Human Development and Family Science
Human Development and Family Science Major
At the undergraduate level, the department offers a curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree through five options: adult development and aging; child and adolescent development; family science; child development/elementary education; and family science/social work. Human Development and Family Science majors are prepared to work in a variety of areas related to children, aging adults, and families. Employment opportunities include parent and family life educators, extension agents, child protection service professionals, financial counselors, nursing home activity directors, credit specialists, and directors of child care licensing.
Coursework provides students with an ecological approach to the study of human development and families with emphasis on the interactions of individuals, families, and the broader environmental context. Allowing students to select electives within the department to specialize in careers of interest provides flexibility.
Note: All credits in Human Development and Family Science must have grades of 'C' or better.
Adult Development and Aging Option
The Adult Development & Aging option prepares students for careers involving direct and support services for adults of various ages as well as graduate studies. A minor outside the department is required.
Child and Adolescent Development Option
This option prepares students for careers involving direct and support services for children and adolescents as well as graduate studies. A minor outside the department is required.
Family Science Option
This option allows students to take a concentration of courses in family science or family economics in preparation for careers in direct and support services for families as well as graduate studies. A minor outside the department is required.
Human Development and Family Science Minor
The Human Development and Family Science minor is especially appropriate for students majoring in the social or behavioral sciences and other students planning careers that involve work with people. The minor requires 18 credits, including HDFS 135 (Family Science), HDFS 230 (Lifespan Development), and 12 credits of HDFS electives. Of the 12 credits of electives, at least nine credits must be upper division (i.e., 300 or 400 level) and no more than three credits may be in field experience (HDFS 496).
Major Requirements
Major: Human Development & Family Science
Option: Adult Development & Aging Option
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| HD&E 189 | Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take HD&E 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing in the Health Professions | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Science & Technology (S): | ||
| CSCI 114 | Microcomputer Packages | 3-4 |
| or CSCI 116 | Business Use of Computers | |
| A one-credit lab must be taken as a co-requisite with a general education science/technology course unless the course includes an embedded lab experience equivalent to a one-credit course. Select from current general education list | 6-7 | |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): | ||
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D): | ||
| HDFS 475 | Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Major Requirements
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all HDFS prefix courses for graduation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| Human Development & Family Science Core Requirements | ||
| HDFS 110 | Introduction to Human Development and Family Science | 1 |
| HDFS 135 | Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| HDFS 250 | Introduction to Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 353 | Children, Families and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 475 | Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Field Experience * | ||
| Field Experience and Seminar (and Senior Thesis) * | ||
| HD&E 320 | Professional Issues | 1 |
| Adult Development & Aging Option Requirements | ||
| HDFS 360 | Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 481 | Gender and Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 482 | Family Dynamics of Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 Level | Major Electives (cannot include HDFS 496) | 9 |
| Minor Plan of Study | ||
| A minor plan of study is required outside of the HDFS department for all options. | ||
| Degree Requirements: Potential of 42 credits to reach 122 | 42 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
| * | In the semester prior to taking field experience credits, students are required to attend an informational meeting during advising week. Students should NOT take all field experience credits in one semester. |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required in major courses for graduation.
- Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirement other than total credits.
Major Requirements
Major: Human Development & Family Science
Option: Child & Adolescent Development Option
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| HD&E 189 | Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take HD&E 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing in the Health Professions | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Science & Technology (S): | ||
| CSCI 114 | Microcomputer Packages | 3-4 |
| or CSCI 116 | Business Use of Computers | |
| A one-credit lab must be taken as a co-requisite with a general education science/technology course unless the course includes an embedded lab experience equivalent to a one-credit course. Select from current general education list | 6-7 | |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): | ||
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D): | ||
| HDFS 475 | Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Major Requirements
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all HDFS courses for graduation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| Human Development & Family Science Core Requirements | ||
| HDFS 110 | Introduction to Human Development and Family Science | 1 |
| HDFS 135 | Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| HDFS 250 | Introduction to Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 353 | Children, Families and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 475 | Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Field Experience * | ||
| Field Experience and Seminar (and Senior Thesis) * | ||
| HD&E 320 | Professional Issues | 1 |
| Child & Adolescent Development Option Requirements | ||
| HDFS 320 | Prenatal, Infant and Toddler Development | 3 |
| HDFS 330 | Child Development | 3 |
| HDFS 340 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 level | Major electives (cannot include HDFS 496) | 9 |
| Minor Plan of Study | ||
| A minor plan of study is required outside of the HDFS department for all options. | ||
| Degree Requirements: Potential of 42 credits to reach 122 | 42 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
| * | In the semester prior to taking field experience credits, students are required to attend an informational meeting during advising week. Students should NOT take all field experience credits in one semester. |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required in major courses for graduation.
- Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirement other than total credits.
Major Requirements
Major: Human Development & Family Science
Option: Family Science Option
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| HD&E 189 | Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take HD&E 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing in the Health Professions | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Science & Technology (S): | ||
| CSCI 114 | Microcomputer Packages | 3-4 |
| or CSCI 116 | Business Use of Computers | |
| A one-credit lab must be taken as a co-requisite with a general education science/technology course unless the course includes an embedded lab experience equivalent to a one-credit course. Select from current general education list | 6-7 | |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): | ||
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| HDFS 242 is recommended but not required | ||
| Cultural Diversity (D): | ||
| HDFS 475 | Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Major Requirements
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all HDFS prefix courses for graduation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| Human Development & Family Science Core Requirements | ||
| HDFS 110 | Introduction to Human Development and Family Science | 1 |
| HDFS 135 | Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| HDFS 250 | Introduction to Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 353 | Children, Families and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 475 | Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| HD&E 320 | Professional Issues | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Field Experience * | ||
| Field Experience and Seminar (and Senior Thesis) * | ||
| Family Science Option Requirements | ||
| HDFS 242 | Couples, Marriages and Families | 3 |
| HDFS 357 | Personal and Family Finance | 3 |
| HDFS 462 | Methods of Family Life Education | 3 |
| HDFS Electives | Major Electives 300-400 level (cannot include HDFS 496) | 9 |
| Minor Plan of Study | ||
| A minor plan of study is required outside of the HDFS department for all options. | ||
| Degree Requirements: Potential of 42 credits to reach 122 | 42 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
| * | In the semester prior to taking field experience credits, students are required to attend an informational meeting during advising week. Students should NOT take all field experience credits in one semester. |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required in major courses for graduation.
- Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirement other than total credits.
Minor Requirements
Human Development & Family Science Minor
Minor Requirements
Required Credits: 18
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 135 | Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| Elective Courses * | ||
| HDFS | Elective | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 | Level Electives | 9 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| * | No more than 3 credits may be a field experience, practicum, or student teaching. |
Minor Requirements and Notes
- A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
Human Development and Family Science
Adult Development & Aging Option
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 110 | 3 | COMM 110 | 3 |
| ENGL 100 | 1 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
| HD&E 189 | 1 | HDFS 230 | 3 |
| HDFS 135 | 3 | Wellness Elective | 2-3 |
| HDFS 110 | 1 | Elective | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | 3 | ||
| Elective (Math 103) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14-15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CSCI 114 or 116 | 3-4 | HDFS 250 | 3 |
| SOC 110 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| ScienceTech Gen Ed w/lab | 4 | Science/Tech Gen Ed | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | STAT 330 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16-17 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 325, 358, or 459 | 3 | HD&E 320 | 1 |
| HDFS 475 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| HDFS 360 | 3 | HDFS 353 | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 | HDFS 482even spring | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | HDFS 300-400 level elec | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 496 | 3 | HDFS 496 | 2 |
| HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 | HDFS 481odd spring | 3 |
| Electives | 10 | Electives | 10 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 121-123 | |||
Human Development and Family Science
Child & Adolescent Development Option
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 110 | 3 | COMM 110 | 3 |
| ENGL 100 | 1 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
| HD&E 189 | 1 | HDFS 230 | 3 |
| HDFS 135 | 3 | Wellness Elective | 2-3 |
| HDFS 110 | 1 | Elective | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | 3 | ||
| Elective (Math 103) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14-15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CSCI 114 or 116 | 3 | HDFS 250 | 3 |
| HDFS 320 | 3 | HDFS 330 | 3 |
| SOC 110 | 3 | STAT 330 | 3 |
| Science/Tech Gen Ed w/lab | 4 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Science/Tech Gen Ed | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 325, 358, or 459 | 3 | HD&E 320 | 1 |
| HDFS 340 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| HDFS 475 | 3 | HDFS 353 | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 | HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Electives | 6 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 496 | 3 | Electives | 13 |
| HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 | HDFS 496 | 2 |
| Electives | 10 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 121-122 | |||
Human Development and Family Science
Family Science Option
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HD&E 189 | 1 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
| ENGL 110 | 3 | COMM 110 | 3 |
| ENGL 100 | 1 | HDFS 230 | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | 3 | Electives | 6 |
| HDFS 110 | 1 | ||
| HDFS 135 | 3 | ||
| Elective (Math 103) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CSCI 114 or 116 | 3-4 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| Science/Tech Gen Ed w/lab | 4 | Science/Tech Gen Ed | 3 |
| SOC 110 | 3 | STAT 330 | 3 |
| HDFS 242 | 3 | HDFS 250 | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 | HDFS 357 | 3 |
| 16-17 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 325, 358, or 459 | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| HDFS 475 | 3 | HD&E 320 | 1 |
| HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 | HDFS 462 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | HDFS 300-400 level elective | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 353 | 3 | HDFS 496 | 2 |
| HDFS 496 | 3 | Electives | 13 |
| Electives | 10 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 122-123 | |||
