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- Major in Human Development and Family Studies
- Associate Degree in Human Development and Family Studies
- Minor in Human Development and Family Studies
- Honors Study in Human Development and Family Studies
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Cross Cutting Themes of Research
- Adolescence and Young Adulthood
- Child Maltreatment
- Cognitive Health
- Computational Methods for Developmental Systems Models
- Determinants and Promotion of Well-Being
- Development and Family Processes in International Contexts
- Developmental Neuroscience
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- Gender and Development
- Health and Family Processes
- Healthy Aging
- Influences of Stress on Development and Aging
- Longitudinal Methodologies/Designs for Studying Change and Variability
- Parenting, Parent-Child Relations, and Child Outcomes
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Minor in Human Development and Family Studies

Relevant to a diverse array of careers, a multidisciplinary minor in Human Development and Family Studies highlights the key aspects of individual and family development and change over time.
In fact, a wide range of health professionals — including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, nurses, or physicians — educators, and business professionals may all refine their practices based on understanding normal patterns of individual and family development. In addition, an HDFS minor complements many related social sciences majors. For example, it can help psychology students appreciate the ecological contexts of development and sociology students better understand interpersonal processes.
Requirements
You are required to take 18 credits of HDFS courses — and achieve a grade of C or better in each — in order to complete an HDFS minor. Beginning with the introductory course HDFS 129, you may then select 9 credits of HDFS courses from any level, and 6 credits of HDFS courses from the 400 level. More information about coursework for this minor can be found on the courses page.
Getting Started
Students with 5th semester standing may apply for the HDFS minor, which can be completed at any campus location that offers courses specified in the minor (for details, see the Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin). At University Park, interested students may contact adviser Sarah Krupp to explore how the HDFS minor works.