Human Development & Family Science
Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Science
Format: In person or online- see below
Credit Hours: 124
Do you have a passion for working with children and families and a drive to help them grow throughout the different stages of life?
Georgia Southern University’s Human Development & Family Science degree program takes a family-oriented approach to lifespan development. Designed to provide a strong background in the social and behavioral sciences related to child development, family development and the administration of programs for children and families, the Human Development & Family Science major gives you the tools you need to make an immediate and profound difference in the lives of others. A minor in Human Development & Family Science is also available if your major is in another discipline.
Careers in Human Development & Family Science
With a major Human Development & Family Science , you can begin a career that will allow you to make an immediate and profound difference in others’ lives, such as:
- Adoption and foster care agencies
- Assisted Living Activity Coordinators
- Crisis and Domestic Violence Shelters
- Preschool teacher
- Parent educator
- Youth development specialist
- See more on the Careers page
Ready to Apply?
Or, you can:
Human Development & Family Science majors can choose among a variety of career pathways:
Family Services Career Pathway
Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus or Online
Credit Hours: 124
Currently offered on the Statesboro Campus and Fully Online, the concentration in Family Services addresses issues that individuals, families and communities face across the lifespan, with a focus on empowerment and reinforcing existing strengths. The goal of this program is to prepare you for employment in a variety of settings, such as social work, legal and public policy, case management or direct service.
Family Services Internship Opportunities
- Social work agencies (adoption and foster care)
- Parent educator
- Crisis centers
- Cooperative Extension
- Assisted living centers
Child Development Career Pathway
Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus
Credit Hours: 124
The Child Development career pathways prepares you to work professionally in diverse settings with young children — infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners — and their families to promote child and youth development. The Child Development curriculum focuses on putting developmental theory into practice and promoting optimal development of all young children including those with special needs in inclusive settings.
Child Development Internship Opportunities
- Early intervention programs working with children with disabilities
- After school/camp youth development programs
- Child development centers
- Childcare centers
- Preschools
- Head Start
- 4-H programs
Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus or online
Credit Hours: 124
Birth-Kindergarten Teacher Education Degree Concentration
Format: In person on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah
Credit Hours: 124
The goal of the Birth-Kindergarten Teacher Education concentration is to prepare you to work professionally with children and their families in a variety of settings, including serving children with special needs. This early childhood education program takes a holistic approach to addressing the diverse needs of children and families to ensure high quality and equitable classroom experiences for each and every child. This degree concentration can lead to initial birth through kindergarten teaching certification and will be offered only on the Armstrong Campus starting in Fall 2020. Applications for the first cohort are currently being accepted.
Students graduating with a degree in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Birth-Kindergarten Teacher Education are eligible to apply for a Georgia teaching certificate.
Practicum and Student Teaching Opportunities
- Public prekindergarten and kindergarten
- Head Start and Early Head Start
- Child development centers
- Preschool programs

Get Hands-On Experience in Georgia Southern’s On-site Child Development Center
Georgia Southern offers you hands-on learning opportunities at the Georgia Southern University Child Development Center located on the Statesboro Campus. The center houses observation areas and laboratory facilities that offer you real world experiences working directly with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years to prepare you for your future career.

Do You Have Questions? Contact Us!
Beth Myers
Chair
IAB Building Office 3057
Phone: 912-478-6996
E-mail: bmyers@georgiasouthern.edu
Tameka Ardrey
Coordinator Birth-Kindergarten
University Hall 213
Phone: 912-344-3247
Email: tardrey@georgiasouthern.edu