The Department of Human Development and Family Science at Messiah University seeks to enhance the well-being of families in diverse societies through:

• educating and advising students for graduate school and careers in family science
• engaging in national and international conversations on family-related issues
• conducting academic research
• developing and delivering effective family life education programs
• presenting ideas and solutions which reflect Christian faith and values
• pursuing lives of leadership, service (e.g. civic engagement), and reconciliation (e.g. ethical responsibility) locally, nationally, and globally