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
- Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
- Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework. Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
- Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
- A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
- At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
- Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution.
- Of these 60, at least 36 must be NDSU resident credits as defined in #7.
- 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.
- 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category. |
| † | General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories. |
- A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Human Development & Family Science Core Requirements | ||
| CSCI 114 | Computer 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 230 | Life Span Development (May satisfy general education category B) | 3 |
| HDFS 242 | Couples, Marriages and Families (May satisfy general education category W) | 3 |
| HDFS 250 | Introduction to Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences | 3 |
| HDFS 275 | Diversity and Multiculturalism in Individual and Family Life (May satisfy general education category B and D) | 3 |
| HDFS 353 | Children, Families and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 389 | Pre-Field Experience | 2 |
| HDFS 390 | Career Development | 1 |
| HDFS 496 | Field Experience 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology (May satisfy general education category B) | 3 |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology (May satisfy general education category B) | 3 |
| STAT 330 | Introductory 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 Credits | 57 | |
Adult Development and Aging Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 357 | Personal and Family Finance | 3 |
| HDFS 360 | Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 480 | Community Resources of Later Life | 3 |
| HDFS 482 | Family Dynamics of Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 Level | Major Electives (can include up to 3 credits of HDFS 496 or HDFS 491) | 9 |
Child and Adolescent Development Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 320 | Prenatal, Infant and Toddler Development | 3 |
| HDFS 330 | Child Development | 3 |
| HDFS 340 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Observation and Assessment of Children | ||
| Best Practices, Play and Activities from Birth through Adolescence | ||
| HDFS 300-400 Level | Major Electives (can include up to 3 credits of HDFS 496 or HDFS 491) | 9 |
Family Science Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 341 | Parent-Child Relations | 3 |
| HDFS 357 | Personal and Family Finance | 3 |
| HDFS 448 | Issues In Sexuality | 3 |
| HDFS 462 | Methods of Family Life Education | 3 |
| HDFS 300-400 Level | Major Electives (can include up to 3 credits of HDFS 496 or HDFS 491) | 9 |
| 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 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
Minor Requirements
Minor: Human Development & Family Science
Required Credits: 18
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| HDFS 242 | Couples, Marriages and Families | 3 |
| Elective Courses 1, 2 | ||
| HDFS | Any Level Elective | 12 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| 1 | No more than 3 credits may be a field experience, practicum, or student teaching. |
| 2 | Note that HDFS 250 or an approved equivalent in another department is a required co-requisite or pre-requisite for all 300-400 level HDFS courses. HDFS 250 may be counted as an HDFS elective course for the minor. |
Minor Requirements and Notes
- A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.