HDFS Courses and Curriculum

Core Requirements

All students majoring in HDFS complete a core set of required courses that cover applied developmental science, ethics, interventions, data and research methods, and families.

• HDFS 129: Introduction to Human Development & Family Studies (three credits)
• Developmental foundations (six credits) – Students choose two courses from:
  • HDFS 229: Infant & Child Development,
  • HDFS 239: Adolescent Development, or
  • HDFS 249N: Adult Development & Aging
• Family foundations (six credits) – Students take the following:
  • HDFS 315: Family Development
  • HDFS 418: Family Relationships
• Diversity and development (three credits) – Select one class with the US Cultures designation. Consider popular HDFS courses, including:
  • HDFS 250: Sexual Identity over the Lifespan
  • HDFS 254n: Reading our Lives: Understanding Diversity & Development Through Memoirs
• Skills and ethics for HDFS majors (12-13 credits) – Students take the following:
  • Ethics – HDFS 301: Values & Ethics in Human Development Professions
  • Interventions – HDFS 311: Human Development & Family Studies Interventions
  • Statistics – Choose from STAT 200, EDPSY 101, or HDFS 200
  • Research Methods – HDFS 312w

HDFS Major Options

Beyond the core requirements taken by all students majoring in HDFS, students select an “option” and complete the additional corresponding requirements.

Option 1: Life Span Human Services

The Life Span Human Services (LSHS) option prepares students for a range of human service careers and/or graduate study in fields including counseling, social work, policy and advocacy, and program administration. Students choosing the LSHS option select additional coursework specialized around their personal and professional interests, plus a semester-long capstone experience that builds hands-on experience and advanced knowledge aligned with students' career goals.

Most HDFS students are in the Life Span Human Services option of the major.

In addition to the HDFS core requirements, students who have selected the LSHS option complete the following:

Option 2: Life Span Developmental Sciences

Students who pursue the Life Span Developmental Science (LSDS) option focus on the theory and research process upon which the HDFS field is grounded. Students in this option typically work in a research lab during their junior year before completing a required capstone research project under the supervision of an HDFS faculty member. The LSDS option is excellent preparation for entry into graduate programs focused on research. It can also be helpful for students interested in graduate school for health careers, who may benefit from the flexibility in supporting courses and the research experience.

Most HDFS majors who are also in the Schreyer Honors College are in the LSDS option of the major.

In addition to the HDFS core requirements, students who have selected the LSHS option complete the following:

Learn More About the Major

The HDFS major provides excellent preparation for work in a wide range of early childhood, youth, family, and aging fields, with our students taking roles at graduation in case management, direct support, program administration, and advocacy roles. Our students also continue on for graduate study or professional preparation in social work, counseling, public policy, law, some health fields, and research.

• Explore careers that HDFS graduates pursue.
• View the HDFS degree requirements and course descriptions.
• Discover supports and opportunities for HDFS students.