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MU Graduate Associations Honor HDFS Graduate and Postdoctoral Scholars
The Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) was well represented at this year’s Research and Creative Activities Forum and MU Graduate School’s 12th annual Graduate and Postdoctoral awards ceremony, with four HDFS scholars earning accolades. Jessica Marmolejos, an HDFS doctoral student, was awarded the John D. Bies International Discovery Fellowship to support her…
Mizzou HDFS National Award Winners at NCFR 2024
The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) is the premier organization for family science and the annual meeting was held in Bellevue, Washington in November. Several Mizzou HDFS representatives were honored with awards this year. So Young Park receives the Harold and Margaret Feldman Award for Best Conference Proposal by a New Professional. Dr. So Young Park,…
HDFS creates Love, Relationships & Family FIG for Fall 2025
Did you know, the University of Missouri’s Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program turns 30 this year? The FIG program allows groups of entering freshman to take a set of courses in a particular area of interest together during their first semester. HDFS is also thrilled to announce that for the first time in this 30-year…
Welcome to HDFS
Welcome to the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) at the University of Missouri. The University of Missouri is a comprehensive research-intensive university and the first public university established west of the Mississippi River. We are very proud of the long and storied traditions at Mizzou and our department is a strong entity within the university and the College of Education and Human Development.
Explore our site and learn more about the mission of HDFS.
HDFS in the Community
The Center for Family Policy and Research (CFPR) was established in 1997 to serve as a resource for the development of effective public policies relating to children, youth, and families. The center also maintains a focus on the integration of research, policy, and practice.
The MU Child Development Lab provides exemplary care and education for infants and young children. Several HDFS courses, and at least one course from Education, utilize the CDL as a teacher-training site.
Focus on Kids is a program for separating and divorcing parents that was developed by MU faculty. It is offered in more than 50 Missouri counties. Over 32,000 Missouri parents have attended FOK since 1996. An online version of Focus on Kids was launched in 2010.
HDFS Advancing Research
Improving Health and Well-Being Across the Lifespan
- Early Childhood & Child Development
- Youth Development & Emerging Adulthood
- Adult Development & Aging
Understanding Individual and Contextual Variations in Development and Relationships
- Race, Ethnicity, & Cultural Contexts and Influences
- Context of Sexuality and Gender in Development and Families
- Influence of Education, Socioeconomic Status, and Family Policies
Strengthening Relationships
- Intimate & Romantic Relationships
- Parent-Child & Sibling Relationships
- Youth, Families & Health
- Family Structure & Process