Human Development and Family Science Major in Pennsylvania
Discover the Human Development and Family Science program at a Christian faith-based institution, perfect for those passionate about helping others. This program opens doors to careers in counseling, social work and family services, shaping compassionate leaders ready to make a difference.
100%
of first-year
students receive financial aid
students receive financial aid
98%
of the class of 2025 were
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
employed or in a graduate program
within 6 - 9 months after graduation
12:1
student to faculty ratio
Study Human Development and Family Science at a Christian University
Are you fascinated by the complexities of human development and family dynamics? If you are, Messiah University’s human development and family science (HDFS) major—affirmed by the National Council on Family Relations’ (NCFR)—is for you. 
As an HDFS major at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S., you’ll learn how to strengthen individuals and families by focusing on relationships, human development and families through courses such as interpersonal and marital relationships, parenting, human sexuality, and family dynamics and intervention. For those with an interest in child life, we provide all the courses required, including an intro course taught by a certified child life specialist.
You may wish to choose from a wide range of minors such as children and youth services, gerontology, multicultural families, disability and family wellness, and pre-counseling and therapy, or minors outside the department such as Bible, business, communication, early childhood education, music, counseling and Christian education.
As a human development and family science major or minor at Messiah University, you’ll be able to:
- Take courses in human sexuality, marital relationships, human development, aging, community services, family ethnicity and family intervention/family life education.
- Pursue an interest in child life and take all the courses required, including an intro course taught by a certified child life specialist.
- Choose from a wide range of minors, inside or outside of the department.
- Spend a semester studying abroad.
- Join the Messiah Council on Family Relations (MCFR) – a student professional organization affiliated with the National Council on Family Relations.
- Attend a professional conference, and even co-present papers with faculty.
- Develop an independent study program in an area of human development and family science that particularly interests you.
- Become a member of the student ambassador program, where select students attend university preview days/open houses and share information about the department with prospective students.
- Earn a Smith Scholar internship, which allows qualified students to work in apprentice relationships with faculty members.
- Learn about children by observing at partner locations.
- Enjoy a community-focused department that engages students in and out of the classroom through bonfires, end-of-year celebrations, etc.
You’ll develop marketable skills sought by today’s employers such as interpersonal and communication skills, interviewing, assessment, basic counseling skills, family-life education program development and delivery capabilities that will fully prepare you for a rewarding career in human service areas, within family agencies, churches, schools, and community-based social services, or even graduate school.
As a graduate of the human development and family science program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Child life specialist
- Case manager
- Foster care or adoption worker
- Early intervention specialist
- Counselor
- Geriatric care facilitator
For more information on career planning for the human development and family science program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of human development and family science internships. A few examples include:
- Hospitals
- Adoption agencies
- Parenting education agencies
- Childcare centers/preschools
- Residential treatment facilities
- Retirement communities
Accelerated degree in occupational therapy
Messiah’s five-year accelerated program occupational therapy program is designed for academically qualified first-year students who are confident they want to become occupational therapists. The program allows entering first-year students to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees at Messiah in less time than would be required to complete both of the degrees separately. Students who pursue this accelerated program earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree (your choice of human development and family science, psychology, or applied health science with a pre-occupational therapy concentration) and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree from Messiah University in five years. (Link those UG majors)
Accelerated degree in counseling
Messiah’s five-year accelerated counseling program is designed for academically qualified first-year students who are confident they want to pursue a career in professional counseling. The program allows entering first-year students to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Messiah in less time than would be required to complete both of the degrees separately. Students who pursue this accelerated program earn both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (your choice of human development and family science or psychology) and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in counseling from Messiah University in five years.
Programs related to Human Development and Family Science
In the Human Development and Family Science program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Human Development and Family Science:
Human Development and Family Science (B.A.)
Human Development and Family Science Minor
Human Development and Family Science careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Human Development and Family Science program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- CURE International
- HOPE International
- COBYS Family Services
- Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital
- Pennsylvania Counseling Services
- Dauphin County Children and Youth Services
- Domestic Violence Shelter of Chester County
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
- Bethanna Christian Services
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Ephrata Community Hospital
- Messiah University
- Susquenita School District
- Souderton School District
- Penn State Extension
- Middletown School District
- Method3
- Governor’s office of legislative affairs
- Refugee Hope Partners
What they do
- Child life specialist
- Surgical sponsorship coordinator
- Case manger
- Foster care worker
- Adoption coordinator
- Early intervention specialist
- Family and consumer sciences teacher
- Training coordinator and educator
- Nutrition educator
- Counselor
- Graduate student
- Therapeutic support staff
- Preschool teacher
- Life enrichment coordinator
- Assistant group supervisor
- Special events coordinator
- Case coach
- Community income development specialist
- Restorative Therapy Aide
- Pregnancy counselor
- Personal care aide
- Resource home coordinator
- Family engagement meetings coordinator
- Housing manager
- Children’s mental health case worker
- Pastor of congregational care
- Family development specialist
- Parent educator
- Social worker
- Program developer
- Service coordinator
- Sales representative
- Assistant professor
- Registered behavior technician
Graduate school
- University of Philadelphia
- Teesside University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Messiah University
- Temple University
- Mercy College
- Saddleback Community College
- Towson University
- Focus on the Family Institute
- Texas Women's University
- University of Rochester
- La Salle University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Berklee School of Music
- Johns Hopkins University
- Indiana University
- Bethel Theological Seminary
- Biblical Seminary
- Drexel University
- Eastern University
- Fuller Theological Seminary
- Hahnemann University
- John Brown University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Regent University
- Rutgers State University
- Shippensburg University
- Syracuse University
- Trinity Theological Seminary
- University of Connecticut
- University of Delaware
- University of Maryland
- University of North Carolina
- University of Wisconsin
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute; State University
98% of the Class of 2025 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
MEET ALUMNI FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE
Practical learning opportunities
You’ll take the knowledge you gain to the public—interning at human service agencies and even presenting with faculty at regional and national conferences. You may wish to join the Messiah Council on Family Relations (MCFR) – a student professional organization affiliated with the National Council on Family Relations.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
Program flexibility
This program offers the flexibility to take on a minor (inside and outside of the department), study abroad, participate in an internship or graduate early. With careful planning, you could graduate in 3.5 years.
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