Human Development and Family Studies B.S.

Earning a degree in human development and family studies can prepare you for a variety of careers in fields including education, research, social services, counseling, and healthcare. By concentrating on a particular area of study, such as early childhood development or gerontology, for example, you can customize your learning experience based on your specific career goals.

There are several potential career opportunities for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies, including:

• Early childhood educator
• Social worker
• Child welfare specialist
• Family counselor
• Healthcare professional
• Long-term care administrator
• Occupational therapist
• Community outreach specialist
• Human services administrator

A bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies sets a foundation if you wish to pursue a career as a counselor or therapist. However, if you’d like a career in those fields, you may need to pursue a graduate degree or special certification. You can speak with an academic advisor to get more insight about this.

Yes, this program can give you the foundation you need to pursue a graduate degree.

The online HDFS program does not prepare you to take the teacher's licensing exam in Colorado, although it will provide most of the necessary coursework. To become licensed, you can:

• Apply to the on-campus early childhood education major (discuss applicable HDFS coursework with your advisor).
• Enroll in a post-degree teacher licensure program — CSU offers a program in Northern Colorado.
• Qualify for alternative licensure if you have teaching experience. See the State of Colorado ECE Requirements for more information.
• Additionally, some people interested in working with children explore the State of Colorado Director Qualification option.

The difference between psychology and human development and family studies becomes clear when examining the coursework for each program. Psychology students primarily study human behavior, thought, cognition, and brain function. HDFS students focus primarily on how individuals and families develop (both mentally and physically). HDFS is an interdisciplinary program that examines the social context of human development over the lifespan of a person. The HDFS bachelor’s program also gives students the opportunity to customize their area of concentration.

When comparing a psychology bachelor’s degree to an HDFS bachelor’s degree, consider your career goals and how the coursework can provide a relevant foundation of knowledge and skills. In general, an HDFS degree will likely be more valuable to anyone pursuing a career that focuses on both physical and mental human development, e.g. early childhood development or gerontology. A psychology degree will likely be more valuable to anyone pursuing a career that focuses primarily on human behavior, cognition, and mental health.

Students can apply to this program with no previous college credit, or can transfer into this program with 12 credits or more.

The amount of time it will take you to complete the degree depends on how many credits you choose to take each semester. Courses are offered in fall, spring, and summer to offer accessibility and flexibility to students. Students commonly take two to three courses each semester.

The amount of time you will spend weekly will depend on the amount of coursework you commit to each semester, as well as your learning and studying style. It is recommended to spend at least nine to twelve hours per week on a three-credit course.

You will collaborate on projects and exchange ideas with fellow classmates through email, chat rooms, and discussion board postings. Faculty are very present in these courses and will provide ongoing support and interactions by providing online office hours and email contact, as well as discussion board postings.

Online courses are delivered through Canvas and require a computer and internet access. Learn more about accessing online courses.

As a student in CSU’s online human development and family studies bachelor’s program, you will receive the same education, learn from the same faculty, and earn the same regionally accredited degree as students on campus. Additionally, you can expect a program that offers:

• A Full-Lifespan Focus: Our curriculum equips you with skills to help individuals and families throughout the lifespan, from early childhood through older adulthood, thus preparing you for a career in a variety of settings.
• A Customizable Curriculum: Our program can be tailored to fit your specific interests through the choice of five degree concentrations, a gerontology minor and Director Qualifications coursework.
• Personal and Professional Applicability: The skills you learn in our program are equally beneficial to your personal and professional life.
• A Broad Approach: Our well-rounded curriculum incorporates concepts in biology, psychology, sociology, and social work, to provide you with a broad foundation applicable to a variety of human services fields.

Learn more about CSU's rankings and accolades.

Build knowledge of production management, financial management, marketing management, international development, and trade through an agricultural lens. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• AREC 202 – Agricultural and Resource Economics (3 cr.)
• AREC 305 – Agricultural and Resource Enterprise Analysis (3 cr.)

Select any 15 credits from the following

• AREC 310 – Agricultural Marketing (3 cr.)
• AREC 325 – Personnel Management in Agriculture (3 cr.)
• AREC 375 – Agricultural Law (3 cr.)
• AREC 412 – Agricultural Commodities Marketing (3 cr.)
• AREC 428 – Agricultural Business Management (3 cr.)
• AREC 478 – Agricultural Policy (3 cr.)

Get a cross-cultural view of humanity and the broadly conceived dimensions of human behavior. You have the option to focus your anthropology studies on one or more sub-disciplinary divisions, including physical anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, or applied anthropology. To earn the minor, you must complete 22 credits from the following courses:

• ANTH 100 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 cr.)
  OR
  ANTH 200 – Cultures and the Global System (3 cr.)
• ANTH 120 – Human Origins and Variation (3 cr.)
• ANTH 121 – Human Origins and Variation Laboratory (1 cr.)
• ANTH 140 – Introduction to Prehistory (3 cr.)
• 12 credits of any upper division (300 level or above) anthropology courses

Required Courses:

• ACT 205 – Fundamentals of Accounting (3 cr.)
• BUS 205 – Legal and Ethical Issues in Business (3 cr.)
• BUS 220 – Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (3 cr.)
• BUS 405A – Contemporary Business Topics: Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
• FIN 305 – Fundamentals of Finance (3 cr.)
• MGT 305 – Fundamentals of Management (3 cr.)
• MKT 305 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3 cr.)

Total credits: 21

Add to your knowledge base and feel confident working with fields like computer programming, software development, cyber security, and more.

Required Lower Division Courses

• CS 163 – CS1 - No Prior Programming Experience (4 cr.) or
• CS 164 – CS1 - Prior Programming Experience (4 cr.)
• CS 165 – CS2 - Data Structures (4 cr.)
• MATH 117 – College Algebra in Context I (1 cr.)
• MATH 118 – College Algebra in Context II (1 cr.)
• MATH 124 – Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (1 cr.)

Select one course from the following

• CS 220 – Discrete Structures and their Applications (4 cr.)
• CS 253 – Software Development with C++ (4 cr.)
• CS 270 – Computer Organization (4 cr.)

Required Upper Division Courses

• CS courses numbered 300 or above (12 cr.)

Program Total Credits: 24

Please note: Additional Math courses may be required depending on the 300/400 level courses that students choose.

Explore creative writing in one or more of the following genres: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. In addition to broadening your writing repertoire, gain workshop experience at an advanced level. To earn this minor, you must complete a minimum of 21 credits in courses with E or CO subject codes, with at least 15 upper-division credits.

Required Courses

• E 210 – Beginning Creative Writing (3 cr.)
• E 238 – 20^th Century Fiction (3 cr.)

Select one group from the following

Fiction

• E 311A – Intermediate Creative Writing: Fiction (3 cr.)
• E 412A – Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction (3 cr.)

Poetry

• E 311B – Intermediate Creative Writing: Poetry (3 cr.)
• E 412B – Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry (3 cr.)

Nonfiction

• E 311C – Intermediate Creative Writing: Nonfiction (3 cr.)
• E 412C – Creative Writing Workshop: Nonfiction (3 cr.)

Upper-Division Electives

• Composition courses (you must choose 300- or 400- level courses)
• English courses (you must choose 300- or 400- level courses)

The Minor in Design Thinking provides students with an opportunity to develop creative methods and processes for solving societal problems. This human-centered approach engages users and stakeholders in interdisciplinary co-design processes and applies elementary or emerging technologies to develop prototypes that improve spaces, objects, services, problems and ideas benefitting daily experiences and overall quality of life. Students will gain an awareness of the impact of design thinking and its application – to their major, discipline, or profession. Nancy Richardson Design Center course offerings are available in a mix of online, hybrid, or face-to-face. For a full list of learning opportunities offered by the RDC, please visit the courses page.

To earn the minor in Design Thinking online, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• IDEA 110 – Design Your Life for Social Impact (3 cr.)
• IDEA 210 – Introduction to Design Thinking (3 cr.)
• IDEA/MGT 455 – Designing for Defense (3 cr.)

Select any 12 credits from the following:

• IDEA 310B – 3D Modeling (2 cr.)
• IDEA 310D – Digital Imaging (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310G – Infographics (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310H – Mixed Reality Design (3 cr.)
• IDEA 310J – Graphic Noveling (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310K – Technical Sketching and Illustration (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310O – Digital Interaction and Game Design (3 cr.)
• IDEA 310Q – 3D Animation and Story Telling (3 cr.)

Note: Some online courses are still in development.

Gain insight into current socioeconomic problems in the areas of resource allocation, inflation, unemployment, income distribution, environmental degradation, international trade, and monopoly power. This minor prepares you for careers in business management, teaching, government, banking, and public policy. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

• ECON 202 – Principles of Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 204 – Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 304 – Intermediate Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 306 – Intermediate Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 3XX or ECON 4XX (9 cr.)

Prepare for a variety of careers in gerontology and develop an understanding of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of adult development and aging. This interdisciplinary minor prepares you to fill the need for well-trained professionals to support aging adults, and can be paired with any CSU major.

Required Courses

• AHS 487 – Internship in Human Science (1-16 cr.)
• FSHN 444 – Nutrition and Aging (1 cr.)
• HDFS 201 – Perspectives in Gerontology (3 cr.)
• HDFS 312 – Adult Development: Middle Age and Aging (3 cr.)
• SOWK 371E – Social Gerontology (3 cr.)

Electives (3-6 credits)

• BMS 300 – Principles of Human Physiology (4 cr.)
• HDFS 332 – Death, Dying, and Grief (3 cr.)
• HDFS 402 – Couple and Family Studies (3 cr.)
• HDFS 403 – Families in the Legal Environment (3 cr.)
• HDFS 412 – Mental and Physical Health in Adulthood (3 cr.)
• HES 345 – Population Health and Disease Prevention (3 cr.)
• PSY 320 – Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 452 – Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.)
• SOC 330 – Social Inequality (3 cr.)

Prepare to meet today's pressing environmental challenges with this interdisciplinary minor offered by The School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES). Explore innovative research to understand how to solve problems that arise between humans and the environment. To earn your minor, you must complete 21 credits (12 upper-division credits) from the following courses:

Required Courses

• GES 101 – Foundations of Environmental Sustainability (3 cr.)
• GES 470 – Applications of Environmental Sustainability (3 cr.)

Select one course from each group (A-D)

At least 3 credits must be upper-division (300-400 level). Courses may not satisfy two groups.

Group A: Society and Social Processes (select one)

• ANTH 200 – Cultures and the Global System (3 cr.)
• ANTH 330 – Human Ecology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 415 – Indigenous Ecologies and the Modern World (3 cr.)
• GR 100 – Introduction to Geography (3 cr.)
• GR 320 – Cultural Geography (3 cr.)
• POLS 361 – U.S. Environmental Politics and Policy (3 cr.)
• SOC 320 – Population - Natural Resources and Environment (3 cr.)
• SOC 463 – Sociology of Disaster (3 cr.)

Group B: Biological and Physical Processes (select one)

• GR 100 – Introduction to Geography (3 cr.)
• LIFE 220 – Fundamentals of Ecology (3 cr.)

Group C: Economy and Profitability (select one)

• AREC 202 – Agricultural and Resource Economics (3 cr.)
• AREC 340 – Introduction: Economics of Natural Resources (3 cr.)
• AREC 415 – International Agricultural Trade (3 cr.)
• ECON 240 – Issues in Environmental Economics (3 cr.)

Group D: Skills (select one)

• NR 320 – Natural Resources History and Policy (3 cr.)
• SOC 320 – Population - Natural Resources and Environment (3 cr.)
• SOC 463 – Sociology of Disaster (3 cr.)

Upper-Division Elective – select 3 upper-division credits from categories A-D with a subject code not previously taken (3 cr.)

Expand the breadth of your knowledge by earning an undergraduate minor in history. Choose from a range of courses based on your interests. This minor may be particularly useful for students who plan to pursue careers in education, public service, government, museums and archives, law, and other professions that require skills in research, writing, and the analysis of information. To earn the history minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses. (Note: You must complete at least 12 upper-division credits and 9 lower-division credits).

Select any 9 credits from the following

• HIST 100 – Western Civilization, Pre-Modern (3 cr.)
• HIST 101 – Western Civilization, Modern (3 cr.)
• HIST 150 – U.S. History to 1876 (3 cr.)
• HIST 151 – U.S. History since 1876 (3 cr.)

Select any 12 credits from the following

• HIST 302 – Roman Empire (3 cr.)
• HIST 345 – Civil War Era (3 cr.)
• HIST 349 – United States since 1945 (3 cr.)
• HIST 355 – American Environmental History (3 cr.)
• HIST 440 – Modern South Asia: Colonialism and Nationalism (3 cr.)

Growing and managing plants requires you to understand the science and the business of cultivation, and this online bachelor's degree minor emphasizes both. To earn the horticulture minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses.

Required courses (14 credits):

• HORT 100 – Horticultural Science (4 cr.)
• HORT 260 – Plant Propagation (4 cr.)
• HORT 310 – Greenhouse Management (4 cr.)
• HORT 454 – Horticulture Crop Production and Management (2 cr.)

Select two courses (for a minimum of 7 credits) from the following:

• HORT 322 – Herbaceous Plants (3 cr.)
• HORT 347 – Hydroponics (3 cr.)
• HORT 401 – Medicinal and Value-Added Uses of Plants (3 cr.)
• HORT 410 – Postharvest Biology and Technology (3 cr.)
• HORT 412 – Floriculture Crops (4 cr.)
• HORT 451 – Vegetable Crop Management (not currently available online)
• HORT 453 – Principles of Fruit Crop Management (3 cr.)
• HORT 460/SOCR 460 – Plant Breeding (not currently available online)
• HORT 462 – Viticulture Practices in Grape Production (3 cr.)
• HORT 476 – Environmental Plant Stress Physiology (3 cr.)

The Human Development and Family Studies minor provides students across all majors with an opportunity to select course work relevant to their career goals. Students will learn about human development at various stages of the lifespan, within the context of diverse families and social identities. This minor offers students the opportunity to expand their thinking about how relationships, family, culture, biological make-up, and environmental factors influence outcomes related to thinking skills, physical health, and social-emotional well-being across the life cycle. Students will gain an awareness of how to optimize their own and other's development in their careers and personal lives. The HDFS department is committed to promoting the success and well-being of students from heterogeneous backgrounds and experiences.

Effective Fall 2023

Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- & 400-level) credits. Additional courses may be required due to prerequisites.

Courses from this list may not double-count for the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor.

A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in each course used to satisfy the requirements of the Minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Courses used as substitutions also require a minimum grade of C (2.000).

Required Course:

• HDFS 101 – Individual and Family Development (3 cr.)

Electives

Select a minimum of 18 credits from the following (a minimum of 12 credits must be 300-level or higher)

• HDFS 201 – Perspectives in Gerontology (3 cr.)
• HDFS 217 – Creative Experiences for Children (3 cr.)
• HDFS 250 – Introduction to Research Methods (3 cr.)
• HDFS 286 – Practicum (3 cr.)
• HDFS 310 – Infant and Child Development in Context (3 cr.)
• HDFS 311 – Adolescent/Early Adult Development in Context (3 cr.)
• HDFS 312 – Adult Development-Middle Age and Aging (3 cr.)
• HDFS 315 – Disability across the Lifespan and Culture (3 cr.)
• HDFS 317 – Disabilities in Early Childhood Education (3 cr.)
• HDFS 318 – Infancy and Toddlerhood (3 cr.)
• HDFS 332 – Death, Dying, and Grief (3 cr.)
• HDFS 334 – Family and Parenthood Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
• HDFS 350 – Applied Research Methods (3 cr.)
• HDFS 375 – Lifespan Intervention and Prevention Science (3 cr.)
• HDFS 402 – Couple and Family Studies (3 cr.)
• HDFS 403 – Families in the Legal Environment (3 cr.)
• HDFS 404 – Child Life Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
• HDFS 410 – Promoting Early Socioemotional Development (3 cr.)
• HDFS 411 – Developmental Transitions in Adolescence (3 cr.)
• HDFS 412 – Mental and Physical Health in Adulthood (3 cr.)
• HDFS 434 – Risk and Resilience Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
• HDFS 439 – Administration of Early Childhood Programs (3 cr.)
• HDFS 445 (FSHN 445) – Early Childhood Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3 cr.)
• HDFS 470A – Campus Connections–Mentoring At-Risk Youth: Youth Mentor (3 cr.)
• HDFS 475 – Leadership and Advocacy in Human Services (3 cr.)
• HDFS 484 – Supervised College Teaching (3 cr.)
• HDFS 498A – Research: Human Development (3 cr.)
• HDFS 498B – Research: Family Studies (3 cr.)

Develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and peoples with courses in international and global history, politics, languages and cultures, economics, and environmental issues. To earn this minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• GR 100 – Introduction to Geography (3 cr.)
• INST 200 – Interdisciplinary Approaches to International Studies (3 cr.)
• INST 301 – International Studies Research Methods (3 cr.)

Select four courses below

One course from each category, 12 credits total with at least 9 credits in upper-division (300-400) coursework.

History, Politics, and Society

• HIST 100 – Western Civilization I (3 cr.)
• HIST 101 – Western Civilization II (3 cr.)
• HIST 440 – Modern South Asia (3 cr.)
• POLS 232 – International Relations (3 cr.)
• POLS 241 – Comparative Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 420 – History of Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POLS 437 – International Security (3 cr.)
• SOC 333 – Gender and Society (3 cr.)
• IE 471 – Children and Youth in Global Context (3 cr.)

Languages and Cultures

• ANTH 100 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 200 – Cultures and the Global System (3 cr.)
• ANTH 313 – Modernization and Development (3 cr.)
• ANTH 330 – Human Ecology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 336 – Art and Culture (3 cr.)
• ANTH 338 – Gender and Anthropology (3 cr.)
• ANTH 415 – Indigenous Ecologies and the Modern World (3 cr.)
• ANTH 416 – Gender, Culture, and Health (3 cr.)
• E 238 – 20^th Century Fiction (3 cr.)
• ETST 100 – Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3 cr.)
• ETST 205 – Ethnicity and the Media (3 cr.)
• ETST 332 – Contemporary Chicanx Issues (3 cr.)
• GR 320 – Cultural Geography (3 cr.)
• JTC 316 – Multiculturalism and the Media (3 cr.)
• LSPA 300 – Reading and Writing for Communication – Spanish (3 cr.)
• LSPA 345 – Business Spanish (3 cr.)
• INST 380A1 – Narratives of Globalization (3 cr.)

Economy and Environment

• CON 450 – Travel Abroad-Sustainable Building-Sustainable Design and Construction (3 cr.)
• ECON 202 – Principles of Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 204 – Principles of Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECON 211 – Gender in the Economy (3 cr.)
• ECON 240 – Issues in Environmental Economics (3 cr.)
• ECON 440 – International Economics I (3 cr.)
• ECON 460 – Economic Development (3 cr.)
• GES 101 – Foundations of Environmental Sustainability (3 cr.)
• SOC 320 – Population – Natural Resources and Environment (3 cr.)

This interdisciplinary minor is sponsored by departments in different colleges across CSU: Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, English and Journalism and Media Communication. The program is designed for students seeking a broad foundation in information technology, but not seeking to major in a specific information technology-related field. The program requires 21 credits and is open to students majoring in any field other than computer science, computer information systems, and electrical and computer engineering.

Required Course

• JTC 413 – New Media Trends and Society (3 cr.)

Elective Courses

Select any 15 credits from the following

• CS 150A – Culture and Coding: Java (GT-AH3) (3 cr.)
• CS 150B – Culture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3) (3 cr.)
• CS 163 – CS1---No Prior Programming Experience (4 cr.)
  OR
  CS 164 – CS1--Prior Programming Experience (4 cr.)
• CS 165 – CS2--Data Structures (4 cr.)
• CS 312 – Modern Web Applications (3 cr.)
• JTC 300 – Professional and Technical Communication (GT-CO3) (3 cr.)
  OR
  JTC 301 – Corporate and Professional Communication (GT-CO3) (3 cr.)
• JTC 335 – Photography (3 cr.)
• JTC 372 – Web Design and Development (3 cr.)
• JTC 417 – Data Visualization Design (3 cr.)
• JTC 427 – Motion Graphics Design (3 cr.)
• JTC 472 – Advanced Web Design and Development (3 cr.)

Program Total Credits: 21

Note: Nine credits must be from upper-division courses. A minimum of six credits must be completed from at least two subject codes.

Required Courses

• MATH 117 – College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1) (1 cr.)
• MATH 118 – College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1) (1 cr.)
• MATH 124 – Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1) (1 cr.)
• MATH 125 – Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1) (1 cr.)
• MATH 126 – Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1) (1 cr.)
• CS 165 – CS2-Data Structures (4 cr.)
• CS 220 – Discrete Structures and their Applications (4 cr.)
• CS 345 – Machine Learning Foundations and Practice (3 cr.)
• CS 445 – Introduction to Machine Learning (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

• CS 163 – CS1---No Prior Programming Experience (4 cr.)
• CS 164 – CS1--Prior Programming Experience (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

• DSCI 369 – Linear Algebra for Data Science (4 cr.)
• MATH 369 – Linear Algebra I (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

• STAT 301 – Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
• STAT 315 – Intro to Theory and Practice of Statistics (3 cr.)

Please note: Additional Math courses may be required depending on the 300/400 level courses that students choose

Understand the role and influence of mass media in American society and other cultures by studying media and film history, criticism, law, ethics, social effects, cultural consequences, and multicultural and international media issues. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• SPCM 100 - Communication and Popular Culture (3 cr.)
• JTC 415 – Communications Law (3 cr.)

Select any 15 credits from the following

• SPCM 341 – Evaluating Contemporary Television (3 cr.)
• SPCM 342 – Critical Media Studies (3 cr.)
• SPCM 349 – Freedom of Speech (3 cr.)
• SPCM 350 – Evaluating Contemporary Film (3 cr.)
• SPCM 357 – Film and Social Change (3 cr.)
• JTC 220 – News, Truth, and Deception (3 cr.)
• JTC 305 – Media and Global Identity (3 cr.)
• JTC 311 – History of Media (3 cr.)
• JTC 316 – Multiculturalism and the Media (3 cr.)
• JTC 350 – Public Relations (3 cr.)
• JTC 355 – Advertising (3 cr.
• JTC 411 – Media Ethics and Issues (3 cr.)
• JTC 413 – New Communication Technologies and Society (3 cr.)
• JTC 412 – International Mass Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 425 – Multicultural Communication (3 cr.)

Gain a foundation in political theory and prepare for careers in law, teaching in the social sciences, journalism, and public service. To earn the minor, you must complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• POLS 101 – American Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 420 – History of Political Thought (3 cr.)

Select six credits from the following

• POLS 103 – State and Local Government and Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 232 – International Relations (3 cr.)
• POLS 241 – Comparative Government and Politics (3 cr.)

Select nine credits of upper division classes from the following

• POLS 302 – U.S. Political Parties and Elections (3 cr.)
• POLS 345 – Russian, Central, and East European Politics (3 cr.)
• POLS 361 – U.S. Environmental Politics and Policy (3 cr.)
• POLS 420 – History of Political Thought (3 cr.)
• POLS 437 – American Security Policy (3 cr.)
• POLS 460 – Public Policy Process (3 cr.)
• POLS 465 – Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.)

The minor in Science Communication is designed to educate highly qualified communicators who have interests in specialized academic disciplines and career fields. Because science often involves complicated research and processes, communicating the results of that work requires special skills. This program is designed to prepare students for a wide range of niche career opportunities in media, corporate communication, science-related industries, and scientific environments.

Required Courses

• JTC 210 – Newswriting (3 cr.)
• JTC 211 – Visual Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 319 – Science and Environmental Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 350 – Public Relations (3 cr.)
• JTC 419 – Food and Natural Resources Communication (3 cr.)

Select two courses from the following:

• JTC 320A – Reporting: General News (3 cr.)
• JTC 326 – Online Storytelling and Audience Engagement (3 cr.)
• JTC 328 – Feature Writing (3 cr.)
• JTC 335 – Photography (3 cr.)
• JTC 351 – Publicity and Media Relations (3 cr.)
• JTC 354 – Crisis Communication (3 cr.)
• JTC 355 – Advertising (3 cr.)
• JTC 356 – Advertising Creativity and Copywriting (3 cr.)
• JTC 359 – Audience Insights (3 cr.)
• JTC 361 – Writing for Specialized Magazines (3 cr.)
• JTC 363 – Data Journalism (3 cr.)
• JTC 371 – Publications Design and Production (3 cr.)
• JTC 372 – Web Design and Development (3 cr.)
• JTC 417 – Data Visualization Design (3 cr.)
• JTC 451 – Integrated Communication Campaigns (3 cr.)

Develop technical skills and knowledge to study human societies. To earn this minor, complete 21 credits from the following courses:

Required Courses

• SOC 100 – General Sociology (3 cr.)
  OR
  
• SOC 105 – Social Problems (3 cr.)
  
• SOC 301 – Development of Sociological Thought (3 cr.)
• SOC 311 – Methods of Sociological Inquiry (3 cr.)

Select any 12 credits from the following

• SOC 205 – Contemporary Race-Ethnic Relations (3 cr.)
• SOC 220 – Environment, Food, and Social Justice (GT-SS3) (3 cr.)
• SOC 313 – Computer Methods in Sociology (1 cr.)
• SOC 320 – Population - Natural Resources and Environment (3 cr.)
• SOC 330 – Social Stratification (3 cr.)
• SOC 333 – Population - Gender and Society (3 cr.)
• SOC 352 – Criminology (3 cr.)
• SOC 359 – Population - Green Criminology (3 cr.)
• SOC 372 – Sociology of Deviance (3 cr.)
• SOC 373 – Population - Visual Sociology (3 cr.)
• SOC 463 – Population - Sociology of Disaster (3 cr.)

Open to all undergraduate students, the Certificate in Design Thinking will improve not only the way students learn and find solutions to problems in their current coursework, but will also help make students more employable with sought-after marketable skills. Students will gain an awareness of the impact of design thinking and its application – regardless of discipline, profession, or major. Nancy Richardson Design Center course offerings are available in a mix of online, hybrid, or face-to-face. For a full list of learning opportunities offered by the RDC, please visit the courses page.

To earn the certificate in Design Thinking online, you must complete 12 credits from the following courses:

Required Course

• IDEA 210 – Introduction to Design Thinking (3 cr.)

Select any 9 credits from the following:

• IDEA 310B – 3D Modeling (2 cr.)
• IDEA 310D – Digital Imaging (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310G – Infographics (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310H – Mixed Reality Design (3 cr.)
• IDEA 310J – Graphic Noveling (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310K – Technical Sketching and Illustration (1 cr.)
• IDEA 310O – Digital Interaction and Game Design (3 cr.)
• IDEA 310Q – 3D Animation and Story Telling (3 cr.)
• IDEA/MGT 455 – Designing for Defense (3 cr.)

Note: Some online courses are still in development.

For students interested in working in animal science, veterinary medicine, or related fields, this certificate program teaches intermediate-level Spanish for use in agricultural and animal care settings. Learn to communicate in Spanish about livestock, equine, and small animal breeds, give directions for animal care and handling, issue instructions for safety and drug administration, and more.

Courses

• LSPA 340 – Spanish for Animal Health and Care Fields (3 cr.)
• LSPA 342 – Spanish for Animal Health and Care Fields II (3 cr.)
• LSPA 343 – Spanish Terminology-Animal Health/Agriculture (3 cr.)
• LSPA 444 – The Intercultural Workplace-Animal Health/Ag (3 cr.)

Prepare for a career as a seed analyst with online courses in seed technology. These courses, led by Colorado State University and supported by three other major universities (Iowa State University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Kentucky) and the Crop Science Society of America, offer a comprehensive overview of seed analysis, a technical skill requiring patience, attention to detail, and a scientific understanding of seed biology. After completion, you will be prepared to complete the examinations to become a Registered Seed Technologist.

Courses

• SOCR 200 – Seed Anatomy and Identification (1 cr.)
• SOCR 201 – Seed Development and Metabolism (1 cr.)
• SOCR 300 – Seed Purity Analysis (2 cr.)
• SOCR 301 – Seed Germination and Viability (2 cr.)
• SOCR 311 – Seed Quality: Seed Production and Genetics (1 cr.)
• SOCR 410 – Seed Processes: Storage and Deterioration (1 cr.)
• SOCR 412 – Seed Processes: Separation and Conditioning (1 cr.)
• SOCR 413 – Seed Vigor: Concepts and Testing (2 cr.)

Note: Additional study and testing is required to become a Certified Seed Analyst or Registered Seed Technologist.

• Previous college credit may be transferred into the online human development and family studies bachelor's degree program, and minimum credits required can vary depending on previous coursework completed.
• 2.0 cumulative GPA (2.5 cumulative GPA preferred) from all coursework previously completed*
• Satisfy admission requirement in mathematics^†
• High school graduation or equivalent

* A 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college work attempted is the threshold for consideration. Applicants who have a cumulative GPA below 2.5 should be prepared to demonstrate academic success in the form of an upward GPA trend and no D/F grades in their most recent terms.

^† Additional information may be required for international applicants. Please connect with a coach to learn more.

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 the $50 nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online) or waiver (if eligible).

• First-time Freshman: select the “Freshman” application, then choose Human Development and Family Studies as the program of study.
• After completing the application process, please contact an H.D.F.S. advisor at 970-491-4947 to ensure your application is for the online program.
• Transfer students: select "Human Development and Family Studies—online degree program" when choosing major.

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.