Human Development and Family Science

This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Major Requirements

Major: Human Development & Family Science

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  6. Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution. 
    1. Of these 60, at least 36 must be NDSU resident credits as defined in #7.
    2. Within the 36 resident credits, a minimum of 15 must be in courses numbered 300 or higher and 15 credits in the major field of study.
  7. At least 36 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

Communication (C)12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Quantitative Reasoning (R) 3
Science and Technology (S) 10
Humanities and Fine Arts (A) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) 6
Wellness (W) 2
Cultural Diversity (D) *†
Global Perspectives (G) *†
Total Credits39
  •  A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Major Requirements

Human Development & Family Science Core Requirements
CSCI 114Computer Applications (May satisfy general education category S)3
or TL 116 Business Software Applications
Select one of the following: (May satisfy general education category C)3
Business and Professional Writing
Writing in the Health Professions
Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal
HDFS 230Life Span Development (May satisfy general education category B)3
HDFS 242Couples, Marriages and Families (May satisfy general education category W)3
HDFS 250Introduction to Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences3
HDFS 275Diversity and Multiculturalism in Individual and Family Life (May satisfy general education category B and D)3
HDFS 353Children, Families and Public Policy3
HDFS 389Pre-Field Experience2
HDFS 390Career Development1
HDFS 496Field Experience 13
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology (May satisfy general education category B)3
SOC 110Introduction to Sociology (May satisfy general education category B)3
STAT 330Introductory Statistics (May satisfy general education category R)3
Option Selection: Select one option from the three listed below.21
Minor Plan of Study: A minor plan of study is required outside of the HDFS department for all options.
Total Credits57

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

Child and Adolescent Development Option

HDFS 320Prenatal, Infant and Toddler Development3
HDFS 330Child Development3
HDFS 340Adolescent Development3
Select one of the following:3
Observation and Assessment of Children
Best Practices, Play and Activities from Birth through Adolescence
HDFS 300-400 LevelMajor Electives (can include up to 3 credits of HDFS 496 or HDFS 491)9

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

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 major courses for graduation.
  • Courses taken Pass/Fail will not be used to satisfy any requirement other than total credits.

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 3.50 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