What is Human Development and Family Science? A conversation with Dr. Eugene Folden

Associate Professor of Clinical Practice Dr. Eugene Folden has spent over three decades shaping The Ohio State University’s Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) program. His passion and dedication have earned him multiple teaching awards, including the Ohio State Alumni Association’s Distinguished Teacher Award, and he has guided countless students in understanding how people and families develop over time.

We spoke with Dr. Folden about the HDFS program and what potential students might not know about this flexible, fascinating, and career-friendly degree path for students who want to make a difference.

What is HDFS?

It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of human growth, family dynamics, and the contexts that influence them.

HDFS is an interdisciplinary major and field that investigates what makes human beings human, blending the individual focus of psychology, the group focus of sociology, and the environmental context of human ecology to study development. As a broad liberal arts degree, it is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of human growth, family dynamics, and the contexts (such as communities and culture) that influence them.

I often refer to it as a generalist degree, meaning the focus is on adaptable “soft skills” like critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving rather than deep expertise in one niche, making graduates versatile for various roles and careers, especially for adult learners or those unsure of a specific career path. It’s why I encourage people to consider HDFS as their major.

Who is a good fit for a degree in HDFS?

HDFS is a strong fit for anyone who has ever thought, “I know I want to work with people, but I don’t know what career to choose.”

HDFS is a strong fit for anyone who has ever thought, “I know I want to work with people, but I don’t know what career to choose.” With this major, you’ll learn about the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development of humans across the lifespan (infant, adolescent, adult, older adult, and beyond). The key is to be open, have a willingness to listen, engage, and share.

A personal example: I grew up in a very traditional environment where everyone was Caucasian and Protestant. When I went to college, it was much more multicultural, and I struggled at first. I thought, “Where are these ideas coming from? This isn’t what I was taught.” But the more I could say to myself, “Let me listen to what’s being shared,” the more I could start drawing new conclusions and recognize what made sense.

What skills do students gain in the HDFS program?

Quite a few actually, including…

• analyzing how biology, cognition, family, and society impact individuals and families across all life stages shapes behavior;
• honing interpersonal stills, including enhancing listening, understanding group dynamics, learning how to motivate people, and how to resolve conflicts;
• learning to apply developmental theories and evidence-based practices to assess needs and design interventions for well-being;
• identifying and building on existing family and individual strengths to prevent problems before they occur;
• and understanding diverse family systems, for example, structure, rules, and interactions, and how this diversity affects human behavior and shapes community

HDFS jobs: Where are graduates now?

A lot of people ask me, “What can I do with this degree?” My usual response is, “Well, what won’t it do?”

A lot of people ask me, “What can I do with this degree?” My usual response is, “Well, what won’t it do?” HDFS will never limit your career options, no matter what field you want to go into.

For example, one HDFS graduate is now pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy. Another double-majored in HDFS and sport industry and now coaches rowing at University of Central Florida. One graduate works at a nonprofit in Cleveland helping a nursing home earn its skilled-care license, while two others became attorneys – one in Washington, D.C., and another in nonprofit law in Minneapolis.

To me, that’s the beauty of HDFS. It prepares you for almost any path. If your next step requires specific coursework, we can build that into your plan, but the degree itself is broad, flexible, and opens doors rather than closing them.

HDFS faculty: A broad range of expertise

We have faculty who research child development and infancy, others who focus heavily on adolescence, and I work in aging, along with another colleague. We also have an entire area dedicated to couples and family therapy, with several who work exclusively on the therapy side. While there’s overlap in our interests, we each come from different fields to better understand human development in the context of families.

I love working with them. I’m always surprised by how much I don’t know until I start reading their research proposals and publications. I consider that a real benefit – working with faculty who are so intelligent and constantly exploring new ideas.

Supporting students in the online HDFS program

There’s a strong emphasis in our department on encouraging interaction between students and faculty, hearing each other’s stories, and finding ways to support students so they can succeed at whatever level they define as success. 

Students today take courses online for a variety of reasons. One is flexibility. They have busy schedules, participate in athletics, have children, or, in some cases, are caring for a sick relative. I love this flexibility, but it can make it harder to connect with students.

Our faculty regularly brainstorms ways to help students feel seen and recognized as individuals. We want to know their stories. We ask students to tell us about themselves, their experiences, and what they need to be successful.

We reach out, whether through emails or even sending cards. I sometimes send cards to students to say happy birthday or just check in. There’s a strong emphasis in our department on encouraging interaction between students and faculty, hearing each other’s stories, and finding ways to support students so they can succeed at whatever level they define as success.

My definition of success may not be the same as a student’s, but I strive to understand their goals and help them achieve them.

How to maximize your HDFS experience

Even though you’re taking courses online, it’s important to get to know your instructors. Schedule one-on-one meetings or attend office hours, ask about their research, and learn what brought them to the field. These conversations can help you explore possibilities for your own career. 

HDFS can prepare you for almost anything, but talking with faculty often helps you narrow down what path is right for you. Some students discover interests they hadn’t considered. For example, one student realized they didn’t want to teach but loved the curriculum and faculty interaction, which led them to become an advisor. Connecting with instructors and asking questions can make your experience much richer and guide your future direction. 

What makes HDFS unique?

Personally, I think there’s nothing more helpful than understanding why people do the things they do. 

There are many excellent majors at Ohio State, but what makes HDFS unique is its interdisciplinary focus. It helps you understand individuals in context within families, society, and the broader culture. 

It helps you understand why we make the decisions we make. Personally, I think there’s nothing more helpful than understanding why people do the things they do. HDFS has helped me understand this in a way that allows me to communicate more effectively, bridge gaps, and move forward. I encourage anyone interested to take a look into the program.