Courses
The Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Life Span Human Services option, is a 120-credit program. A grade of C or better is required in any HDFS course taken to satisfy the degree requirements. Consultation with your World Campus academic adviser to help you navigate your completion of this degree is strongly recommended.
The curriculum can help you learn how people and families change over time — biologically, psychologically, economically, and socially. You will study how family relationships, peers, social institutions (e.g., schools, work environments), income, religion, cultural background, and government policies all affect an individual's development and how interventions in these settings can facilitate growth and reduce problems in development. You will also investigate moral, ethical, and legal issues you will face as a professional, and learn to evaluate alternative approaches to promoting optimal development.
The program also provides a great stepping-stone into graduate-level studies.
Prescribed Courses for the Major (18 credits)
Additional Courses for the Major (13 credits)
Human Development Courses (select 6 credits)
United States Cultures and STAT 200 (7 credits)
Select 3 credits of United States Cultures.
Prescribed Courses for the Life Span Human Services Option (9 credits)
Additional Courses for the Life Span Human Services Option (35 credits)
Human Development Courses (9 credits)
Select 6 credits from 300- or 400-level HDFS courses and select 3 credits from the following list of courses:
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Field Practice in Human Service Setting (14 credits)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (12 credits)
Select 12 credits (minimum of 6 credits at the 400 level) in consultation with your adviser from University-wide offerings that develop competency in the option (a grade of C or better is required in any HDFS course taken to satisfy this requirement).
General Education Requirements
Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses. - Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses. - Integrative Studies: 6 credits
This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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