Undergraduate Programs: Human Development Major
Career and Graduate School Options
The most commonly asked question among Human Development students is "What can I do with my major after I graduate?" The answer is just about anything within human services and people-related fields. The major is broad and flexible, yet most people-service careers demand additional professional/graduate training. Students with a BS degree in Human Development can be employed in entry level/aide positions but salary is low and advancement limited without further education or training.
Many career opportunities are available to students who use the major as a stepping stone for further training. Career directions can be determined through academic coursework, field experience, internships and through interaction with resource people (i.e. faculty, community and campus staff). Since job opportunities vary, the marketability of one's educational background also varies. Currently, the health-allied fields of therapy work (i.e, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and recreational therapy) are quite marketable. Some areas of education are high-demand fields. The necessity for field experience in conjunction with coursework cannot be stressed enough. The more practical experience one has to complement undergraduate and advanced training, the more marketable one is.
Career and Graduate School Opportunities in Human Development
BS Only
- Teaching as an aide in early childhood education programs
- Entry level positions: e.g., governmental agencies, recreation departments, personnel departments
Graduate Work in Education
- Single-subject credential
- Bilingual education
- Multiple-subject credential (elementary)
- Special education credential (specialist credential)
Graduate Schools with a Health Science Orientation
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Recreational Therapy
- Schools of Nursing
- Schools of Medicine
- Schools of Dentistry
Good Preparation for Master's and Ph.D. in:
- Human Development Student Personnel
- Child Development Housing Administration
- Social Welfare Health Administration
- Educational Psychology Educational Administration
- School Psychology Psychology
- Counseling and Guidance
Here's on way to look at jobs with people and a few occupations related to each area:
Children:
- Dentist YM(W)CA
- Teacher Therapist
- Doctor 4H
- Nurse Boy/Girl Scouts
- Recreation Leader Cook
Families:
- Parent Educator Lawyer
- Family Planner Nurse
- Nutritionist Social Worker
- Parent Support & Counselor
- Referral Services for Families with Special Needs
Community:
- Directors Coordinators
- Consultants Budgeters
- Administrators Grant Writers
- Planners
Programs:
- Organizers Resource & Referral Intervention
City/County:
- Health, Education Welfare, Adoption , Child Protective Services
State/Federal:
- Agencies for Health, Education and Welfare; Advocacy Groups; Lobbyists; Legislative Analysts; Higher Education Teaching; Research
Services:
- Clothing, Literature, Media, Advertising, Food and Nutrition, Furniture, Housing