Degrees

Human Development and Family Studies Bachelor of Science

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is an interdisciplinary department in the College of Applied Human Sciences. This online degree program focuses on the development of families and individuals across the life span.

Are you:

• An early childhood professional or thinking of a career in early childhood?
• Working with children and families and you want to know more about what to expect?
• Curious about the way human beings grow and develop?
• Wondering how environmental and social factors affect physical, cognitive, social and emotional development?
• Interested in learning more about specific stages of human development (infancy, childhood, adolescence)?
• In need of a bachelor's degree in early childhood, but unable to attend classes at a 4-year university?

If your answer to any of these questions is "yes" then a major in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) may be for you.

Program Requirements

Designed primarily for students who have completed at least 60 semester hours of transferable college credit with a GPA of 2.0 or better, this degree completion program also works particularly well for individuals who have completed an A.A. or A.S. degree at the community college level.

Prior transcripts are evaluated to determine academic status in relation to satisfying degree program requirements, which includes completion of both general education courses equivalent to Colorado State University core curriculum and all prerequisites for upper division, junior and senior level work. Prerequisite coursework may need to be completed prior to enrollment in HDFS upper division courses if those prerequisites have not already been taken.

A total of 42 upper division credits (300-400 level) are required to complete the program, with a minimum of 30 upper-division semester credits earned at Colorado State University. A total of 120 credits are required for graduation.

Program Curriculum

Through the course work and supervised field experience, students gain knowledge about typical and atypical development in various cultural contexts as well as skills in observation, program development and implementation, grant writing, and social policy information as these relate to diverse populations.

Prerequisites for this program are strictly enforced. Prerequisites must be completed or consent from the instructor must be given prior to registration.

Required Courses

Career Interest Electives

Additional Requirements and Program Duration

Additional elective credits, determined by the student, must be taken to meet Colorado State University credit requirements. At least 4 of these electives need to meet the student's career objectives. For those who have earned a director qualification to work in early childhood, these courses can be applied toward your degree as these career-oriented "electives."

Application and Admission

1. Contact the program coordinator for more information as well as eligibility and transfer evaluation. You can use the program check sheet to assist with this process.
2. You will be contacted to make an appointment to meet with an advisor, by phone or in-person, to discuss your initial plan of study and current placement in the program.
3. Apply for admission to the University. This program follows the general admission requirements and procedures.
4. Once admitted to the program, contact the HDFS Key Advisor to verify your first semester's courses.