UH junior Hussein Bakir supports the HDFS name change because it represents the evidence-based
research and teaching done in the program.Hussein Bakir said choosing his major in the 兔子先生 College of Education was one of the best decisions he ever made.
鈥淚f you are like me, passionate about social sciences, social issues and liberal arts like history and philosophy, then HDFS is for you,鈥� said Bakir, a junior who expects to graduate in fall 2023.
The degree program 鈥� called Human Development and Family Sciences 鈥� has given him the opportunity to study people and relationships in relevant ways. For example, he conducted a six-week case study using a varied scope of observation methods and created interventions to further develop a child鈥檚 motor skills.
To reflect the program鈥檚 real-world, data-based approach, the faculty recently gained state approval to change the second part of the name from 鈥淔amily Studies鈥� to 鈥淔amily Sciences.鈥� The move, which took effect Sept. 1, is part of a national trend to more accurately describe the rigor of the increasingly relevant field.
鈥淭he name change is to convey that the research and teaching we are doing is evidence based,鈥� said Associate Professor Leslie Frankel, who helped spearhead the proposal .
鈥淭he topics in HDFS might be broad, but they are specific and research based,鈥� Bakir added. 鈥淭he word 鈥榮tudies鈥� seems to be a bit of a general label, which I feel did not fully denote the essence of the program.鈥�
The curriculum examines human development across the lifespan, from prenatal and infant development to old age, and how that drives contemporary family and social interactions. The knowledge prepares students for a wide range of successful careers, from early childhood professionals and academic advisors to public relations managers, outreach specialists and therapists.
Program Director Toya Conston said the field has become more pertinent than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. 鈥淲ith so many organizations and institutions looking to see how they can help others, having an understanding of family dynamics and the science and research behind (human) development gives students an edge over the competition,鈥� she said.
Demand has been growing. Over 380 students enrolled in the program in fall 2022, up 40% from a decade ago. In addition, the College鈥檚 new dual degree program allows students to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in HDFS and a master鈥檚 degree in special populations in five years, preparing them to work with high-need individuals using evidence-based interventions.
鈥淭his program gives students an opportunity to not only learn about the theories on how to best serve these communities but also opportunities for application prior to graduation,鈥� Conston said.
Clinical Associate Professor Erica Jordan describes HDFS as the sweet spot between the fields of psychology and sociology. While psychology often focuses on the individual and sociology often concentrates on communities and institutions, HDFS is concerned with the interactions between individuals, families and communities, she said.
鈥淚 learned how to advocate for underserved populations by providing education and awareness and by creating programs based on community collaborations,鈥� said Aledrian Kemp, who graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in HDFS in 2021. She鈥檚 now pursuing a master鈥檚 in the field at Texas Woman鈥檚 University.
Molly Wagner, another 2021 HDFS graduate, recalled designing a nonprofit to serve children with learning disabilities during her time in the program. She learned how to determine evidence-based best practices, and that exercise proved valuable in the real world, offering insights she can use as an early childhood educator.
鈥淗DFS has prepared me by providing me the knowledge and myriad of experiences needed to interact with families and children in a multicultural community,鈥� she said.
The name change makes sense, she said, because HDFS 鈥� is a science first and foremost. It鈥檚 the study of families and the interconnected communities that shape them. Data from those studies is what gives us the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in this field.鈥�
HDFS faculty recently were recognized with the UH Group Teaching Excellence Award, and program advisor Jane Sidwell said the professors practice what they preach. 鈥淭hey try to accommodate our students and help them reach their goals,鈥� Sidwell said. 鈥淚nstead of, 鈥極h sorry, this class is full. You鈥檒l have to wait,鈥� they go out of their way to help students.鈥�
Sidwell said the field offers a strong grounding for students entering a range of careers, including health care professions . 鈥淣o matter what, you鈥檙e going to deal with human beings, and better understanding human beings helps you better practice health care and the wide variety of careers that HDFS prepares students to enter.鈥�
In fact, Wagner said, HDFS is a 鈥渏ack of all trades鈥� degree because it prepares students to succeed in an assortment of careers. 鈥淚f I wanted to go into another field, I would feel very well equipped with what I鈥檝e learned from HDFS,鈥� she said.
鈥� By Lillian Hoang
鈥� Photo courtesy of Hussein Bakir