Human Development & Family Science
Students in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) receive the knowledge and skills needed to help individuals and families across the lifespan to flourish in a global society. The degree prepares students for a wide range of careers in diverse settings including community-based social services, prevention, advocacy, family intervention, case management, program development and evaluation, and nonprofit management. Core coursework focuses on development across the lifespan and understanding family relationships, the environments in which individuals live and learn, and the unique strengths and needs of diverse individuals and families. After completing the degree, you will not only make a living, but you will also make a difference in the world around you.
News and Information
NEWS: KENT STATE STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO THE SUMMER OHIO SCHOLARS IN AGING PROGRAM
Congratulations to Julia Cuglewski (Gerontology), Karin Himstedt (Nursing Home Administration), Karli McDonald (Nursing Home Administration), Ana Petrovska (Nursing Home Administration), Genna Sink (Nursing Home Administration), and Charity Stackhouse (Nursing Home Administration), who have all been accepted into the Summer 2016 cohort of the Ohio Scholars in Aging Program jointly sponsored by the Ohio Department of Aging and Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE).
For more information, please visit the Ohio Scholars in Aging Program page on the OAGE website.
NEWS: NEW MINORS IN HDFS AND NONPROFIT STUDIES
In an effort to better prepare students to meet the needs of area nonprofit and human service organizations the HDFS program offers minors in Human Development and Family Science, Gerontology, and Nonprofit Studies. These minors are open to students from any major interested in contributing to the quality of life and well being of individuals and families across the lifespan. Please contact Dr. Kelly Cichy at kcichy@kent.edu or Kathy Bergh at kbergh@kent.edu for more information.
NEWS: HDFS PROGRAM WELCOMES NEW POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR
Drs. Greg Smith and Kelly Cichy received an internal award from the Division of Research and Economic Development to support a full-time Post-doctoral Research Fellowship focused on research on stress, social support, and healthy aging. Drs. Smith and Cichy are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jeong Eun Lee (Jel) who joined their research team this fall as a Postdoctoral Scholar. Dr. Lee holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University and Yonsei University, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Yonsei University. Dr. Lee's research examines dyadic coping and social support between dyads in the context of chronic illness.
NEWS: STUDYING WELL-BEING OF CUSTODIAL GRANDMOTHERS & GRANDCHILDREN
University researchers in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services are engaged in a multimillion-dollar study of interventions for improving the psychological well-being of custodial grandmothers and the grandchildren for whom they provide full-time care.