What is Human Development and Family Studies?

Human Development and Family Studies prepares students to understand early child development, adolescent changes, family relationships, and cultural influences as foundational to creating impactful prevention and intervention practices.

Students are taught and mentored by faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized experts.

Graduates are prepared to work in organizations serving children, adolescents, adults, and families through advocacy, strategic interventions, education practices, policy reform, and research. They graduate with leadership and research skills to improve the quality of life particularly for those managing significant challenges.

Faculty and their students study the impact of parent-infant relationships, race issues, identity development and renegotiation, aging, developmental disparities, gun violence, refugee welfare, leadership in early childhood, and family dynamics across the lifespan.

learn about our programs

Bachelor of Science (B.s.)

Two degrees:

Human Development and Family Studies, B.S.

and

Early Childhood Development
and Education, B.S.

With two concentrations:

Birth Through Kindergarten Teacher Licensure Concentration

Early Care and Education Concentration

Master of Science (m.S.)

The Master of Science thesis program in Human Development and Family Studies prepares graduates for research positions and for advanced research study at the doctoral level.

Human Development and Family Studies, M.S.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Students pursuing a Master of Education can choose from two concentrations:

Leadership and Advanced Teaching Licensure

Early Childhood Leadership and Program Administration

Doctor of philosophy (ph.D.)

Human Development and Family Studies, Ph.D.

Post-baccalaureate Certificate (P.B.C.)

Two post-baccalaureate certificate programs are available:

Birth-Kindergarten Initial Licensure, P.B.C.

Leadership in Infant and Toddler Learning, P.B.C.

Minors

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers an undergraduate minor as well as a doctoral minor.

Undergraduate Minor

Doctoral Minor