Human Development & Family Studies

Completion of the major prepares the student for work in a variety of human service settings. These include: youth services organizations, parent education programs, allied health care settings, juvenile and adult corrections, family and community services, long-term care facilities, and church and military family life programs. Graduates are also well prepared to pursue an advanced degree in the behavioral and social sciences, marital and family therapy studies, human development or other professional programs, leading to teaching, counseling, research or administrative positions in social service, government, education or church settings. The Human Development and Family Studies graduate is also qualified to receive provisional certification in Family Life Education from the National Council on Family Relations.

Major Competencies

• Graduates will access community and national resources available to parents.
• Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and skills that will equip them to be effective family life educators.
• Graduates will display sensitivity to the feeling of others.
• Graduates will exhibit an understanding of family dynamics.
• Graduates will prioritize family process over family structures.
• Graduates will apply developmental theories as they analyze people throughout the life cycle.
• Graduates will be capable of presenting a family life education class.

Specified Core Courses: PSY 140/141, SOC 140.

41-43 credits: 15 credits in residence, 26 credits upper division. Required: