Human Development & Family Relations Department
Make a Career Helping Others
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Human Development and Family
Relations (HDFR). In HDFR, we are committed to supporting the well-being of individuals,
families and communities in a diverse, global society.
Today is an exciting time for human development and family science because understanding how people learn, grow and change is important to all aspects of human life. There is a growing need for social and human services professionals, as careers in the field are growing much faster than average. The HDFR major is filling an important gap by providing a unique pathway to pursue in-demand human services careers, without the need for an advanced degree.
HDFR focuses on the development of the whole person across the lifespan with a special emphasis on the systems that shape our culture, community and identity. Courses discuss family dynamics, parenting, social issues (e.g., abuse and neglect), mental health, aging, socialization throughout the life cycle, health and well-being, all the while preparing you to develop professionalism and ethical standards that will benefit you throughout your life and work. With this knowledge, you are able to help people create strong families, adapt and solve important problems.
We are proud of our community partnerships and are always working to create opportunities for you to get involved in research and service projects. Hands-on, experiential learning opportunities are embedded into the HDFR major, preparing you for the job market or graduate programs. Our alumni have gone on to graduate programs in counseling, psychology and law among others. They are currently making an impact in human services agencies across New York state and beyond.
Since academic excellence and student success are top priorities, dedicated faculty at both our main and branch campuses are committed to their lifelong learning. Through innovative teaching and practice, we ensure you receive a high-quality education that continues to evolve with the changing times.
Our vision is to prepare you — the next generation of scholars — to lead and serve in the human services field, and improve the lives of people in a complex world. I invite you to learn more about us and discover the positive impact that HDFR is making for our students and the community at large. We welcome you to join us and hope you will consider becoming a part of our growing community.
Dr. Lolita Kincade
Associate Professor & Chair