The Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Science and Human Development prepares students for careers working with youth and families in various settings. A major in Family Science and Human Development may be for you if you answer yes to any of the following questions:
- Are you curious about the way children and adults grow and develop?
- Have you wondered about how environmental and social factors affect physical, cognitive, and emotional development?
- Are you interested in learning more about specific stages of human development such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, and aging?
- Would you like to work with hospitalized children to help reduce the stress of medical treatment on them and their families?
- Have you ever thought about a career in family counseling, working with youth in various settings, working with older adults, or teaching at the preschool or elementary grades level?
Graduates from the program work in a variety of human service settings. These include family and community services; youth service organizations; health care settings; juvenile and adult corrections; family courts system; long term care facilities; and early childhood, elementary, and parent education programs. This degree also provides students with the educational background they need to pursue graduate study in a variety of areas.
The Families, Children and School Settings concentration prepares students to work in a variety of educational settings. It allows students to pursue certification for teaching in schools at the P-3 or K-6 level.
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Program Requirements Overview
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 39 | |
| World Languages and Cultures Requirements | 3-6 | |
| Major Requirements | 69 | |
| Free Electives | 9-6 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Family Science and Human Development Core | ||
| FSHD 200 | Introduction to the Content Areas in Family Science and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 304 | Research Methods for Studying Families and Human Development | 3 |
| FSHD 315 | Field Experiences in Family and Human Services | 3 |
| FSHD 348 | Individual and Family Development Over the Life Course | 3 |
| FSHD 418 | Working with Diverse Families and Children | 3 |
| FSHD 445 | Poverty and Families | 3 |
| Developmental Core | ||
| FSHD 214 | Child Development I | 3 |
| FSHD 314 | Child Development II: Adolescence | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits of Major Electives | 9 | |
| Additional Coursework | ||
| Select 33 credits of the Additional Coursework with advisement | 33 | |
| Total Credits | 69 | |
Major Electives
| 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
| 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 | 1-3 |
| ECEL 411 | Clinical Experience I: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms | 2 |
| ECEL 412 | Seminar I: Inclusive Elementary Classrooms | 1 |
| ECEL 413 | Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood 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 | Field Experiences in Family and Human Services | 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A. New Student Seminar | ||
| Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course. | 1 | |
| C. Communication | ||
| 1. Writing | 3 | |
| 2. Literature | 3 | |
| 3. Communication | 3 | |
| D. Fine and Performing Arts | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Fine and Performing Arts course. | 3 | |
| F. Humanities | ||
| 1. Great Works and Their Influences | 3 | |
| 2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
| G. Computer Science | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course. | 3 | |
| H. Mathematics | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Mathematics course. | 3 | |
| I. Natural Science Laboratory | ||
| Complete a 4 credit Natural Science Laboratory course. | 4 | |
| J. Physical Education | ||
| Complete a 1 credit Physical Education course. | 1 | |
| K. Social Science | ||
| 1. American and European History | 3 | |
| 2. Global Cultural Perspectives | 3 | |
| 3. Social Science Perspectives | ||
| Introduction to Psychology (Fulfilled in the major.) | ||
| L. Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Interdisciplinary Studies course. | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| World Languages | ||
| Based on placement exam complete one or two sequential courses in one language. | 3-6 | |
| World Cultures | ||
| 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 200 | 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 348 | 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 | |||