The mission of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies is to:
1) Provide the best opportunity in North Carolina for undergraduate students to prepare for occupational careers in the following areas: dependent care services, teaching at the preschool, kindergarten, and primary grade levels in the public schools, teaching Human Environmental Sciences at the secondary level, family economic services, business, industry, and government agencies, including the Agricultural Extension Service.
2) Provide a strong academic base for those undergraduate students who intend to pursue advanced study in child and family sciences and related fields.
3) Achieve regional recognition for Master of Education and Master of Science(non-thesis) programs that provide students with career advancement opportunities as administrators, consultants, and practitioners in the fields of child-care education and services, family and parent education, family economic services, the Agricultural Extension Service, and secondary Home Economics.
4) Achieve national recognition for the Master of Science (thesis) program which prepares students for community and junior college teaching professions, research positions, and for advanced graduate study at the doctoral level.
5) Enhance our national recognition for the Doctor of Philosophy degree program which prepares students for academic and administrative positions in colleges and universities, and for government and private sector positions calling for knowledge and expertise in public and economic policy, theory, research methods, and administration.
6) Enhance our national reputation for faculty research and scholarship which contributes significantly to existing knowledge in human development, family sciences, and related areas such as educational methods and programs.
7) Achieve national recognition for the development of innovative, research-based intervention and service programs which improve the quality of life for individuals and families.