Careers
Although I have only just begun my college journey, the Human and Family Development program has already widened my opportunities as a UM student. As a Psychology major, I plan to go on and pursue my masters in Occupational Therapy. The Human and Family development minor has given me opportunities I can look forward to as continue on with my undergraduate study.
Heather Laroque, HFD Minor
A Human and Family Development minor is likely to benefit any undergraduate and graduate student interested in a particular age-group or aspect of human development. Academic majors that directly lend themselves to this orientation include:
- Psychology
- Education
- Social work
- Communications
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Pre-medical sciences
- Nursing
- Physical therapy
- Health
- Occupational Therapy
- Public Health
The program is not designed to equip students with the technical skills or knowledge needed in any particular profession. Rather, it is designed to supplement the knowledge base of students by providing a human and family development specialty orientation to their fields of major interest. A variety of professions involve an academic background in human and family development:
- Child care
- Early Intervention
- Family services
- Mental health services
- Nursing
- Social work
- Developmental disabilities
- Early childhood services
- Elementary and secondary education
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation
Indeed, most students with degrees in human and family development pursue careers in counseling or psychological services, early intervention, teaching, and social work. Students with other career goals also may find the program rewarding. For example: a business major interested in consumer economics or family service administration; a radio-television major interested in children's programming; a forestry major interested in recreational management appropriate to a particular age group.