Skip to main content Skip to navigation
Washington State University

Careers in Human Development

WSU Commencement CapHuman Development provides students with a strong background in development across the life span, within a variety of contexts including the family, the community, and society. Through course work selection, students may stress family studies or a particular segment of the lifespan such as early childhood, adolescence, or later adulthood.

The Family and Consumer Education teaching certificate program prepares students to instruct junior and senior high school students and adults in family and consumer sciences, which may cover subjects as parenting, leadership, health, family financial management and nutrition. Many students also choose to obtain supporting endorsement in areas such as health or Spanish education.

Human development graduates are ready for careers in public and private human service agencies and local, state, and federal government in:

  • Case management and human services
  • Child and family advocacy
  • Domestic violence services
  • Early childhood education
  • Family and consumer sciences
  • Health services
  • Hospice and bereavement
  • Justice and correction services
  • Mental health agencies
  • Parks and recreation programming
  • Services for adolescents and older adults
  • Special needs services

The human development major also provides a strong foundation for students seeking graduate or professional degrees in areas such as health sciences, psychology, counseling, and prevention science.

Job Titles by Area of Specialization