Undergraduate Programs
Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)
The Human Development and Family Studies Program prepares students for a variety of careers in human services, early childhood education, and public service, or for advanced study in individual and family development. According to their interests, students select one of two concentrations in this major: child and adolescent development or family studies. Courses in child and adolescent development focus on children's physical, mental, and social development from birth through the teen years,with special attention to how child care, teaching, counseling and other professionals can use what they learn about the development process in practical settings. Similarly, courses in family studies focus on family structure and change, marital and parent-child interactions, and conflict and conflict management with an eye to helping family services professionals use research-based knowledge in practical settings. Both concentrations are founded on a basic philosophy that children and families develop and change within a social context that includes community and culture, and many HDFS courses are linked to practical experiences on campus and elsewhere in the community. Issues related to cultural diversity and gender are emphasized in most courses.
HDFS graduates typically find employment in child care services, family life education, human services, pediatric services in hospitals, or business activities related to children or families; many move on to graduate or professional school in such areas as social work, counseling, human development, marriage and family therapy, law, business, or medicine and allied health professions.
Follow the links below for more information about the HDFS program, including course requirements, sample 4-year registration plans, career information, and more.
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Courses required for graduation, with course names Curriculum checksheets Courses required for graduation, course numbers only Sample four-year plans A typical semester-by-semester plan for completing HDFS graduation requirements, including plans for incorporating a study abroad experience Catalog descriptions and other information about HDFS courses, plus a summary of HDFS course offerings, prerequisites, etc. Major HDFS concepts/issues/skills and how they're introduced in HDFS courses HDFS 450 Practicum information Description of HDFS 450 practicum opportunities and course policies for Spring 2010. |
What you can do with an HDFS degree HDFS Career Information flyers More information about how to prepare for different career and graduate/professional school paths Information and forms for applying for HCD-administered scholarships, plus links to ACES and other scholarship information Human Interest Professions Club The campus organization for HDFS and other students interested in human service and related careers Teaching and research interests of all our department faculty |