by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you find the idea of studying human relationships, family and public policy fascinating, Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) could be the major for you.
The main purpose of the program is to understand how people develop and relationships form in society. This is an interdisciplinary program where you will study the cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of people throughout different stages. These changes from conception through death are shaped through family, friends, community, and society. This major deals with practical as well as theoretical knowledge and can be very compelling because of its strong relevance to every person.
Classes you may take when studying HDFS could include: child guidance and parenting, contemporary family issues, multiethnic society, early childhood education, human sexuality, child development, lifespan development, psychology, and sociology.
Concentrations in this major include: Adult Development and Aging, Family Systems, Child Development, Family and Community Services, Child Care and Support Services Management, Developmental Services Worker, Human Development and Family Services.
A major in Human Development & Family Studies covers Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services. Continue reading for the important information every human development & family studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering human development & family studies programs.
In the U.S., human development & family studies is a popular field of study, with 42,800 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 944 schools to determine the best overall colleges for human development & family studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of human development & family studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Human Development & Family Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations human development & family studies graduates commonly enter.
If you are interested in studying people of all ages and backgrounds, this major will have plenty to interest you. Your classes will help you understand how people behave and react in different circumstances. Many colleges will require you to gain first-hand experience in an internship or co-op. You will experience work in a variety of different settings so you can get a better idea of what to specialize in.
This major requires critical thinking skills that will allow you to analyze an issue from many perspectives. People make decisions as a result of their emotional, social, physical, and intellectual growth. The nature versus nurture debate will be something you cover in depth in both classes and research. Students will have plenty of practice working on their writing while completing research papers, lab work and recording observations from the field.
Students who excel in this field are both curious and caring. You should want to understand human development in order to learn to help others. The knowledge you obtain can help reduce the stress of people going through medical treatment and help ease family worry. You could also work with youth who may not be given ideal situations to grow up in. You should be able to work with others without judging or patronizing.
Skills emphasized by a human development & family studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a human development & family studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several human development & family studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3,777 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 8,199 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10,050 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 19,778 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 155 |
People currently working in careers related to human development & family studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 36.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in human development & family studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
With a degree in HDFS you have the ability to work in many different settings. The range of occupations you can participate in includes youth services organizations, program coordinator at a community center, educational programs for students of all ages, a job in a health care setting, family and community services, such as a marriage or family therapist, and long-term care facilities. Many students will decide to obtain their master's degree in behavioral or social sciences.
Majoring in human development & family studies opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to human development & family studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to human development & family studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
| Childcare Workers | 438,372 | 10.8% |
| Nannies | 287,752 | 6.8% |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 253,977 | 9.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of human development & family studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,243 |
| 4 years | $38,875 |
| 5 years | $44,531 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for human development & family studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers human development & family studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $69,957 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
With 944 different human development & family studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased human development & family studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in human development & family studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
