UTK Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science

08/21/2026

Our CACREP-accredited program in Counselor Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is hiring for two Assistant Professor positions! The Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science (CHDFS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applicants for a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Counselor Education with a start date of August 1, 2027. One position is focused on School Counseling, and the other is focused on specialization in a community-based setting (i.e., clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, college counseling, etc.).

You can learn more about the positions, requirements, and application materials using the links below. If you have questions, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jordan Westcott, at [email protected].

Learn more about our School Counseling position (due 9/25/26): https://apply.interfolio.com/190356
Learn more about our Clinical/Community Counseling position (due 10/2/26): https://apply.interfolio.com/190476

08/17/2026

🧡 Welcome Back Y'all! 🧡

It's finally here! Happy first day of class, Vols! 🥳🍊\

Wishing you the best semester ever!

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University of Tennessee, Knoxville UTK Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science UTK Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies UTK Retail, Hospitality & Tourism Management University of Tennessee Theory and Practice in Teacher Education

08/04/2026

Last, but certainly not least... Did you know that you can work in areas like Research and Communications with an HDFS degree? 😊

From conducting meaningful research that impacts families and communities to creating engaging content, managing public outreach, and sharing important information with diverse audiences, HDFS graduates bring valuable skills to the table. 📊📝💬
An HDFS degree equips you with strengths in critical thinking, relationship-building, communication, and understanding human development—all of which are highly sought after in research and communications roles.
The possibilities are endless, and your HDFS degree can take you further than you might imagine! ✨🎓

If you want to learn more or apply, please visit our website at https://cehhs.utk.edu/chdfs/ or reach out to us at [email protected] 😊

Since this post ends our summer series of "Did You Know," we hope that you got some insight into who we are and how we can help you achieve your goals. We're glad you're here, and we hope to keep seeing you around! 🧡

07/28/2026

Part three of what can I do with this (degree) 😊

In addition to the previously mentioned career areas, there is also opportunity to work in Community Social Services and International Education. These fields allow individuals to make a meaningful impact by supporting communities, promoting social well-being, and fostering cross-cultural learning and global connections. From Afterschool Programs to Welfare Assistance Programs, professionals in these fields help individuals and families access resources, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. Others may find rewarding careers in International Education, developing programs that connect people across cultures and create opportunities for learning, collaboration, and global engagement. These career paths are ideal for those who are passionate about service, advocacy, education, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Does one of these careers (or another not listed here) align with your passion for serving humans across the lifespan? We would love to answer any questions you have regarding our program! Please reach out to [email protected] for more information on how we can help you align your passion to your career. 🧡

07/21/2026

Part two of what can I do with this (degree) 😊

Of course HDFS can also work in Healthcare and Family Intervention Services. We can assist in public health programs, prenatal and maternity services, disability services, long-term care programs, case management, SV prevention, hospital services that include (but are not limited to) things like Child Life Specialists, and so much more!

Does one of these careers (or another not listed here) align with your passion for serving humans across the lifespan? We would love to answer any questions you have regarding our program! Please reach out to [email protected] for more information on how we can help you align your passion to your career. 🧡

07/14/2026

I think the most asked question of families and friends of college age students is "what are you going to do with that (degree)?" So lets discuss the opportunities within HDFS! 😊

Did you know you could still work in business and government with an HDFS degree? There are opportunities within Employee Assistance Programs, Child and Family Services, Military Family Support Services, Family Policy Analysis, Family Court, Divorce Mediation, Academic Advising... The list goes on and on!

Does one of these careers (or another not listed here) align with your passion for serving humans across the lifespan? We would love to answer any questions you have regarding our program! Please reach out to [email protected] for more information on how we can help you align your passion to your career. 🧡

07/07/2026

Building off of lasts weeks information... 🏢

The HDFS major at UTK doesn’t just let students shape their academic path—it ensures they live it through a hands‑on internship that connects their passions to real‑world practice. 🍊 Every student completes an internship at a local site aligned with their interests, whether that’s early intervention, non‑profit work, youth development, counseling, or community support.

By stepping into the field they want to grow in, students gain meaningful experience, build professional confidence, and graduate with a résumé that already reflects the future they’re aiming for. It’s not just a requirement—it’s a launchpad. 🧡

Learn more about the internship process and list of placement options here: https://cehhs.utk.edu/chdfs/current-undergraduate-students/

06/30/2026

Now lets dive into the HDFS side, shall we? 😊

The HDFS major at UT is all about you. With flexible pathways tailored to your passions—whether you’re drawn to youth development, early intervention, foster and adoption care, counseling, non‑profit leadership, family studies, or community impact—you build a degree that aligns with the future you want. By shaping your coursework around what matters most to you, you graduate with a powerful, personalized skill set that makes you stand out in the field you’re ready to lead.

Want to learn more? Check us out here: https://cehhs.utk.edu/chdfs/

You can also find our major requirements in the course catalog here: https://catalog.utk.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=34054&returnto=11445

06/23/2026

In an undergrad major focused on the human development, mental health, and/or community? HDFS? Psych? Social Work? Etc? Interested in working as a counselor in a clinical mental health or school setting? UTK offers two CACREP‑accredited Master of Science in Counseling pathways to get you there.

🌿 Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Prepares you for LPC licensure with strong clinical training and hands‑on experience.
📚 School Counseling — Leads to PreK–12 School Counselor licensure and focuses on comprehensive, developmental school counseling.

Both programs are face‑to‑face in Knoxville and emphasize cultural humility, advocacy, and community‑engaged practice.

Ready to make an impact as a counselor? This could be your path forward.

For more information, visit our website (https://cehhs.utk.edu/chdfs/) or request to register for one of our info sessions this summer by emailing [email protected] and requesting one of our last two session on July 6, 2026: 4-5pm or July 28, 2026: 6-7pm.

Hope to see y'all there! 😊🧡

06/16/2026

Let's talk about Counseling Grad programs today 🙂

Interested in working as a counselor in a clinical mental health or school setting? UTK offers two CACREP‑accredited Master of Science in Counseling pathways to get you there.

🌿 Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Prepares you for LPC licensure with strong clinical training and hands‑on experience.
📚 School Counseling — Leads to PreK–12 School Counselor licensure and focuses on comprehensive, developmental school counseling.

Both programs are face‑to‑face in Knoxville and emphasize cultural humility, advocacy, and community‑engaged practice.

Ready to make an impact as a counselor? This could be your path forward.

For more information, visit our website (https://cehhs.utk.edu/chdfs/) or request to register for one of our info sessions this summer by emailing [email protected] and requesting one of our last two session on July 6, 2026: 4-5pm or July 28, 2026: 6-7pm.

Hope to see y'all there! 😊🧡