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. Understanding how people learn, grow and change is important to all aspects of human life and there is a growing need for social and human services professionals. Careers in the social and human services field is growing much faster than the average and the HDFR major is filling an important gap by providing a unique pathway for students to pursue these in-demand human services careers.
HDFR focuses on the development of the whole person across the lifespan with a special focus on the systems that shape our culture, community and identity. Courses discuss goal planning, personal finance, decision making, socialization throughout the life cycle and counseling techniques, all the while preparing you with 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 and adapt and solve 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 built-in to the HDFR major and you will be well prepared for the job market or graduate programs. Our alumni have gone on to graduate programs in counseling, psychology, law among others, and currently make 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 own lifelong learning. Through innovative teaching strategies, we ensure you receive a high-quality education that continues to evolve with 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