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The associate degree in human development and family studies offers an excellent professional development opportunity for those who already work in a human service–related field, but additionally serves as an appropriate entry point for those who aspire to human service-related occupations. This program integrates practical and academic experiences to provide the student with entry-level, professional competence in the human service fields. The objective of the major is to offer a general education background, a knowledge base in life span and family development, and a core of professional skills that may be applied in program planning and service delivery activities. Students can choose from two areas of focus.

Adult Development and Aging Services Option

This option is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of service roles in mental health facilities, nursing homes and other institutions for the aged, area agencies on aging, public welfare and family service, women's resource centers, human relations programs, employee assistance programs, and customer services and consumer relations programs in business and industry. An approved field experience in any of a wide variety of settings that serve adults, the aged, and their families is required for this option (HD FS 395).

Children, Youth, and Family Services Option

This option is designed to prepare students for service roles in preschools; day-care centers; hospitals; institutional and community programs for emotionally disturbed, abused, or neglected children and adolescents; and a variety of public welfare and family service agencies. An approved field experience in a children, youth, or family services setting is required for this option (HD FS 395).

Course List - Associate in Science in Human Development and Family Studies 

The following is a summary list of the courses required for your successful completion of the 60-credit Associate of Science in Human Development and Family Studies:

Option 1: Adult Development and Aging Services Option (21 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Adult Development and Aging HD FS 249 (GS) Physiological, psychological, and social development and intervention from young adulthood through old age. 3 credits
Human Development and Family Studies Interventions HD FS 311 Survey of individual and family formal and informal intervention efforts; historical and current perspectives and approaches.

Prerequisite: HD FS 129		 3 credits
Option 2: Children, Youth, and Family Services Option (24 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Infant and Child Development HD FS 229 (GS) Theory, research, and methods of social/behavioral/biological sciences related to developmental processes and intervention during infancy and childhood. 3 credits
Adolescent Development HD FS 239 (GS) Social, behavioral, and biological development and intervention throughout adolescence. 3 credits
Human Development and Family Studies Interventions HD FS 311 Survey of individual and family formal and informal intervention efforts; historical and current perspectives and approaches.

Prerequisite: HD FS 129		 3 credits

Requirements for both options:

Prescribed Courses for Both Options
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Effective Speech CAS 100B (GWS) Introduction to speech communication: formal speaking, group discussion, analysis and evaluation of messages. 3 credits
Rhetoric and Composition ENGL 015 (GWS) 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
Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies HD FS 129 (GS) Introduction to psychosocial and family development at all stages of the individual and family life cycle. 3 credits
Values and Ethics in Health and Human Development Professions HD FS 301 Examines bases for choices among values in personal and professional relations in human development processes and supporting services. 3 credits
Internship HD FS 395 Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.

This is a two semester internship sequence. In the first semester, students complete HD FS 395.1 (3 credits) to secure and prepare for an internship. In the next semester, students take HD FS 395.2 (3 credits), which combines 160 hours of hands-on work at a human service organization with an academic component.		 6 credits
Psychology PSYCH 100 (GS) Introduction to general psychology; principles of human behavior and their applications. 3 credits
Additional Courses for Both Options (9-10 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Human Body: Form and Function

OR

Introduction to the Biology of Aging

OR

Introductory Physiology		 BI SC 004 (GN)

OR

BIOL 155 (GN)

OR

BIOL 141 (GN)		 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.

OR

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.

OR

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
Analysis and Interpretation of Statistical Data in Education

OR

Statistical Concepts and Reasoning

OR

Elementary Statistics (4 credits)		 EDPSY 101 (GQ)

OR

STAT 100 (GQ)

OR

OR

STAT 200 (GQ)		 An introduction to quantitative methods in educational research emphasizing the interpretation of frequently encountered statistical procedures.

OR

Introduction to the art and science of decision making in the presence of uncertainty.

OR

Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

Prerequisite: 2 units of algebra		 3 credits
Family Development

OR

Sociology of the Family		 HD FS 315Y (US)

OR

SOC 030 (GS)		 Family functions over the life course; family from a multidisciplinary perspective, emphasizing adaptation and change.

Prerequisite: HD FS 129; 3 credits of social, behavioral, or human biological sciences

OR

Family structure and interaction; functions of the family as an institution; cross-cultural comparisons. (not currently available through the World Campus)		 3 credits

Supporting and Related Courses (15 credits)

You should consult with your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill degree requirements from the HD FS supporting course list, as some courses not listed may be taken to fulfill degree requirements in this category.

General Education (21-27 credits*)
Description Credits
Arts — GA 3 credits
Humanities — GH 3 credits
Natural Sciences — GN (BI SC 004, BIOL 155, BIOL 141) 3 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences — GS (PSYCH 100) 3 credits
Writing and Speaking — GWS (CAS 100B, ENGL 015) 6 credits
Quantification — GQ (EDPSY 101, STAT 100, STAT 200) 3 credits
Any General Education course, including Integrative Studies (Inter-domain or Linked courses) 3 credits
United States Cultures (US), or International Cultures (IL) or combined designation (US; IL) 3 credits*
Writing Across the Curriculum (W, M, X,Y) 3 credits*

*May be satisfied by designated courses that also meet other degree or General Education requirements.

Note: 15 of these 21 credits are included in requirements for the major

Course Availability

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