How to transfer your college credits into a meaningful career path with a Human Development and Family Science degree
Already earned college credits? Apply them toward your online HDFS degree at Ohio State and keep moving forward with a flexible, transfer-friendly program.
Do you hold an associate degree and feel ready for the next step in your career path? Or do you have college credits sitting unused that you’d like to put to work? The online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) degree at The Ohio State University was designed with students like you in mind.
You have already built a strong academic foundation — now you can carry that progress forward and prepare for a career supporting individuals, families, and communities.
Why earn a bachelor’s degree?
If you already hold an associate degree or have earned college credits, you may be wondering if it’s worth the investment to finish a degree online. Here are a few things to consider:
Increase your salary
Employees with a bachelor’s degree tend to out-earn those without one. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2022, the median annual earnings for a full-time worker were:
- $45,200 for a full-time worker with no degree
- $49,500 with an associate degree
- $66,600 with a bachelor’s degree
Finishing your bachelor’s degree can make a meaningful difference in your long-term earning potential.
Advance your education
The same report puts the median annual earnings for a worker with a master’s degree or higher at $80,200. If you are considering continuing your education, a bachelor’s degree is a key step toward pursuing a master’s or other advanced degrees.
Expand your leadership opportunities
Even if you love the work you are doing now, a Human Development and Family Science degree can open doors to leadership or management roles in fields that help others. These opportunities may translate to higher salaries, increased responsibilities, and new ways to make a difference.
Build on your progress
Make the most of what you’ve already accomplished! You’ve made progress toward a bachelor’s degree, and now you’re positioned to save time and tuition while moving closer to your goals. Credits you’ve earned through your associate degree or other college coursework may be transferred* into the HDFS program.
*Transfer credits must be evaluated for eligibility. Students must complete at least 30 credit hours through the HDFS program.
What kind of credits do I need to get started?
To begin the online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science program, you’ll need at least 30 post-high-school semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of college credit*. Beyond that requirement, our program welcomes students from many academic paths. There’s no single “right” background needed for admission.
Associate degrees that commonly transfer well into Human Development and Family Science include, but are not limited to:
- Early Childhood Education
- Child Development
- Health Services
- Humanities
- Associate of Arts
- Individualized Studies
- Teacher Education
- …and many more
If you have questions, like how to know if your college credits will transfer, our enrollment advisors can help you understand your next steps.
What can I do with an HDFS degree?
An HDFS degree prepares you for a wide range of careers, including roles in education, human services, health-related settings, and nonprofit and community organizations. Through the program, you’ll develop skills in communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding family systems — all highly valued across multiple fields.
Here are some examples of what you can do with a human development degree:
Education and youth development
- Youth service coordinator
- Childcare director
- Family engagement specialist
- Teaching assistant
- Academic advisor
- Admissions counselor
Human and social services
- Human services assistant
- Human support specialist
- Community outreach coordinator
- Case manager
Health and allied health
- Child life specialist
- Patient or family advocate
- Health education specialist
- Community health worker
- Public health educator
Nonprofit and community outreach
- Program manager
- Volunteer coordinator
- Community engagement specialist
- Development or fundraising coordinator
Key takeaway: No matter your background, an HDFS degree opens doors to meaningful careers where you can apply your skills and experience to make a real difference. Learn more about potential career paths with an HDFS degree and explore real-life examples of graduates’ journeys.
Why choose Ohio State’s Human Development and Family Science degree online program?
Ohio State’s online HDFS degree combines flexibility, support, and academic excellence to help you achieve your career goals, all while fitting into your busy life.
Flexibility
Ohio State’s online HDFS degree program is a transfer-friendly bachelor’s degree that’s designed for exploration. With flexible elective options, we encourage you to focus on the areas that interest you and best align with your dream career.
Designed with working adults in mind
We understand: you are working, raising a family, or juggling other responsibilities. Ohio State’s online HDFS program is 100% online and nearly entirely asynchronous, meaning you can manage your classes alongside your busy life.
Supportive learning environment
The supportive faculty in the HDFS program understand that students are humans with other demands on their time and energy, and they are committed to providing guidance and flexibility to help you succeed. All online students have access to dedicated advisors who help from start to finish: enrollment advisors can guide you through the application process, while student success coordinators are ready to help throughout your time as a student and through graduation.
Become a Buckeye
When you enroll in an online program through Ohio State, you become a Buckeye, connecting you to the state’s largest university system and all of its resources, such as our alumni network and career placement tools.
Reputation
Ohio State’s online HDFS degree program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In addition, our College of Education and Human Ecology, which houses this degree, is a top-ranked education school (U.S. News and World Report).
Keep moving forward with a bachelor’s degree
When you’re ready to continue your journey and upgrade your career, we’re here!
- Curious about the HDFS bachelor’s degree? Explore the possibilities.
- Want to connect with an enrollment advisor? Request information any time.
- Questions about how transferring college credits works? Read about how to transfer college credits.
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