WHAT IS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES?
Human development and family studies is an applied, interdisciplinary field that draws from disciplines ranging from developmental psychology, education and sociology to examine how individuals and families develop across the lifespan and the role of key contexts in their growth and development. Students pursuing this program are prepared through coursework and real-world laboratory, practicum and internship experiences to work in direct-service positions promoting developmentally appropriate and evidence-based best practices. Students can specialize in one of three concentration areas: child development, which focuses on infancy through childhood with an emphasis on learning, education and developmentally appropriate practices and activities; family support, which focuses on development within the context of families, close relationships, and communities; or lifespan development, which focuses on understanding and supporting development across the entire lifespan.
WHY STUDY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES AT UNH?
Students in the human development and family studies program at UNH receive high-quality undergraduate instruction and advising. As a major public research university, UNH emphasizes hands-on experience and research opportunities. Students have multiple opportunities to put theory into practice through the Child Study and Development Center and community-based settings that serve individuals and families.
POTENTIAL CAREER AREAS
- Child and family support organizations
- Courts and corrections systems
- Development or support organizations for children, youth or seniors
- Family or workplace education programs
- Government agencies–administrative or human services
- Policy analysis, advocacy or research
- Schools (K-12, early childhood)
- Youth development programs
From the CHHS Blog
Curriculum & Requirements
Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is an academic discipline focused on understanding the development of individuals and families over time and across the ecological contexts in which they live. The Child Development option within the major is applied and versatile, preparing students for in-demand careers focused on enhancing child and family well-being in settings that include childcare centers, hospitals, schools, and social service agencies. The Child Development curriculum offers students the opportunity to take courses on infant and child development, youth facing risk, teaching and learning, observation and assessment of children, learning through play, parent-child relationships, and more. Coursework emphasizes diverse experiences across gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, and family structure to prepare students for inclusive programming and practice.
As a major public research university, UNH emphasizes hands-on experience and research opportunities for undergraduate students. Students within the HDFS Child Development option are provided with opportunities to put theory and research into practice through practicum coursework at the Child Study and Development Center and through an optional senior year internship experience at one of the many community-based organizations that support children and families in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire.
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| HDFS 525 or HDFS 545 | Human Development 1 or Intimate Relationships and Families | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| CHHS First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 525 or HDFS 545 | Human Development 1 or Intimate Relationships and Families | 4 |
| HDFS 555 | Research Methods in HDFS | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Inquiry Course | 4 | |
| CHHS First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 623 | Infant and Child Development | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 635 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| CD Elective 2 | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 635 or HDFS 630W | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings 1 or Youth Facing Adversity | 4 |
| HDFS 771 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children (or CD Elective) 1,2 | 4 |
| CD Elective 2 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 771 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children (or CD Elective) 1 | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 743 | Families, Schools, and Community (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) 1,3 | 4 |
| Major Supporting Course | 4 | |
| Major Supporting Course | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 743 | Families, Schools, and Community (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) 1,3 | 4 |
| Major Supporting Course 4 | 4 | |
| Major Supporting Course 4 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 3 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 130 | |
- 1
Students should enroll in each listed course only once.
- 2
CD electives refer to development and context courses.
- 3
Students should use these credit hours towards a dual/double major, minor, accelerated master's program (senior year if applicable), or as general elective coursework.
- 4
Students should consult their advisor to determine if a course outside of HDFS meets the supporting course requirements. The Community Internship satisfies supporting course requirements. Students who do not complete the internship must earn at least four supporting course credits within HDFS.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
The core curriculum required of each Human Development and Family Studies student is designed to give a broad introduction to individual and family development and interpersonal relationships across the lifespan. Building off this curriculum, each student can specialize in one of three options, Child Development, Early Child Education Teacher Licensure, or Family and Lifespan Development which guide further required coursework. Faculty advisors support students in selecting coursework to best prepare them for their specific career objectives. In their senior year, students complete a capstone course and may participate in a year-long community-based internship experience.
Candidates for the Human Development and Family Studies degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery and Writing Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of the major/option.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| HDFS 525 | Human Development | 4 |
| HDFS 545 | Intimate Relationships and Families | 4 |
| HDFS 555 | Research Methods in HDFS | 4 |
| Child Development Option Requirements | ||
| HDFS 623 | Infant and Child Development | 4 |
| HDFS 630W | Youth Facing Adversity | 4 |
| HDFS 635 | Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| HDFS 771 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children | 4 |
| Select three elective development in context courses from the following: | 12 | |
HDFS 684 | Curriculum for Young Children | |
HDFS 794 | Families and the Law | |
HDFS 641 | Parenting Across the Life Span | |
HDFS 590 | Learning Through Play | |
HDFS 565 | Introduction to Child Life | |
HDFS 709 | Child Development Internship | |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Supporting courses are intended to provide an individualized component to the HDFS curriculum. Because HDFS is interdisciplinary, this allows students to explore related areas that contribute to their academic and professional goals. The 16-credit hour HDFS community internship will satisfy the supporting coursework requirement. For students not completing the internship, at least 4 of their supporting course credits must come from within HDFS. The remaining 12 credits of supporting coursework can include additional courses within HDFS or outside of HDFS as long as those taken outside of HDFS are: | 16 | |
1. At the 500-level or above | ||
2. Approved by an HDFS advisor | ||
Classes outside of HDFS meeting supporting course criteria are often found in the psychology, sociology, social work, women’s and gender studies, education, and communication sciences and disorders departments. | ||
| Capstone | ||
| HDFS 743 | Families, Schools, and Community | 4 |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Use theoretical frameworks and empirical research to understand and explain child development, family process and the interaction of children and families with society.
- Recognize and respect a diversity of family forms and processes. Understand how child development and family interactions are shaped by diverse personal contexts and cultures. Understand and be aware of one’s own biases, beliefs, and values.
- Understand ethical decision-making processes, and ethical standards and principles relevant to our discipline. Positively represent the profession in academic, professional and community settings.
Explore Program Details
Honors in Major for the HDFS Department offers students the opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of issues related to the health and well-being of individuals and families. The program emphasizes student-led, individualized curricula and encourages the formation of working relationships between students and faculty.
Honor in Major can be pursued without participating in the Hamel Honors and Scholars College or completing Discovery Honors requirements. To learn more University Honors, visit the Hamel Honors and Scholars College . Students, however, must still complete all HDFS requirements for their concentration.
Student’s interested in pursuing Honor in Major need to schedule a meeting with the Hamel Honors and Scholars College Liaison, Dr. Kimberly Nesbitt. While applications must be submitted before the end of Spring semester of the Junior year, students are encouraged to apply early to allow maximum flexibility in completing program requirements.
GPA Requirements for Honors in Major
Honors in Major for HDFS is open all undergraduates in all department concentrations; however, students are required to maintain an overall grade-point average of 3.40 and a 3.40 grade-point average in the major.
Honors in Major Courses
Students must successfully complete sixteen (16) credits of honors in HDFS at the 600 level or above. Of those sixteen credits, only one course may be chosen from the 600 level, while three must be chosen from the 700 level. The 700-level coursework must include 4 credits (across two semesters) of HDFS 799 – Honors Senior Thesis. HDFS honors courses require independent work, readings, and meetings with the course instructor not required of other students enrolled in the course.
Honors Thesis
Students must successfully complete four credits of HDFS 799 – Honors Senior Thesis. HDFS 799 is a two-credit course that is taken pass/fail over both semesters of the student’s senior year. As part of the thesis process, honors candidates must present a proposal to their faculty advisors that includes active student participation in original research. Once their research is completed, honors students must present their findings at a seminar (typically the UNH Undergraduate Research Conference ) and submit a written thesis to their faculty advisor.
Learn more about Honors in Major:
Honors in Major Guidelines and Thesis Requirements
Honors in Major Course Designation Form
Departmental Research Interest
Contact Information
For more information, contact:
Dr. Kimberly Nesbitt
Honors Program Liaison
Phone: (603) 862-2159
Email: kimberly.nesbitt@unh.edu
Students interested in our Human Development and Family Studies major may also be interested in these advanced degree offerings:
Visit our website to see whether our program meets your professional licensure requirements.
