Human Development and Family Studies Major: Child Development Option (B.S.)
Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is an academic discipline focused on understanding the development of individuals and families over time and across the ecological contexts in which they live. The Child Development option within the major is applied and versatile, preparing students for in-demand careers focused on enhancing child and family well-being in settings that include childcare centers, hospitals, schools, and social service agencies. The Child Development curriculum offers students the opportunity to take courses on infant and child development, youth facing risk, teaching and learning, observation and assessment of children, learning through play, parent-child relationships, and more. Coursework emphasizes diverse experiences across gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, and family structure to prepare students for inclusive programming and practice.
As a major public research university, UNH emphasizes hands-on experience and research opportunities for undergraduate students. Students within the HDFS Child Development option are provided with opportunities to put theory and research into practice through practicum coursework at the Child Study and Development Center and through an optional senior year internship experience at one of the many community-based organizations that support children and families in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
The core curriculum required of each Human Development and Family Studies student is designed to give a broad introduction to individual and family development and interpersonal relationships across the lifespan. Building off this curriculum, each student can specialize in one of three options, Child Development, Early Child Education Teacher Licensure, or Family and Lifespan Development which guide further required coursework. Faculty advisors support students in selecting coursework to best prepare them for their specific career objectives. In their senior year, students complete a capstone course and may participate in a year-long community-based internship experience.
Candidates for the Human Development and Family Studies degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery and Writing Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of the major/option.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| HDFS 525 | Human Development | 4 |
| HDFS 545 | Intimate Relationships and Families | 4 |
| HDFS 555 | Research Methods in HDFS | 4 |
| Child Development Option Requirements | ||
| HDFS 623 | Infant and Child Development | 4 |
| HDFS 630 | Youth Facing Adversity | 4 |
| HDFS 635 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| HDFS 771 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children | 4 |
| Select three elective development in context courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Curriculum for Young Children | ||
| Families and the Law | ||
| Parenting Across the Life Span | ||
| Learning Through Play | ||
| Introduction to Child Life | ||
| Child Development Internship | ||
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Supporting courses are intended to provide an individualized component to the HDFS curriculum. Because HDFS is interdisciplinary, this allows students to explore related areas that contribute to their academic and professional goals. The 16-credit hour HDFS community internship will satisfy the supporting coursework requirement. For students not completing the internship, at least 4 of their supporting course credits must come from within HDFS. The remaining 12 credits of supporting coursework can include additional courses within HDFS or outside of HDFS as long as those taken outside of HDFS are: | 16 | |
1. At the 500-level or above | ||
2. Approved by an HDFS advisor | ||
Classes outside of HDFS meeting supporting course criteria are often found in the psychology, sociology, social work, women’s and gender studies, education, and communication sciences and disorders departments. | ||
| Capstone | ||
| HDFS 743 | Families, Schools, and Community | 4 |
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| HDFS 525 or HDFS 545 | Human Development 1 or Intimate Relationships and Families | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| CHHS First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 525 or HDFS 545 | Human Development 1 or Intimate Relationships and Families | 4 |
| HDFS 555 | Research Methods in HDFS | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Inquiry Course | 4 | |
| CHHS First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 623 | Infant and Child Development | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 635 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| CD Elective 2 | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 635 or HDFS 630 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings 1 or Youth Facing Adversity | 4 |
| HDFS 771 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children (or CD Elective) 1,2 | 4 |
| CD Elective 2 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 771 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children (or CD Elective) 1 | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 743 | Families, Schools, and Community (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) 1,3 | 4 |
| Major Supporting Course | 4 | |
| Major Supporting Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 743 | Families, Schools, and Community (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) 1,3 | 4 |
| Major Supporting Course 4 | 4 | |
| Major Supporting Course 4 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 130 | |
- 1
Students should enroll in each listed course only once.
- 2
CD electives refer to development and context courses.
- 3
Students should use these credit hours towards a dual/double major, minor, accelerated master's program (senior year if applicable), or as general elective coursework.
- 4
Students should consult their advisor to determine if a course outside of HDFS meets the supporting course requirements. The Community Internship satisfies supporting course requirements. Students who do not complete the internship must earn at least four supporting course credits within HDFS.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Use theoretical frameworks and empirical research to understand and explain child development, family process and the interaction of children and families with society.
- Recognize and respect a diversity of family forms and processes. Understand how child development and family interactions are shaped by diverse personal contexts and cultures. Understand and be aware of one’s own biases, beliefs, and values.
- Understand ethical decision-making processes, and ethical standards and principles relevant to our discipline. Positively represent the profession in academic, professional and community settings.