Bachelor of Science
If you're passionate about strengthening families, supporting communities, and working with diverse populations, the B.S. in Human Development and Family Science (HDFC) could be the perfect fit for you. This nationally recognized program, accredited by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), prepares students for meaningful careers in family services, education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, and much more. Students develop essential skills in critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving while gaining a deep understanding of human development across the lifespan. Graduates of the program are eligible for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential, a valuable certification in the field. The program also offers flexibility for students to tailor their area of focus to specific career goals and interests.
Learn moreArea: US
View more labor market information and see other snapshots.
Some of the graduates of this program have gone on to work for:
Graduates of this program have gone on to become:
Many of the graduates of this program find themselves working in:
In addition to the core professional courses in human development and family studies, students will choose an area of concentration.
This concentration includes courses in childhood education and development; racial, cultural, and ethnic influences on identity development; the context of poverty; and more.
This concentration includes courses in abnormal and social psychology, working with multicultural populations, special education, and more.
This concentration focuses on working with aging populations.
Winthrop's HDFS program was the first academic program in South Carolina to achieve Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) approved program status.
Students complete at least 300 hours of work experience with internship placements at a variety of agencies, organizations and corporations.
Learn from faculty who are committed to research and scholarly endeavors that both inform the profession and enhance public education in our society.
Robert Harris
Human Development and Family Studies, Class of 2012
"[Former sociology professor Kelly James] was very influential to me during my time at Winthrop. Her classes taught us how to live our truth. She made content meaningful, relevant and engaging. I model my teaching style after hers and have seen great success because of it!"
Read more