Human Development and Family Studies Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Development and Family Studies

Online human development and family studies degree from CSU

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.

Choose a degree concentration

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:

• Early childhood professions
• Leadership and entrepreneurial professions
• Pre-health professions
• Prevention and intervention sciences
• Human development and family studies

Minor in gerontology

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. The United States Administration on Aging reports that by 2030, one in five individuals will be 65 years or older. This "graying" of America spurs demand for careers in gerontology, and a degree minor can help you meet the demand for well-trained professionals in this area.

Learn more about the requirements for this and other minors on our Degree Minors page.

Gain additional qualifications for roles in leadership

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:

• Observation
• Program development and implementation
• Grant writing
• Social policy information
• Working with diverse populations

Build an interdisciplinary foundation

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:

• Child, adolescent, and adult development
• Professional skills development
• Families and relationships
• Research methods and program development

While these skills are highly relevant to future professionals, you may also find that the tools provided in the program aid your personal growth. Being able to recognize the cognitive, social, and biological factors that affect development can help you to navigate challenges in your own life.

What Next?

• Keep reading

  Next: Requirements and Curriculum »

  Learn more about what to expect from CSU's curriculum, including the requirements to earn your degree.