Human Development and Family Science Major

Major Requirements

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Credits Required: 120

University Degree Requirements

For complete details on these and other university degree requirements, refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section in the University Catalog.

  1. Minimum of 120 semester credits (some programs may exceed this minimum).
  2. Complete the University General Education requirements.
  3. Minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  4. Minimum of 30 credits in resident at NDSU.
  5. Minimum of 36 upper level credits (courses numbered 300 or higher).
  6. Students with transfer credit must meet the NDSU 30 credits in residence (#4). Of these 30 credits in residence, a minimum of 15 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 credits must be in the student's declared major curricula.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses along with the administrative policies governing the requirement and the categories is available here.

Category C: Communication12
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning3
Category S: Science and Technology10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences6
Category W: Wellness2
Category D: Cultural Diversity
Category G: Global Perspectives
Category L: Digital Literacy
Total Credits39

Major Requirements

Human Development & Family Science Core Requirements
HDFS 230Life Span Development3
HDFS 242Couples, Marriages and Families3
HDFS 250Introduction to Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences3
HDFS 275Diversity and Multiculturalism in Individual and Family Life3
HDFS 353Children, Families and Public Policy3
HDFS 389Pre-Field Experience2
HDFS 390Career Development1
HDFS 496Field Experience 13
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
SOC 110Introduction to Sociology3
Select one of the following: 3
ENGL 320
Business and Professional Writing
ENGL 325
Writing in the Health Professions
ENGL 358
Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences
ENGL 459
Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal
Option Selection
Select one option from the three listed below: Adult Development & Aging; Child & Adolescent Development; Family Science21
Minor Plan of Study
A minor plan of study is required outside of the HDFS department for all options.16
Total Credits67

Adult Development and Aging Option

HDFS 357Personal and Family Finance3
HDFS 360Adult Development and Aging3
HDFS 480Community Resources of Later Life3
HDFS 482Family Dynamics of Aging3
HDFS 300-400 LevelMajor Electives (can include up to 3 credits of HDFS 496 or HDFS 491)9
Total Credits21

Child and Adolescent Development Option

HDFS 320Prenatal, Infant and Toddler Development3
HDFS 330Child Development3
HDFS 340Adolescent Development3
HDFS 483Best Practices, Play and Activities from Birth through Adolescence3
HDFS 300-400 LevelMajor Electives (can include up to 3 credits of HDFS 496 or HDFS 491)9
Total Credits21

Family Science Option

HDFS 341Parent-Child Relations3
HDFS 357Personal and Family Finance3
HDFS 448Issues In Sexuality3
HDFS 462Methods of Family Life Education3
HDFS 300-400 LevelMajor Electives (can include up to 3 credits of HDFS 496 or HDFS 491)9
Total Credits21
1

In the semester prior to taking field experience credits, students are required to take HDFS 389 Pre-Field Experience. Note: HDFS 491 Senior Thesis may be completed as elective.

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • A grade of C or better is required for all HDFS courses, regardless of whether they are used for the major core, major electives, general education, or free electives.
  • A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required in the HDFS prefix major courses and the HDFS courses required for the 21 credit option.
  • Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirement other than total credits.
  • STAT 330 is recommended to fulfill the Quantitative Reasoning General Education requirement, particularly for students intending to apply to graduate school.

Accelerated Program in HDFS

  • A combined/accelerated program will allow high-achieving students to complete both a bachelor's and master's degree in HDFS in five years.
  • Only students with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and who have completed at least 60 credits are eligible to apply.  Interested students should speak with an HDFS advisor about how to proceed.
  • 15 credits at the master's level may be used to meet the requirements for a bachelor's degree.
  • The programs will map as follows:
    • BS-HDFS program with an option in Adult Development and Aging may enter the master's option Gerontology.
    • BS-HDFS program with an option in Child and Adolescent Development may enter the master's option in Youth Development.
    • BS-HDFS program with an option in Family Science may enter the master's option in Family Financial Planning