills training.
- Early Childhood and Family Studies
- Study that focuses on the development and learning of children from birth to six years old within the context of the family. Covers child abuse and neglect, child and infant growth and development, early childhood education, early childhood language and literacy, early childhood math and science, early childhood special education, family literacy, family sociology, family and marriage relations, assessment and measurement, psychology, and psychopathology.
- Parent Education Services
- Prepares you to plan, coordinate, and teach parent education programs and services that address the cultural, emotional, intellectual, physical and social needs of children and parents. Covers child development, cultural diversity in schools, child behavior, family development, family-community partnerships, family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, parent-child relationships, and social services.
Also called Parent Education
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Childcare Workers
- Median pay
- $34,980
- Hiring change through 2035
- −2.0%
- Job openings a year
- 150,300
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing with the economyPreschool Teachers, Except Special Education
- Median pay
- $38,140
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.5%
- Job openings a year
- 66,700
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career GrowingSocial and Human Service Assistants
- Median pay
- $45,930
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.4%
- Job openings a year
- 48,900
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingCommunity and Social Service Specialists, All Other
- Median pay
- $56,730
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.5%
- Job openings a year
- 11,600
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyPsychologists, All Other
- Median pay
- $110,840
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.3%
- Job openings a year
- 3,500
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingFarm and Home Management Educators
- Median pay
- $60,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.2%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyFamily and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $75,870
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.4%
- Job openings a year
- 200
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career ShrinkingSocial Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
- Median pay
- $101,110
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 2,700
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $29,060 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 76 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
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