Andrea Yeric Alumni Profile

Alumna's Experience in Human Development and Family Studies Program Prepares Her for Graduate School

Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) alumna Andrea Yeric is preparing to graduate with her master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego this May. Andrea previously received her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University in May of 2017.

"The College of Human Sciences and the HDFS professors greatly prepared me for this degree – more than I could have imagined," Andrea said. "During the application process the faculty recognized Texas Tech's Human Development and Family Studies program!"

When Andrea began her master's studies she quickly realized she was one of the few in her program to have taken an intimate relationships class before beginning graduate school.

"Texas Tech's HDFS program not only exposed me to concepts that I have needed in my graduate level coursework, but a lot of the assignments used the same format that is used in graduate level work as well. As I entered graduate school, I realized that I was very prepared for papers and class discussions because of the structure and content of my HDFS classes."

Andrea's graduate degree requires her to take courses in couples and sex therapy, family development, psychopharmacology, and the treatment of severe mental illnesses among many other areas of study. To complete her education, Andrea began clinical work at San Diego Center for Children during her last year of the program.

"San Diego Center for Children is a non-profit organization that provides mental health services to children and families. The center also provides residential and school services"

Andrea works under a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, but handles her own caseload of clients who she provides therapy to each week.

"In therapy I use treatment modalities such as Play and Art therapy and trauma informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. As a therapist here, I work with children and their families with issues associated with trauma, divorce, adoption, and loss."

Andrea points to the most enjoyable part of her job as being able to improve the lives of families by educating and providing skills to help improve parent–child relationships. Andrea feels it is rewarding to be able to provide mental health services to underserved families who otherwise would not receive therapy.

"I chose HDFS as a major because I thought the diverse coursework would prepare me for a career as a therapist—and I was right!"

Even if a student is not preparing for a career in therapy or counseling, Andrea said that an HDFS degree from Texas Tech will prepare a student for the world and working with other people. Programs like the Human Development and Family Studies program offer valuable research experiences such as undergraduate research labs and community involvement experiences like College of Human Science Ambassadors and Tech Council on Family Relations.

"All of these opportunities were incredibly enriching to me and set me apart from other applicants to graduate school."

Andrea would recommend HDFS to any student considering a career working with people, but she would especially recommend the program to those interested in becoming a therapist or counselor. Andrea feels that every professor she encountered in the program is an amazing educator who contributed to her rich experiences as an undergraduate student. Many of Andrea's professors assisted her in applying to graduate school.

"They go above and beyond to make sure they are available to students if they have questions or need extra help. They were some of the most responsive teachers I have had in my academic career," Andrea said. "You can really tell that they love what they do, and that they care greatly for their students."