The Department of Human Development and Services

      Welcome to the Department of Human Development and Services (HDSV) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The objective of the Department of Human Development and Services is to prepare individuals for professional roles in Adult Education, Counseling, School Administration, and Leadership. Departmental studies include philosophical, theoretical, and methodological foundations for adult educational and counseling practices; practical examination of human development and learning through the life span, supervised experience in practice settings and prepares leaders for schools and other educational organizations in a diverse and technological society.

      Departmental graduates pursue professional careers within a diversity of human services settings, including schools, post-secondary and higher education, public and private counseling centers, rehabilitation agencies, community education and development, services administration, corrections, human resource development/training, health education and university extension programs.  School Administration graduates work in administrative positions at the school building level, and/or assume positions with local, state, and national organizations that focus on educational issues in professional development, curriculum, research or policy making.  Graduates of School Administration are eligible for licensure from the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction (SDPI) and may qualify the individual for administration certification in other states.

            Although many participants are enrolled in full-time graduate study, the Department welcomes practicing professionals who choose to pursue their studies on a part-time basis.  Course work in the Department is generally offered in the evenings to accommodate the professional development needs of practicing adult educators, counselors, and school administrators.

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Department of Human Development and Services is to provide a comprehensive learning environment that encourages the development of helping professionals to serve a changing, diverse, and complex global society. The department is committed to serving our surrounding communities and North Carolina in training future counselors, educators, and administrators with an emphasis on multiculturalism, assessment, and social justice through the lifespan. We strive to create a supportive instructional community with rich field experiences and meaningful professional partnerships that motivate our students to become highly competent scientist practitioners.