Human Development is an applied field that applies complex theories to multifaceted, real-world issues affecting children and families. Using a social justice lens, HDFS practitioners and scholars seek to understand and work with the contexts in which individuals find themselves embedded. Graduates will be committed to improving the health and well-being of diverse individuals and families across the lifespan through research, teaching, and professional practice.
A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) provides rich, broad-based training and can lead to a wide range of career paths including business, counseling, couple and family therapy, healthcare, human services, policy, and resource management. Many HDFS graduates go on to graduate school where they study diverse topics and disciplines.
The HDFS degrees are approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Upon graduation, students may apply for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator, and with the additional work experience, they can earn full certification.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Development and Family Studies
The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Human Development and Family Studies major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 345. This course is referenced in item 3. below.
The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
The following requirements for the major.
a. All of the following courses (46 credits):
HDFS 145 The Individual, Marriage, and the Family 3
HDFS 225 Lifespan Human Development in the Family 3
HDFS 270 Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies 4
HDFS 345 Principles of Family Studies (W) 3
HDFS 414 Parenting 3
HDFS 442 Ethnic Families in America 3
HDFS 444 Interpersonal Relationships in the Family 3
HDFS 445 Human Sexuality 3
HDFS 447 Management of Human Service Programs 3
HDFS 448 Child and Family Policy 3
HDFS 454 Family Financial Management 3
HDFS 472 Evaluation of Human Service Programs 3
HDFS 481 Research and Quantitative Methods in HDFS 3
HDFS 493 Internship 6
Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies
The University requirements for the bachelor’s degree as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Human Development and Family Studies major is met by completing Human Development and Family Studies 345. This course is referenced in item 3. below.
The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
The following requirements for the major:
a. All of the following courses (46 credits):
HDFS 145 The Individual, Couples and Families 3
HDFS 225 Lifespan Human Development in the Family 3
HDFS 270 Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies 4
HDFS 345 Principles of Family Studies 3
HDFS 414 Parenting 3
HDFS 442 Ethnic Families in America 3
HDFS 444 Interpersonal Relationships in the Family 3
HDFS 445 Human Sexuality 3
HDFS 447 Management of Human Service Programs 3
HDFS 448 Child and Family Policy 3
HDFS 454 Family Resource Management 3
HDFS 472 Evaluation of Human Service Programs 3
HDFS 481 Research and Quantitative Methods in Human Development and Family Studies 3
HDFS 493 Internship 6
Complete 12 credits in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses from the following list of courses: Fulfillment of this requirement also meets the College of Social Science STEM Graduation Requirement for Bachelor of Science Degree. Courses used to fulfill the STEM requirement may not be used to satisfy any other requirement.
ANP 206 Introduction to Physical Anthropology 3
ANTR 350 Human Gross Anatomy for Pre-Health Professionals 3
BMB 200 Introduction to Biochemistry 4
BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
CEM 141 General Chemistry 4
CEM 143 Survey of Organic Chemistry 3
CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
CSUS 200 Introduction to Sustainability 3
ENT 205 Pests, Society and Environment 3
EPI 390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
GEO 203 Introduction to Meteorology 3
GEO 206 Physical Geography 3
HNF 150 Introduction to Human Nutrition 3
LB 270 Medical Terminology 2
MMG 201 Fundamentals of Microbiology 3
MMG 301 Introductory Microbiology 3
MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3
MTH 132 Calculus I 3
NUR 300 Pathophysiology 4
PHM 350 Introduction to Human Pharmacology 3
PSL 250 Introductory Physiology 4
PSL 310 Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals 4
STT 200 Statistical Methods 3
Fields:
Business
Counseling
Couple and Family Therapy
Healthcare
Human Services
Policy
Resource Management
Graduate school
Example careers:
Social worker
Policy aide
Medical receptionist