Human Development & Family Science, B.S.

The Human Development & Family Science 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 Human Development and Family Science Department.

Required Courses

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

Complete one of the following courses:
HDFS 200 - Introduction to Child Development Units: 3
HDFS 350 - Lifespan Development: Transition and Change Units: 3
HDFS 360 - Child Development Units: 3
Complete all of the following core courses:
HDFS 301 - Advanced Reading and Writing in HDFS Units: 3
HDFS 302 - Research Methods in HDFS Units: 3
HDFS 305S - Practicum and Professional Development Units: 2
HDFS 380S - Service Learning Human Dev Units: 2
HDFS 400A - Pre-Capstone Units: 1
HDFS 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
HDFS 356 - Infancy and Early Childhood Units: 3
HDFS 358 - Middle Childhood Units: 3
List B
HDFS 365 - Adolescence Units: 3
HDFS 371 - Adulthood & Aging Units: 3
Complete a minimum of six (6) units from the following Development in Context coursework:
HDFS 341 - Family Violence: Identification, Prevention, and Intervention Units: 3
HDFS 342 - Human Development, Technology and the Media Units: 3
HDFS 344 - Death and Dying Units: 3
HDFS 353 - Cross-Cultural Human Development Units: 3
HDFS 355 - Behavioral and Emotional Disorders of Childhood and Adolesence Units: 3
HDFS 377 - Geriatrics & Gerontology Units: 3
Complete a minimum of six (6) units from the following Family Science coursework:
HDFS 310 - Parenting Across the Lifespan Units: 3
HDFS 315 - Risk and Resiliency in Families Units: 3
HDFS 320 - Immigrant Families Across the Lifespan Units: 3
HDFS 321 - Diverse Families Units: 3
HDFS 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 Science Content Knowledge

Students assess theories, research methods, and concepts of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development and of family processess across the lifespan.

Diversity in Human Development and Family Science

Students analyze the diversity of lifespan development and family processes within real-life settings, and across local, national, and global contexts.

Human Development and Family Science Integration and Application

Students evaluate and develop solutions to real-world issues that affect children, youth, adults, and families.

Human Development and Family Science Professional Application

Students evaluate and develop effective and ethical professional HDFS skills and ethical and reflective practices to serve and advocate for individuals and families in diverse, multicultural communities.