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Family and Consumer Sciences

University of Wyoming

Department #3354

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307)766-4145

Email: fam-consci@uwyo.edu

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B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences

Student Pushing Children on Tire Swing


The bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) provides students with a strong foundation in human development and family sciences while also allowing for a wide range of personalized electives and internship experiences.

Upon completion of our degree program, students have the option of submitting their transcripts and materials to the National Council on Family Relationships to become a Certified Family Life Educator. Our department was the first in the nation to obtain program approval. For information on this certification, go to http://www.ncfr.org.

We also offer a Human Development and Family Sciences Minor.


Career Opportunities

Students graduating from the HDFS program are prepared to work in a variety of critical fields that serve individuals and families across the lifespan, or to continue their education at the graduate level.

Fields with demand for our graduates include:

 

Early childhood programs such as:

  • Early childhood education centers
  • Childcare facilities
  • Child protective services
  • Head Start programs
  • Developmental preschools
  • Child advocacy centers

 

 Youth programs such as:

  • After-school programs
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Life RU Ready
  • Youth crisis centers
  • Alternative youth facilities
  • Youth ministry
  • 4-H
  • Public school FCS teacher grades 6-12

 Family support programs such as:

  • Foster care and adoption services
  • Family resource centers
  • Family crisis centers
  • Parenting programs
  • WIC
  • CLIMB Wyoming

 

Senior programs such as:

  • Senior centers
  • Senior support and crisis services
  • Hospice
  • Meals on Wheels

 

Governmental agencies such as:

  • Department of Family Services
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Corrections

Community service agencies such as

  • Adult protective services
  • Community centers
  • Homeless services
  • Violence and assault support programs
  • Disability services
  • Nutrition assistance programs
  • Red Cross
  • Salvation Army
  • Interfaith/Good Samaritan
  • YMCA/YWCA 

 

Higher education areas such as:

  • Advising and career services
  • Student success services
  • Disability support services
  • Residence life
  • Admissions
 

In addition to specific courses required for the major, students can also structure their schedule to allow for a minor or area of emphasis. Possible minors include (but are not limited to): early childhood education, disability studies, psychology, Spanish, criminal justice, religious students, and professional writing.


HDFS Internships

HDFS students are required to participate in an internship. The HDFS internship opportunity provides hands-on experiential learning in a human services organization or agency and can also provide connections to possible jobs and careers. Every effort is made to find an internship placement that meets the unique learning goals of the student. Internships can take place in Laramie or in communities across the state or nation. In the past, students have interned at youth crisis centers, home visiting programs, aging services providers, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, family planning agencies, religious settings, homeless shelters, etc.

Each student entering the program must successfully pass a criminal background check upon declaring their major. Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the program.

 
 
Contact Us

Family and Consumer Sciences

University of Wyoming

Department #3354

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307)766-4145

Email: fam-consci@uwyo.edu

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