Human Development & Family Studies, B.A.

The Human Development & Family Studies major focuses on human development from infancy through old age. Students will examine how family and community dynamics affect the development of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences. Through fieldwork, program evaluation, and service learning, students become prepared to work with children, youth, families, and elders in education or social service programs.

To learn more about the major, visit the Liberal Studies Department.

Required Courses

In order to graduate, you will also need to complete your General Education and university requirements .

Complete all of the following core courses:
HDEV 301 - Advanced Reading and Writing in HDFS Units: 3
HDEV 302 - Research Methods in HDFS Units: 3
HDEV 305S - Practicum and Professional Development Units: 2
HDEV 380S - Service Learning Human Dev Units: 2
HDEV 400A - Pre-Capstone Units: 1
HDEV 400B - Capstone Seminar Units: 3
PANM 422 - Program Development: Planning Units: 2
PANM 432 - Program Development: Evaluation Units: 2
Complete nine (9) units total from the Phase-specific coursework in List A and List B:
List A
HDEV 356 - Infancy and Early Childhood Units: 3
HDEV 358 - Middle Childhood Units: 3
List B
HDEV 365 - Adolescence Units: 3
HDEV 371 - Adulthood & Aging Units: 3
Complete a minimum of six (6) units from the following Development in Context coursework:
HDEV 341 - Family Violence: Identification, Prevention, and Intervention Units: 3
HDEV 342 - Human Development, Technology and the Media Units: 3
HDEV 344 - Death and Dying Units: 3
HDEV 353 - Cross-Cultural Human Development Units: 3
HDEV 355 - Behavioral and Emotional Disorders of Childhood and Adolesence Units: 3
HDEV 377 - Geriatrics & Gerontology Units: 3
Complete a minimum of six (6) units from the following Family Science coursework:
HDEV 310 - Parenting Across Lifespan Units: 3
HDEV 315 - Risk and Resiliency in Families Units: 3
HDEV 320 - Immigrant Families Across the Lifespan Units: 3
HDEV 321 - Diverse Families Units: 3
HDEV 340 - Close Relationships and Family Development Units: 3
Complete one of the following Interdisciplinary Health Science courses:
KIN 360 - Nutritional Science Units: 3
KIN 363 - Human Sexuality Units: 3

Learning Outcomes

Human Development and Family Studies Content Knowledge

Students explain, interpret, and compare theories, research methods, concepts, processes, and implications of family processes, and physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development across the lifespan.

Diversity in Human Development and Family Studies

Students apply HDFS Content Knowledge to interpret, compare, and analyze the diversity of lifespan development and family processes within real-life settings, and across local, national, and global contexts.

Human Development and Family Studies Integration and Application

Students integrate and apply HDFS Content and Diversity Knowledge to examine and evaluate solutions to real-world issues that impact the development of children, youth, adults, and families in their real-life everyday settings and contexts.

Human Development and Family Studies Professional Application

Students evaluate, critically analyze, and apply HDFS Content and Diversity Knowledge to develop effective and ethical professional skills and practices to serve and advocate for individuals and families in diverse, multicultural communities.