Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Major (BA, BS, HBA, HBS)
This program is available at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
- OSU-Cascades
Options available:
HDFS majors explore how individuals develop and become resilient over time – particularly within the contexts of family, school, work and society. They discover how significant relationships with parents, partners, teachers and friends can influence the ways in which we develop. HDFS majors consider how difficult environments, such as living in poverty, can make lives and relationships more challenging. Finally, they learn to appreciate the diverse ways in which individuals and families thrive and survive. Students may choose to further specialize their HDFS degree with three options that are transcript visible. The three options, available with the BA and BS, allow for student to gain specialized knowledge, competence, and skills through select coursework and internships/practicum experiences.
- Child Development (Corvallis campus only)
- Early Childhood (Cascades campus only)
- Human Services (all campuses, including Ecampus)
Major Code: 447
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Apply relevant theory and research to culturally-responsive, evidence-based practices with individuals, families, or communities.
- Explain how ecological contexts reinforce systems of privilege and oppression in which individuals and families develop.
- Apply equity, inclusion, diversity and social justice principles in practice with individuals, families and/or communities.
- Critically evaluate policies, programs, and practices with relevance to the wellbeing of all individuals and families.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| COMM 218Z | +*INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | 4 |
| HDFS 201 | +*CONTEMPORARY FAMILIES IN THE U.S. | 3 |
| HDFS 233 | +INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| or HDFS 262 | +INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SERVICES | |
| HDFS 240 | +*HUMAN SEXUALITY | 3 |
| HDFS 311 | INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| HDFS 313 | ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| HDFS 314 | ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING | 4 |
| HDFS 341 | FAMILY STUDIES | 4 |
| HDFS 360 | CRITICAL THINKING IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCES | 4 |
| HDFS 361 | APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS | 4 |
| HDFS 447 | +FAMILIES AND POVERTY | 4 |
| HDFS 461 | ^PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSAL WRITING | 4 |
| PSY 201Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I | 4 |
| PSY 202Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY II | 4 |
| SOC 204Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| WR 227Z | +*TECHNICAL WRITING | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-8 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH DATA ANALYSIS | ||
| +ELEMENTARY STATISTICS I and +ELEMENTARY STATISTICS II | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS | ||
| HDFS Beyond the Core | ||
| Select a minimum of 24 credits from the following courses: 1 | 24 | |
| PARENTING RESEARCH AND APPLICATION | ||
| ENGAGING WITH CHILDREN AGES 0-8 | ||
| PRACTICUM IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT | ||
| HUMAN SERVICES INTERNSHIP | ||
| CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER INTERNSHIP | ||
| FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION | ||
| CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES | ||
| EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERNSHIP | ||
| FAMILY VIOLENCE AND NEGLECT | ||
| FAMILY POLICY | ||
| PROFESSIONAL HELPING SKILLS | ||
| HUMAN SERVICES INTERNSHIP | ||
| Remaining Core Ed, Option and/or Electives | 87-92 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
- 1
HDFS Beyond the Core courses are electives designed to meet individual students' educational goals. Other courses may be accepted with advisor approval, but students must complete a minimum of 18 upper-division credits in the 24-credit requirement. If students choose to complete an option, HDFS Beyond the Core courses can double-count with option courses
Major Code: 447
Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.
Bachelor of Science
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| HDFS 201 | +*CONTEMPORARY FAMILIES IN THE U.S. | 3 |
| PSY 201Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I | 4 |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| HDFS 262 or HDFS 233 | +INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SERVICES or +INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| PSY 202Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY II | 4 |
| Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 218Z | +*INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | 4 |
| HDFS 240 | +*HUMAN SEXUALITY | 3 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 341 | FAMILY STUDIES | 4 |
| SOC 204Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS or INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH DATA ANALYSIS or +ELEMENTARY STATISTICS I and +ELEMENTARY STATISTICS II | 4 |
| WR 227Z | +*TECHNICAL WRITING | 4 |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 311 | INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| HDFS 360 | CRITICAL THINKING IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCES | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 313 | ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| HDFS 314 | ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 361 | APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 461 | ^PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSAL WRITING | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| Option Course or Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| HDFS 447 | +FAMILIES AND POVERTY | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 4 | |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| Option Course or Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
Bachelor of Arts
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| HDFS 201 | +*CONTEMPORARY FAMILIES IN THE U.S. | 3 |
| PSY 201Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY I | 4 |
| Language 111 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| HDFS 262 or HDFS 233 | +INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SERVICES or +INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| PSY 202Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY II | 4 |
| Language 112 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 218Z | +*INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | 4 |
| HDFS 240 | +*HUMAN SEXUALITY | 3 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Language 113 | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 341 | FAMILY STUDIES | 4 |
| SOC 204Z | +*INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| Language 211 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| WR 227Z | +*TECHNICAL WRITING | 4 |
| Language 212 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 311 | INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| HDFS 360 | CRITICAL THINKING IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCES | 4 |
| Language 113 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 313 | ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| HDFS 314 | ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING | 4 |
| ST 351 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS or INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH DATA ANALYSIS or +ELEMENTARY STATISTICS I and +ELEMENTARY STATISTICS II | 4 |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS 361 | APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HDFS 461 | ^PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSAL WRITING | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course or Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| HDFS 447 | +FAMILIES AND POVERTY | 4 |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 4 | |
| Option Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 4 | |
| HDFS Elective or Option Course | 3 | |
| Option Course or Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course