Course List - Associate in Science in Human Development and Family Studies
Requirements for the Major (51–55 credits*)
Choose your option:
| Adult Development and Aging Services Option (21 credits — includes 15 credits chosen in consultation with an adviser*) | ||
| HD FS 249 (GS) | Adult Development and Aging Physiological, psychological, and social development and intervention from young adulthood through old age. |
3 credits |
| HD FS 311 | Human Development and Family Studies Interventions Survey of individual and family formal and informal intervention efforts; historical and current perspectives and approaches. Prerequisite: HD FS 129 |
3 credits |
| Children, Youth, and Family Services Option (24 credits — includes 15 credits chosen in consultation with an adviser*) | ||
| HD FS 229 (GS) | Infant and Child Development Theory, research, and methods of social/behavioral/biological sciences related to developmental processes and intervention during infancy and childhood. |
3 credits |
| HD FS 239 (GS) | Adolescent Development Social, behavioral, and biological development and intervention throughout adolescence. |
3 credits |
| HD FS 311 | Human Development and Family Studies Interventions Survey of individual and family formal and informal intervention efforts; historical and current perspectives and approaches. Prerequisite: HD FS 129 |
3 credits |
* Students are encouraged to contact their adviser prior to selecting their courses from the HDFS supporting course list.
For both options:
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CAS 100B (GWS) | Effective Speech Introduction to speech communication: formal speaking, group discussion, analysis and evaluation of messages. |
3 credits |
| ENGL 015 (GWS) | Rhetoric and Composition Instruction and practice in writing expository prose that shows sensitivity to audience and purpose. Prerequisite: ENGL 004 or satisfactory performance on the English proficiency examination |
3 credits |
| HD FS 129 (GS) | Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies Introduction to psychosocial and family development at all stages of the individual and family life cycle. |
3 credits |
| HD FS 301 | Values and Ethics in Health and Human Development Professions Examines bases for choices among values in personal and professional relations in human development processes and supporting services. |
3 credits |
| HD FS 395 | Field Project: Independent Study in a Human Services Program Independent study and research in a human services program; written and oral summary of rationale, procedures, and findings. (Students should speak with the course instructor before enrolling to determine appropriateness of the human services program and number of credits to be taken.) |
6 credits |
| PSYCH 100 (GS) | Psychology Introduction to general psychology; principles of human behavior and their applications. |
3 credits |
| Additional Courses for Both Options (9-10 credits) | ||
|
BI SC 004 (GN)
or BIOL 155 (GN) or BIOL 141 (GN) |
Human Body: Form and Function A general survey of structure and function--from conception, through growth and reproduction, to death. Students who have passed BIOL 129 and 141 may not schedule this course. Introduction to the Biology of Aging Examination of human aging from a biological perspective. Population demographics, physiological and pathological changes, and healthy lifestyles are discussed. Students who have passed BIOL 409 may not schedule this course. Introductory Physiology Explanation of the normal structure and function of the animal body, with special emphasis on human body systems. Students who have passed BIOL 472 may not schedule this course. |
3 credits |
| EDPSY 101 (GQ) or STAT 100 (GQ) or STAT 200 (GQ) |
Analysis and Interpretation of Statistical Data in Education An introduction to quantitative methods in educational research emphasizing the interpretation of frequently encountered statistical procedures. Statistical Concepts and Reasoning Introduction to the art and science of decision making in the presence of uncertainty. Elementary Statistics (4 credits) Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation. Prerequisite: 2 units of algebra |
3 credits |
|
HD FS 315Y (US) |
Family Development |
3 credits |
Supporting and Related Courses (3-6 credits)
You should consult with your academic advisor when choosing courses to fulfill degree requirements in the supporting and elective course categories, as some courses not listed may be taken to fulfill degree requirements in this category.
General Education (21 credits)
This includes 15 credits of General Education courses:
3 credits of GS courses
3 credits of GN courses
6 credits of GWS courses
3 credits of GQ courses
Of these 21 credits, 15 are included in the requirements for the major; an additional GA and GH course are required to complete the General Education area.
| Writing and Speaking (GWS) (6 credits) | ||
|
CAS 100B |
Effective Speech | |
|
ENGL 015 |
Rhetoric and Composition | |
| Quantification (GQ) (3 credits) | ||
| EDPSY 101 | Analysis and Interpretation of Statistical Data in Education | |
|
or
|
||
| STAT 100 | Statistical Concepts and Reasoning | |
|
or
|
||
| STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | |
| Natural Sciences (GN) (3 credits) | ||
| BI SC 004 | Human Body: Form and Function | |
|
or
|
||
| BIOL 155 | Introduction to the Biology of Aging | |
|
or
|
||
| BIOL 141 | Introductory Physiology | |
| Arts (GA) (3 credits) | ||
| Humanities (GH) (3 credits) | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) (3 credits) | ||
| PSYCH 100 | Psychology | |
NOTE: Most courses are designed to be completed in 6 months or less. To earn your associate degree in a timely manner, we suggest completing 6 courses every 12 months. Listed prerequisites may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.
NOTE: Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least 3 credits in US or international (IL) cultures courses, as well as 3 credits in writing across the curriculum courses. The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 18 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.