Credits and costs
Enhance Your Penn State Degree
Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.
Gain Specialized Knowledge
Earning a minor enables you to complement your major, pursue a personal interest, or explore a different field of study.
The minor in human development and family studies (HD FS) can give you an advantage in your chosen career by helping you understand human development and issues related to individuals, families, and communities.
By examining topics that range from how human beings develop over their life spans to resolving family conflict, you can complement your major course work with knowledge and skills about the ways people think, behave, and interact with each other throughout their lives.
This minor is open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites, but has been most popular among students majoring in criminal justice, international politics, law and society, letters, arts, and sciences, nursing, organizational leadership, political science, and psychology.
Courses
To earn a minor in HDFS, you must complete 18 credits of HDFS course work with a grade of "C" or better.
As a student who minors in HDFS, you are encouraged to tailor the focus of your minor by selecting courses that fit your interests and complement your major area of study.
Requirements of the minor include:
- HDFS 129: Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies (3 credits)
- 9 credits of HDFS courses from any level
- 6 credits of 400-level HDFS courses
Core Courses (3 credits)
Elective Courses (select 15 credits)
At least 6 credits must be at the 400 level.
Note: As part of the course planning process, consult with an adviser as early as possible to be sure you will meet the prerequisites for courses you plan to use toward completion of the minor. For instance, with proper planning, completing HDFS 229 (which is a prerequisite of HDFS 428) can count toward the 9-credit block of HDFS courses from any level. Then, you will be eligible to take HDFS 428, which would count toward the 6-credit block of 400-level HDFS courses.
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.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $626 per credit | $671 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,602 per semester | $8,206 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $632 per credit | $678 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,678 per semester | $8,288 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Admissions Help
Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admittance into the Human Development and Family Studies minor, you must:
- be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester and be in a bachelor's degree major
- maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
- confirm that the minor code and major code do not match
Adding a Minor
If you have achieved fifth-semester standing (60 credits completed), you can apply for admission to the minor. To begin, please follow these steps:
- Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements.
- You can apply for the minor by adding it in LionPATH. You should do this as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
- You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Minor in Human Development and Family Studies, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, please contact:
World Campus Advisers
Phone: 814-863-3283
Email: [email protected]