BS Human Development and Family Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Texas Austin

Program Overview

The BS in Human Development and Family Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin explores how individuals develop within family, social, economic, community, and governmental contexts, combining study of human development with research, statistics, physical sciences, and practical experience. It suits students interested in understanding people and families and preparing for careers or further study in healthcare, research, medicine, human services, and related fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in human development, family relationships, and the sciences. Courses include HDF 304 – Family Relationships, HDF 313 – Child Development, and HDF 113L – Child Development Laboratory, where students connect developmental theory with observation of children and families.

Year 2: The focus moves toward research methods, health, development across the lifespan, and community experience. Students study HDF 315L – Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences, HDF 305 – Health and Development Across the Lifespan, and HDF 352 – Field Experience: Community, developing both research and applied skills.

Year 3: Students progress into advanced HDFS study and gain substantial research experience through HDF 355R – Problems Course: Research Practicum. They can also explore subjects such as Adult Development, Personal Relationships, Infant Development and Attachment Relationships, or Adolescent Development in Context, allowing them to connect developmental theory with specialized interests.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced coursework, professional preparation, and completion of practical or research requirements. Students can undertake advanced HDFS subjects alongside H E 103P – Professional Development II and complete research or field-based experiences that translate classroom learning into preparation for graduate study and professional careers.

Focus Areas

Human development, family relationships, child development, health and wellbeing, lifespan development, research methods, family and social contexts, community practice, and applied research.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop knowledge of human development and family dynamics, research and statistical skills, observational and experimental research techniques, and practical experience through research labs, community partnerships, and field placements.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Professional preparation: The curriculum incorporates research, field practicum, professional development, and applied experiences relevant to careers involving children, families, adults, healthcare, research, government, and nonprofit organizations. The official UT Austin program materials do not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BS in Human Development and Family Sciences.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Graduate pathways: UT Austin reports that HDFS graduates move into healthcare, nonprofit, business, government, graduate school, health professional school, and medical school, with the university's Career Services providing graduate-outcome data for the major.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BS in Human Development and Family Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin build practical skills through observation, research, writing, and direct engagement with children, families, communities, and research settings. The program includes a required six-hour practicum, completed through research or field placements during the junior or senior year, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Students can also develop research experience through faculty-led projects and specialized HDFS research labs, while the Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory provides a dedicated setting for hands-on experience with young children and families.

Practical opportunities include:

Required Practicum: Complete six hours through options such as HDF 352 Field Experience: Community, HDF 652F Field Practicum: Community, HDF 352L Field Experience: Early Childhood, HDF 652P Field Practicum: Early Childhood, HDF 359 Advanced Applied Research Experience, or HDF 355R Problems Course: Research Practicum.
Child Development Laboratory: Gain observation-based experience through HDF 113L Child Development Laboratory, alongside HDF 313 Child Development.
Research Methods: Build applied research skills through HDF 315L Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences, with the curriculum emphasizing observation, research and writing.
Advanced Applied Research: HDF 359 Advanced Applied Research Experience allows upper-division students to apply research skills in transdisciplinary areas, with laboratory hours required for the course.
Faculty Research Labs: Students can pursue HDFS-related research through faculty opportunities and labs, with current research spanning child and adolescent development, family relationships, culture, social contexts and health.
JUNTOS Lab: Undergraduate research assistants contribute to research examining how culture, ethnicity, gender, family and media influence the health and well-being of Latino and Hispanic youth and families.
Child & Family Laboratory: The Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory is a model preschool and training facility where students can gain hands-on experience working with young children and families.
Community Experience: Field practicum options allow students to apply HDFS knowledge through community placements, providing direct experience beyond classroom study.
Research Opportunities Across UT: HDFS students can also explore research opportunities with Dell Medical School, College of Education, School of Social Work, Sociology and Psychology faculty, in addition to HDFS faculty research.
Research Facilities & Digital Resources: Students conducting research can use UT Libraries, including the Life Science Library, which provides biology research guides, databases, journals and method/protocol resources, as well as computers and software access.
Research & Data Tools: UT Libraries also provides access to databases, e-journals, e-books, Google Scholar, computer labs and software, supporting research and data-oriented coursework.
Honors Research: HDFS honors students can undertake supervised individual research through HDF 379H Honors Tutorial Course, including laboratory, library or field research, followed by an oral presentation and scholarly paper.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Human Development and Family Sciences prepares students for employment across healthcare, nonprofit organizations, business, government, schools, and community services, while also providing a foundation for graduate and health professional education. UT Austin reports that graduates have moved into roles such as behavioral therapist, project manager, human resources administrator, community educator, and youth development associate.

Typical Job Roles: Behavioral Therapist, Project Manager, Human Resources Administrator, Community Educator.

Career Support & Employment Services:

Career Coaching: College of Natural Sciences Career Services provides HDFS students with access to career coaches, career exploration resources, job and internship guidance, networking, interview preparation, and graduate-school preparation.
Internships: HDFS students can gain practical experience through the HDFS Applied or Research Practicum, internships, and Texas Global opportunities abroad.
Research Experience: Students can participate in HDFS faculty research opportunities and external research programs such as NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates.
Career Opportunities: UT Austin's 12twenty platform connects students and alumni with local, national, and global employers offering internships, full-time positions, and other career opportunities.

Employment Statistics & Salary Information:

Employment Outcomes: UT Austin's HDFS graduation survey data for 2014–2023 shows 35% employed, 16% seeking employment, 15% entering graduate school, 13% entering other health professional schools, 5% entering medical school, and 16% reporting other plans.
Salary Figures: UT Austin's official HDFS career materials reviewed for this program do not publish a specific salary range or median salary for HDFS graduates, so no salary figure is stated here.
Career Pathways: The university reports HDFS graduates entering healthcare, nonprofit, business, and government careers as well as health and graduate schools.

University–Industry Connections: UT Austin's reported HDFS employer data includes organizations such as Apple, Austin Regional Clinic, Austin State Hospital, Baylor Scott & White Health, and Action Behavior Centers, demonstrating the range of healthcare, business, and community organizations where HDFS graduates have worked.

Hands-On Career Preparation: HDFS students can apply classroom knowledge through internships, research, study abroad, and practicum experiences, while the curriculum includes a required practicum component that allows students to apply skills in research and field placements.

Accreditation Value: UT Austin's official HDFS program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the BS in Human Development and Family Sciences. The degree therefore should not be presented as carrying a specialized professional accreditation unless UT Austin specifies one.

Graduation Outcomes: HDFS graduates follow diverse pathways after completing the degree, including direct employment, graduate study, medical school, and other health professional programs. UT Austin also provides alumni-reported information on employers, job titles, internships, and graduate schools to help students understand potential post-graduation routes.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into graduate or professional education in areas such as human development and family sciences, public health, counseling, social work, education, occupational therapy, medicine, and other health professions. UT Austin's HDFS graduate program accepts students with an undergraduate degree and offers a PhD pathway, while its alumni data shows graduates progressing to institutions and programs including Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins School of Education, Texas Woman's University, Texas State University, and the University of Michigan.