The Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Science and Human Development prepares students for careers working with individuals, children, youth, and families as practitioners and educators in a multitude of community, school, and workplace settings. Our unique, interdisciplinary approach provides students with both theoretical foundations and their applications for working with people. Students examine the various cultural, community, and socioeconomic contexts in which families function and study interventions used to support individuals and families across the life span, from infancy to old age. They learn approaches grounded in social justice, diversity, and equity, and have opportunities to practice new skills with community engagement experiences.
The Families, Children and School Settings concentration prepares students to pursue certification for teaching at the early childhood (P-) or elementary (K-6) level. Admission to the Teacher Education program is a separate process that students complete sophomore to junior year.
Program Requirements Overview
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| 39 |
| 3-6 |
| 69 |
| 9-6 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Major Requirements
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| FSHD 101 | Introduction to the Content Areas in Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 248 | Family Life | 3 |
| FSHD 304 | Research Methods for Studying Families and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 315 | Community Engagement | 3 |
| FSHD 418 | Working with Diverse Families and Children | 3 |
| FSHD 445 | Poverty and Families | 3 |
| FSHD 214 | Child Development I | 3 |
| FSHD 314 | Child Development II: Adolescence | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| 9 |
| 33 |
| Total Credits | 69 |
Major Electives
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| FSHD 100 | Professional Development in the Field of Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 140 | Family in Society | 3 |
| FSHD 141 | Interpersonal Relations | 3 |
| FSHD 201 | Social Gerontology: The Study of Aging | 3 |
| FSHD 202 | Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| FSHD 205 | Women in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| FSHD 210 | Essential Skills for Human Services | 3 |
| FSHD 215 | Infant Development | 3 |
| FSHD 216 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| FSHD 217 | Family Stress and Coping | 3 |
| FSHD 225 | Exploring Family Diversity | 3 |
| FSHD 230 | Dynamics of One-To-One Communication | 3 |
| FSHD 231 | The Family in the Economic System | 3 |
| FSHD 240 | Volunteer in the Community | 3 |
| FSHD 241 | Group Dynamics | 3 |
| FSHD 270 | Individual and Professional Development in Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 275 | Comparative Studies of Global Families | 3 |
| FSHD 300 | Field Trip Experiences in Family Science and Human Development | 1 |
| FSHD 305 | Death and Bereavement in the Family | 3 |
| FSHD 308 | Independent Study | 1 |
| FSHD 310 | Teaching Daily Living Skills to Special Needs Populations | 3 |
| FSHD 313 | Organization and Management of Child Care Centers | 3 |
| FSHD 317 | Fieldwork Experience in Family Science and Human Development: The Hospitalized Child | 3 |
| FSHD 318 | Gender Development Across the Life Course | 3 |
| FSHD 320 | Parenting Skills and Resources | 3 |
| FSHD 322 | Play Techniques in Working with Children | 3 |
| FSHD 328 | Peer Counseling | 3 |
| FSHD 329 | Theories and Techniques of Group Processes | 3 |
| FSHD 331 | Money Management | 3 |
| FSHD 332 | Action Approaches to Personal Awareness | 3 |
| FSHD 340 | Aging and Social Policy | 3 |
| FSHD 342 | Family Sociology | 3 |
| FSHD 344 | Challenge of Aging | 3 |
| FSHD 345 | Gender in a Changing World | 3 |
| FSHD 350 | Immigrant Families | 3 |
| FSHD 360 | Families in Later Life | 3 |
| FSHD 370 | Mastering Mental Toughness and Managing Anxiety | 3 |
| FSHD 400 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| FSHD 401 | Advanced Research Methods in Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 408 | Workshop in Family Science and Human Development | 1-3 |
| FSHD 409 | Internship | 6-12 |
| FSHD 411 | Sibling Relationships | 3 |
| FSHD 415 | Child in the Community | 3 |
| FSHD 419 | Crisis Intervention Strategies | 3 |
| FSHD 430 | Evidence-Based Family Policy and Analysis | 3 |
| FSHD 448 | Family Counseling | 3 |
| FSHD 470 | Family Management | 3 |
Additional Coursework
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| ECEL 200 | Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Democracy | 3 |
| ECEL 209 | Promoting Infant Toddler Social Emotional Well-being in Educational Settings | 3 |
| ECEL 210 | Supervised Field Work in Infant and Toddler Educational Settings | 3 |
| ECEL 216 | Arts and Creative Expression in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECEL 219 | Language and Literature for Young Children | 3 |
| ECEL 279 | Foundation and Philosophy of Inclusive Education | 3 |
| ECEL 365 | Independent Study in Early Childhood and Elementary Education | 1-3 |
| ECEL 375 | Special Topics in Early Childhood and Elementary Education | 1-3 |
| ECEL 408 | Social Studies and the Arts in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| ECEL 410 | Clinical Practice I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms | 2-3 |
| ECEL 411 | Clinical Experience I: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms | 2 |
| ECEL 412 | Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms | 1 |
| ECEL 414 | Clinical Practice II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms | 9 |
| ECEL 415 | Clinical Experience II: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms | 8 |
| ECEL 417 | Problem Solving in Science, Math, and Technology in Early Childhood Classrooms | 3 |
| ECEL 418 | Social and Cultural Context of Families and Communities | 3 |
| ECEL 419 | Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms | 1 |
| ECEL 420 | Building Programs and Community in Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms | 3 |
| ECEL 421 | Seminar II: Inclusive Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| ECEL 422 | Integrating Elementary Curriculum and Assessment for Equity and Diversity | 3 |
| ECEL 424 | In-Service Supervised Student Teaching | 9 |
| ECEL 427 | Explorations: Science, Math, and Technology in the Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
| ECEL 435 | Content Integration and Assessment in Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms | 3 |
| EDFD 176 | The Italian American Experience: On the Margins or in the Mainstream? | 3 |
| EDFD 200 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDFD 210 | Public Purposes of Education: Democracy and Schooling | 3 |
| EDFD 220 | Philosophical Orientation to Education | 3 |
| EDFD 221 | Historical Foundations of American Education | 3 |
| EDFD 264 | Gender Issues in Education | 3 |
| EDFD 305 | Teaching for Equity Diversity | 3 |
| EDFD 312 | Educating English Language Learners | 1 |
| EDFD 449 | Current Issues in American Education | 3 |
| FSHD 100 | Professional Development in the Field of Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 140 | Family in Society | 3 |
| FSHD 141 | Interpersonal Relations | 3 |
| FSHD 201 | Social Gerontology: The Study of Aging | 3 |
| FSHD 202 | Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| FSHD 205 | Women in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| FSHD 210 | Essential Skills for Human Services | 3 |
| FSHD 215 | Infant Development | 3 |
| FSHD 216 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| FSHD 217 | Family Stress and Coping | 3 |
| FSHD 225 | Exploring Family Diversity | 3 |
| FSHD 230 | Dynamics of One-To-One Communication | 3 |
| FSHD 231 | The Family in the Economic System | 3 |
| FSHD 240 | Volunteer in the Community | 3 |
| FSHD 241 | Group Dynamics | 3 |
| FSHD 270 | Individual and Professional Development in Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 275 | Comparative Studies of Global Families | 3 |
| FSHD 300 | Field Trip Experiences in Family Science and Human Development | 1 |
| FSHD 305 | Death and Bereavement in the Family | 3 |
| FSHD 308 | Independent Study | 1 |
| FSHD 310 | Teaching Daily Living Skills to Special Needs Populations | 3 |
| FSHD 313 | Organization and Management of Child Care Centers | 3 |
| FSHD 315 | Community Engagement | 3 |
| FSHD 316 | Service-Learning Experiences with Families and Children | 3 |
| FSHD 317 | Fieldwork Experience in Family Science and Human Development: The Hospitalized Child | 3 |
| FSHD 318 | Gender Development Across the Life Course | 3 |
| FSHD 320 | Parenting Skills and Resources | 3 |
| FSHD 322 | Play Techniques in Working with Children | 3 |
| FSHD 328 | Peer Counseling | 3 |
| FSHD 329 | Theories and Techniques of Group Processes | 3 |
| FSHD 331 | Money Management | 3 |
| FSHD 332 | Action Approaches to Personal Awareness | 3 |
| FSHD 340 | Aging and Social Policy | 3 |
| FSHD 342 | Family Sociology | 3 |
| FSHD 344 | Challenge of Aging | 3 |
| FSHD 345 | Gender in a Changing World | 3 |
| FSHD 350 | Immigrant Families | 3 |
| FSHD 360 | Families in Later Life | 3 |
| FSHD 370 | Mastering Mental Toughness and Managing Anxiety | 3 |
| FSHD 400 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| FSHD 401 | Advanced Research Methods in Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 408 | Workshop in Family Science and Human Development | 1-3 |
| FSHD 409 | Internship | 6-12 |
| FSHD 411 | Sibling Relationships | 3 |
| FSHD 415 | Child in the Community | 3 |
| FSHD 419 | Crisis Intervention Strategies | 3 |
| FSHD 430 | Evidence-Based Family Policy and Analysis | 3 |
| FSHD 448 | Family Counseling | 3 |
| FSHD 470 | Family Management | 3 |
| READ 100 | College Learning and Thinking Skills | 3 |
| READ 209 | Children's Literature for a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| READ 210 | Public Purposes of Education: Democracy and Schooling | 3 |
| READ 305 | Teaching for Equity Diversity | 3 |
| READ 312 | Educating English Language Learners | 1 |
| READ 399 | Early Literacy Development and Instruction | 3 |
| READ 408 | Literacy in the Elementary Grades | 3 |
| READ 411 | Language and Literacy | 3 |
| SPED 279 | Foundation and Philosophy of Inclusive Education | 3 |
| SPED 367 | Language-Based Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| SPED 468 | Content Area Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| SPED 469 | Inclusive Methods for Middle and Secondary Schools | 3 |
| SPED 488 | Promoting Prosocial Behaviors in Inclusive Settings | 3 |
General Education Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| 1 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 4 |
| 1 |
| Introduction to Psychology (Fulfilled in the major.) | |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 39 |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| 3-6 |
| Poverty and Families (Fulfilled in the major.) | |
| Total Credits | 3-6 |
Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion
This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years. This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.
| First Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| WRIT 105 | 3 | WRIT 106 | 3 |
| CSIT 100 | 3 | World Language 1 | 3 |
| CMST 101 | 3 | FSHD Major Elective | 3 |
| GNED 199 | 1 | PSYC 101 | 3 |
| FSHD 101 | 3 | BIOL 100 or 110 | 4 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (D) Fine and Performing Arts | 3 | |
| | 16 | | 16 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| FSHD 214 | 3 | FSHD 314 | 3 |
| World Language 2 | 3 | FSHD Major Elective | 3 |
| ECEL 200 | 3 | EDFD 220 | 3 |
| EDFD 221 | 3 | FSHD 315 | 3 |
| FSHD 248 | 3 | MTHM 201 | 3 |
| | 15 | | 15 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| GENERAL EDUCATION (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives | 3 | FSHD 445 | 3 |
| FSHD 304 | 3 | FSHD 418 | 3 |
| MTHM 302 | 3 | FSHD Major Elective | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences | 3 | Additional Coursework | 3 |
| Additional Coursework | 3 | Additional Coursework | 3 |
| | 15 | | 15 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
|---|
| Additional Coursework | 3 | Additional Coursework | 3 |
| Additional Coursework | 3 | Additional Coursework | 3 |
| Additional Coursework | 3 | Additional Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective or Additional Coursework | 3 | Additional Coursework | 3 |
| Free Elective or Additional Coursework | 3 | |
| GENERAL EDUCATION (J) Physical Education | 1 | |
| | 16 | | 12 |
| Total Credits 120 |