Human Development & Family Studies, BS
for the Bachelor of Science Major in Human Development & Family Studies
The Human Development and Family Studies program prepares students for graduate/professional education or employment in areas such as pediatric services in hospitals, medicine and allied health fields, marriage and family therapy, family law, human resources, child care services, family life education, social work, counseling, human services, and business activities related to children and families. Students select course work according to their interests in human development, such as infancy, early childhood or adolescence, and relationship and family science, such as intimate relationships, parent-child interaction, and family stress and change. Basic courses in these areas are linked to practical experiences in educational and community settings, and most courses emphasize issues related to cultural diversity and gender. Students develop an individualized plan within this major according to their career and professional interests.
for the Bachelor of Science Major in Human Development & Family Studies
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
fulfilled by HDFS 290 | ||
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
fulfilled by HDFS 120 | ||
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
fulfilled by STAT 100 and any other course approved as Quantitative Reasoning I or II | ||
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Human Development and Family Studies Required | ||
| HDFS 101 | Opportunities, Careers in HDFS | 1 |
| HDFS 105 | Intro to Human Development | 3 |
| HDFS 120 | Intro to Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 290 | Intro to Research Methods | 4 |
| ACE 240 | Personal Financial Planning | 3 |
| CMN 101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or CMN 111 & CMN 112 | Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | |
| PSYC 100 | Intro Psych | 4 |
| SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 4 |
| STAT 100 | Statistics | 3 |
| Select one of the following health courses: | 3 | |
| Contemporary Nutrition | ||
| Contemporary Health | ||
| Substance Use and Family Health | ||
| Select one of the following child/adolescent development courses: | 3-4 | |
| Infancy & Early Childhood | ||
| Middle Childhood | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Select one of the following relationships/family courses: | 3-4 | |
| Self in Context | ||
| Close Relationships | ||
| Family Stress and Change | ||
| Select two of the following diversity courses: | 6 | |
| Child and Family Inclusion: Disability, Health, and Diversity | ||
| Families in Global Perspective | ||
| Asian Families in America | ||
| US Latina and Latino Families | ||
| Gender, Relationshps & Society | ||
| HDFS Study Abroad Experience | ||
| Inequality, Public Policy, and U.S. Families | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Families | ||
| LGBT Indiv, Fam & Community | ||
| Select one of the following applied courses: | 3-4 | |
| Research Internship | ||
| Independent Study or Research | ||
| Early Childhood Learning and Play | ||
| Honors Research or Thesis | ||
| Practicum in HDFS | ||
| TAP Internship | ||
| Applied Research Methods | ||
| Foundations of Leadership | ||
| Individualized Plan | 16-18 | |
| Choose from a list of HDFS courses based on individual career goals and in consultation with the HDFS Academic Advisor. At least 15 hours at 300 level or above. Courses taken to meet other HDFS requirements can not count toward the Individualized Plan. | ||
| Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan | ||
| Self in Context | ||
| Child and Family Inclusion: Disability, Health, and Diversity | ||
| Families in Global Perspective | ||
| Close Relationships | ||
| Infancy & Early Childhood | ||
| Middle Childhood | ||
| Adult Development | ||
| Families and the Law | ||
| US Latina and Latino Families | ||
| Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life | ||
| Gender, Relationshps & Society | ||
| Early Childhood Learning and Play | ||
| Socialization and Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Hospitalized Children | ||
| Inequality, Public Policy, and U.S. Families | ||
| Family Stress and Change | ||
| Family Conflict Management | ||
| LGBT Indiv, Fam & Community | ||
| Substance Use and Family Health | ||
| Total Hours | 126 | |
for the Bachelor of Science Major in Human Development & Family Studies
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| HDFS 101 | 1 | HDFS Diversity course | 3 |
| HDFS 105 | 3 | General Education | 3 |
| HDFS 120 | 3 | CMN 101 (or Composition 1 or CMN 112) | 3 |
| Composition I (or CMN 101 or CMN 111) | 4 | STAT 100 | 3 |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | General Education | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PSYC 100 | 4 | SOC 100 | 4 |
| HDFS Relationships/Family Course | 3 | HDFS 290 | 4 |
| HDFS Diversity course | 3 | HDFS Child/Adolescent Development course | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective Course | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ACE 240 | 3 | HDFS Individualized Plan course | 3 |
| HDFS Applied course | 4 | HDFS Individualized Plan course | 3 |
| HDFS Individualized Plan course | 3 | HDFS Individualized Plan course | 3 |
| HDFS Health course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 1 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| HDFS Individualized Plan course | 3 | HDFS Individualized Plan course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 126 | |||
for the Bachelor of Science Major in Human Development & Family Studies
- HDFS students will demonstrate a strong foundation in theories and empirical knowledge associated with human development and family studies (i.e., developmental periods and domains; socialization contexts; diversity among families and children; research methods; family dynamics, transitions, and resilience; and family policy)
- Recall key terminology (theoretical, empirical, methodological, substantive concepts)
- Describe current and historical challenges affecting individuals and families (e.g., social, political, economic, cultural, ethical, including research ethics)
- Summarize key theories, models, and principles (e.g., grand, disciplinary, substantive, methodological)
- Apply theories, models, and principles to developmental, relationship, familial, and social issues
- Apply knowledge to global contexts
- Integrate knowledge across courses and content areas (i.e., human development and family studies; lower level to higher level courses)
- Critique current theoretical and empirical knowledge of and methodological approaches to studying human development, relationships, and families
- HDFS students will exhibit the skills necessary to effectively apply knowledge and generate new ideas to solve real world issues
- Use effective written communication
- Use appropriate grammar and writing mechanics
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of APA style
- Respond to constructive criticism (e.g., revision process, peer review)
- Produce written work that is organized, logical, and fully developed
- Use effective oral communication (e.g., clearly and logically present ideas aloud through presentation to class or group)
- Apply knowledge to formulate and investigate hypotheses or research questions
- Apply knowledge to propose or create research-based programs or policies
- Critically evaluate the quality of published research, programs, and policies and their implications for individuals, relationships, and families
- Collaborate to achieve group goals
- Apply research-based knowledge to working with children, families, and communities and/or agencies that serve them
- Use effective written communication
- HDFS students will demonstrate a critical and reflexive orientation toward and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion
- Describe the historical and current relevance of diversity and inclusion to individuals, relationships, families, and communities
- Reflect on one’s own interconnected positions, privileges, and disadvantages across multiple contexts
- Critically examine one’s own beliefs, assumptions, values, attitudes, and biases
- Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion in one’s own work (e.g., written and oral communication)
- Critically evaluate the cultural respectfulness and appropriateness of research, programs, and policies related to human development and families
- Critically evaluate the potential impact of research, programs, and policies on diversity and inclusion
- Demonstrate awareness of global factors (e.g., economic, political, cultural, social) and how they may affect individuals, families and communities
- HDFS students will develop professional competence skills and establish well-informed career and professional goals
- Identify and compare/contrast a range of career options for HDFS majors
- Create professional/job-related materials (e.g., resume, cover letter, purpose statement)
- Connect discipline knowledge to personal and professional life
- Develop leadership skills (e.g., through formal positions; informal mentoring to prospective/new students; representing the department; participation in class teamwork)
- Develop professional connections to support career and professional goals (e.g., relationships with professors, internship supervisors who can serve as references; connections to professionals through attending conferences/workshops or engaging with guest speakers in class)
- Make decisions and solve problems
- Independently
- Collaboratively
- Exhibit professional and ethical behavior
for the Bachelor of Science Major in Human Development & Family Studies
Human Development & Family Studies
Human Development & Family Studies website
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(217) 333-3790
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