Select one of the options below:
Gain skills to help individuals and families throughout different stages of life with this online human development degree.
Regardless if you are a first-time freshman, transfer student, or you are interested in pursuing a second bachelor's degree, this highly customizable program can help you achieve your educational and career goals. Through coursework and field experience focused on individual and family development across the lifespan, you will discover how people develop and change, and how family, community, and society affect human development.
In addition to the core courses in the HDFS degree curriculum, you have five degree concentration choices. You may choose to specialize in one or two of the following concentrations, depending on your career goals:
Gain a better understanding of the aging process, including the biological, psychological, and social aspects of adult development and aging with an optional gerontology minor. View the degree minors section of this page to learn more.
You can also choose to pursue Director Qualifications for early childhood centers as part of this degree program. In choosing this option, you will work with your advisor to select electives that help you meet state requirements and prepare you to seek early childhood education credentials upon completion of the coursework.
HDFS graduates are also strong candidates for application to become Certified Family Life Educators, who focus on healthy family functioning within a family systems perspective. They utilize a primarily preventive approach to address societal issues within the context of family.
Regardless of which direction you choose, CSU's online human development and family studies degree will equip you with skills in:
This degree uses research and insight from multiple disciplines to provide you with a broad foundation of knowledge. Understanding key concepts in biology, psychology, sociology, and social work allows you to apply your skills to a variety of human service fields. This human development and family studies (HDFS) program's core curriculum covers topics like:
Find out how CSU’s research is making an impact by tuning into the CHHS Health and Human Science Matters Podcast, a collection of lively, engaging conversations with members of the college community.
Human development and family studies is a broad field that can lead to a number of different career opportunities, depending on your interests. Regardless if you are seeking a first-time career or are interested in switching to a new field, this program can help you reach your goals. Potential careers for human development majors include:
This bachelor's degree will also provide you with the necessary foundation to pursue further education and credentials. Many people who are interested in pursuing careers in counseling first start out with a HDFS bachelor's degree before going on to graduate programs.
To prepare for your specific career aspirations, you will select one or two degree concentrations. This allows you to lay the groundwork for working in specific areas, including early childhood professions, healthcare, counseling and social services, and more.
You also have the option to minor in gerontology. This option prepares you to meet the needs of our aging population and sets you apart as someone with the skills necessary to enter this rewarding, in-demand career field.
If your interests lie in early childhood, you may also consider taking additional coursework to prepare to apply for Director Qualifications upon graduation, opening the door to director or substitute director opportunities in child care centers.
Using skills learned through our core curriculum and personalization options, graduates of the HDFS program work in a variety of human service settings. Early childhood care and education programs, youth services organizations, long-term care centers, and Head Start programs have hired past graduates.
Hear what students say about this human development and family studies bachelor's degree, and see how CSU's online programs help them attain their educational goals in the midst of their busy lives.
Hear about Austin's experience working in an orphanage in Honduras while studying online, and how his HDFS degree has given him knowledge to draw from to enhance his career.
Find out how participating in the HDFS program provided Chelsee the opportunity to help families and give back to her local community.
Hear Jessica describe the way her human development and family studies degree sets her apart, and establishes her as a professional nanny who has the ability to co-parent.
Hear Bethany describe how her HDFS degree has not only helped her professionally as a family care provider, but also as a mother of a child with autism.
Degree concentrations allow you to customize your curriculum based on your career aspirations. As a student in this program*, you must declare a minimum of one concentration, and no more than two. Each concentration, except the HDFS general concentration, will be listed on your transcript as indication of specialized training within the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) program. You may choose from the following degree concentrations:
Learn to work with children in a variety of settings, including special needs and early childhood careers. This concentration is ideal for first- and second-year students who plan to apply to the competitive early childhood education major during their sophomore year. Coursework features child development classes, and incorporates approaches from several disciplines that focus on education, diversity, and professional skills.
Gain valuable skills and knowledge for careers in businesses that promote individual and family development. This concentration is best suited for those interested in working as directors, managers, or business owners, as well as in legal services. The curriculum provides a comprehensive entrepreneurship education, with coursework in finance, management, marketing, public policy, professional communication, and leadership.
Launch your medical career with pre-health coursework that prepares you to work with individuals with disabilities and mental and physical illness, as well as those experiencing death or grief. Students in this pre-health program have gone on to pursue careers as allied health practitioners, occupational therapist, physical therapists, anesthesiologist assistants, child life specialists, chiropractors, dentists, medical doctors, music therapists, podiatrists, speech and language pathologists, and veterinarians, among others.
Previously known as Prevention and Intervention Sciences, this concentration will prepare students for careers in human services. This is a great choice if you are interested in careers requiring either a bachelor’s degree or additional credentials.
Broaden your education with the human development and family studies concentration. This general option is available to HDFS majors who are interested in learning about the entire individual or family life cycle rather than specializing in a certain area. The curriculum features psychology and social work courses in addition to HDFS credits, providing a well-rounded and robust education. As part of this concentration, you also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of experiential learning courses and internship opportunities to help you explore your career path and credentialing options.
*All students entering the program in Fall 2015 or later must select at least one (and may add up to two) concentrations.
Broaden your degree by adding a minor that deepens your interests and builds valuable, career-ready skills. A minor helps you explore new ideas, gain focused expertise, and strengthen your education without significantly changing your degree plan. Many courses can count toward both your major and minor, including courses you’ve already completed, as long as all requirements are finished before graduation.
| Fall semester | June 1 |
| Spring semester | November 1 |
| Summer semester | May 1 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowPlanning to transfer credits from another college or university? Please review our FAQ page, then complete a Tentative Transfer Evaluation Form to see how your prior credits may transfer.
Refer to admissions.colostate.edu/apply/ for details about who we look for in our individual review process
Call or email our student success team to find out if the program is a good fit for your goals. Our coaches are available Monday-Friday to help you find the right program and navigate the application process.
Student Success Coach: Kyle Yates
Phone: (970) 682-7252
Email: kc.yates@colostate.edu
Complete Colorado State University's online undergraduate application and pay any associated nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online) or waiver (if eligible).
Online applications must be submitted before 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) on the deadline date. If you miss the application deadline, you may still register for courses to begin your program of study as a non-degree student. Students seeking Federal financial aid must be admitted prior to enrolling.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Use FAFSA code 001350. Additional financial aid information is also available.
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis and may take up to six weeks during high volume application periods.
Questions? Call (970) 682-7252 or email kc.yates@colostate.edu.
We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.
