The Human Development and Family Science program prepares graduates for mission-driven work in education, nonprofit agencies, hospitals, social services, and more. Many pursue advanced degrees in teacher education, counseling, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, child life, medicine, and family law. By the time they leave Chapel Hill, graduates are ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, as well as the communities in which they live, learn, and work.
Career Pathways
Graduates of the HDFS program have gone on to serve in a variety of roles that support individuals, families, and communities, including:
- Outreach and Family Engagement Coordinator
- Development Coordinator/Specialist
- Child Life Specialist (with additional requirements)
- Parent Liaison for Head Start
- Community Resources Coordinator
- Adminstrative Support Specialist
- Student Services Specialist
- Behavioral Technician
- Teacher Aide
- Teacher (with alternative certification)
- Child Care Referral Specialist
- Scholastic Support Staff, After-School Counselor
- Manager of Youth Advocacy and Community Engagement
Graduate Programs
Many HDFS alumni pursue graduate school and advanced degrees in fields that deepen their impact, such as:
- Education and teaching
- Speech language pathology
- Occupational therapy
- Human resources
- School counseling
- Clinical mental health counseling
- Law
- Higher education student affairs
- Medicine/dentistry
- Marriage and family therapy
- School psychology
- Educational technology
- Public health
Learn More About the Program
Alumni Testimonials
Aaruba Ayesha
SOE has been supportive throughout my four years, but especially during my junior and senior year, when COVID-19 struck. The pandemic created a lot of chaos and stress during my study abroad semester and the start of my senior year, but my advisor, professors, and fellow HDFS students were there for me and helped me prepare for the rest of the semester.
Mady Clahane
Every professor I have had in the UNC School of Education has always offered themselves as a person to talk to about my own career goals, plans, and anxieties surrounding them. I have always felt like I have a team behind me that is excited for my career development and wants to help me make a difference in the world.
Courtney Medina
The school has pushed me to expand my knowledge and become more well-rounded through the HDFS course requirements such as educational policy, social justice in education, and adolescent development. It has also provided me with research opportunities through Dr. Espelage's lab that allowed me to explore my personal research interests and solidify a career outlook for myself.
Darian Abernathy
Our stories are valuable. When we listen to each other, we are blessed with the opportunity to educate ourselves on how to be better, more loving people. Story-telling helps us to create a better world. I would love to see people value education, educators, change-agents and the incredible work they offer to our society.
Justis Mitchel
The UNC School of Ed has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to take a class to fill up your schedule on a topic your interested in, or applying to a program that focuses on working closely with other people and developing you as a young professional, the School of ED can offer that. I’ve been surrounded by people who are so passionate in so many different areas, and my professors have really embraced these passions to allow us to be confident in ourselves and our abilities to change the world.
Sydney Gutierrez
The School of Education has taught me so much over these four years but the most important thing I've learned is to never stop learning. All of the professors, administration, and students in this school have a passion for learning and it shows in everything they do.