The Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) academic subject certification focuses on supporting positive human development over the life course in diverse economic and cultural contexts. HDFS helps people identify and develop important life skills for effective management of personal, family, and community resources, enabling families to thrive and lead healthy and happy lives. Students are prepared for positions in family service agencies; family life and parenting education programs; children's, youth, and gerontology programs; child care and early childhood education centers; and consumer affairs agencies.
After completing the program graduates will be able to:
- Plan for the changing needs, dynamics, and challenges families experience over time
- Articulate the growth and development of individuals over the human life cycle
- Describe the interrelationships of families and communities in the context of diverse socio-economic and cultural systems
Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is currently offered as a four-year degree at UH Mānoa. The courses included in this academic subject certificate will count towards transfer credit for the HDFS degree.