Making an Impact with an Online Degree in Human Development and Family Studies

Catherine was “floating and wanted a little more direction.” 

Catherine earned an associates degree in general studies from USU before getting married and starting her family. As her children got older, she felt that there was more that she could do. So, she working at Little Brigham Aggies, a day care center on USU’s Brigham City campus.
 
Every day as she went to work, she passed by the flyers and posters highlighting the various programs and degrees. “I think I can do more,” she thought, and start researching the various degrees that USU offers. Because she had been out of school for several years, Catherine was drawn to its online programs for their flexibility to fit around her family and community responsibilities and work.
 
Catherine enrolled in USU’s Human Development and Family Studies degree, then Family Life Studies. She wanted to be able to connect with people and help them improve their lives while making an impact in her community.
 
“It was really easy to get started, and once I got into the program and classes, it was very beneficial to me to map it out and come up with what was required of me to be successful and actually graduate with my degree.”
 
Catherine graduated in 2019, and credits the attentive professors, the organization and structure of the courses, Statewide Campus resources, and her academic advisor Sarah for helping her stay engaged throughout the program. Skills she developed during the program prepared her to later complete her master’s degree in school counseling and working with parents and families in her career as a middle school counselor.
 
To anyone interested in pursuing a degree in human development and family studies or family education, Catherine suggests making sure you have the ability and desire to connect with people where they are without bias or judgement. The HDFS program, she notes, helps students break down their biases and see the bigger picture of individuals. “You’ll find more success and enjoyment out of the experience.”
 
To learn more about USU’s online human development and family studies, visit online.usu.edu or reach out to Dan Allred at dan.allred@usu.edu.