The table below is a sampling of the types of career opportunities that await a Human Development and Family Science or Family and Consumer Sciences graduate. For a PDF file of this table, click here
Education Employment Opportunities:
- Public School Teaching in Family & Consumer Sciences (Certification)
- University Teaching & Research in Family Science Departments
- Family Life and Sexuality Education Programs in Parish & Community Setting
- Parent Educators
- Family Peace & Justice Education
- Children’s Museum Education
- Marriage & Family Enrichment Facilitators
Community-Based Social Services Employment Opportunities:
- Adoption Agencies
- Foster Care Programs
- Teen Pregnancy Counselor
- Family Preservation Worker
- Welfare Assistance for Low-Income Families
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Job Training
- Adult Day Care Providers
- Gerontology Programs
Business, Consumer & Family Resources Services Employment Opportunities:
- Employee Assistance Specialist
- Corporate Day Care Administrator
- Consumer Protection Agencies
- Family Financial Counseling & Planning
- Family Resource Management
- Food Assistance Programs
- Child and Family Poverty Research
- Research on Work and Families
- Family Business Consultant
Government & Public Policy Employment Opportunities:
- Family Policy Analyst
- Advocate/Lobbyist on Behalf of Children, Women & Family Well-Being
- Cooperative Extension Specialist
- Aid to Dependent Children
- Military Family Support Services
- Department of Child & Family Services
Research Employment Opportunities:
- Grant Proposal Writing
- Academic and Government-Related Research in Family Science Content Areas
- Population Studies & Demographic Research
- Community-Based Research for Non-Profit Family Agencies
- Program Evaluation & Assessment
Health Care & Family Wellness Employment Opportunities:
- Public Health Programs & Service
- Hospital Family Support Professionals
- Nutrition Education & Counseling
- Prenatal and Maternity Services
- Holistic Health Centers
- Long-Term Care Administrator
- Hospice Programs
International Education & Development Employment Opportunities:
- International Family Policy Analyst
- Peace Corps and NGO Leadership
- Global Family Planning Programs
- Community & Sustainable Development
- International Human Rights Advocacy
- Immigration & Migrant Families Services
- Cross-Cultural Family Studies Programs
Writing & Communication Employment Opportunities:
- Curriculum & Resource Development in Family Life Education
- Public Service Radio and TV Programming
- Newspaper & Magazine Journalism on Social Issues Affecting Children and Families
Family Intervention Employment Opportunities:
- Individual & Family Therapy
- Case Manager for Family Treatment Plans
- Crisis & Hotline Services
- Court-Mandated Parent Education Programs
- Divorce Mediation
- Abuse Protection Services
- Drug & Alcohol Prevention Counselors
- Residential Treatment Programs
- Victim/Witness Support Services
Early Childhood Education Employment Opportunities:
- Day Care Centers
- Head Start Programs
- Montessori Schools
- Child Development Consultant
From Hollinger, M.A. (2002). Family science: Historical roots, theoretical foundations, and disciplinary identity. Journal of Teaching Marriage and Family, 2, 299-328.