BS in Human Development and Family Science with Emphasis in Family and Lifespan Development
Degree Program Description
In the Family and Lifespan Development emphasis in HDFS, students become familiar with theory and research about families and individuals across the lifespan. Coursework focuses on bio-psycho-social development, family functioning, and interpersonal relationships in relevant settings such as at home, in child care, at school, and in the work place. Diversity is emphasized through examining multicultural families and diverse family structures and processes, and variations in individual development and relationships associated with such factors as gender, race, ethnicity, social class and health status. Opportunities are available for the practical application of theory and research in working with individuals, families, schools, and communities.
Major Program Requirements
Students may plan a program of study which will help prepare them for earning the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Consultation with the student’s academic advisor is recommended to determine the current requirements for this credential.
Field education sites require that students provide proof of health insurance, up-to-date immunizations, and student professional liability insurance. Students may also be required to pass mandatory drug screens, criminal background checks, and any other required qualification checks prior to beginning any field education experience in HDFS. Failure to provide appropriate documentation, or pass drug screens and criminal background checks prior to beginning these experiences may necessitate a change of major. The student is responsible for all costs incurred with these qualification checks.
Students must complete all university requirements, including general education, in addition to the degree requirements below. All students must earn a grade of C- or higher and a minimum 2.0 GPA overall in all HDFS courses taken to meet the HDFS degree requirements. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required to earn the degree.
| A. HDFS CORE I REQUIRED COURSES: | 18-22 | |
| H_D_FS 1600 | Foundations of Family Science 1 | 3 |
| H_D_FS 1610 | Intimate Relationships and Marriage | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2200 | Research Methods in Human Development and Family Science | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2300 | Multicultural Study of Children and Families | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2400W | Principles of Human Development - Writing Intensive | 3-4 |
| or H_D_FS 2400 | Principles of Human Development | |
| Select one of the following courses: | ||
| H_D_FS 3500 | Infant-Toddler Practicum | 6 |
| H_D_FS 3700 | Preschool Practicum | 6 |
| H_D_FS 3730 | Field Training Practicum | 3 |
| B. HDFS CORE II REQUIRED COURSES: | 6 | |
| Select two courses from the following: | ||
| H_D_FS 3050 | Child Development: Infancy and Toddlerhood | 3 |
| H_D_FS 3150W | Child Development: Preschool to Pre-Adolescence - Writing Intensive | 3 |
| H_D_FS 3430 | Adolescence and Young Adulthood | 3 |
| H_D_FS 3440 | Adulthood and Aging | 3 |
| C. HDFS CORE III REQUIRED COURSES: | 6 | |
| HDFS Upper-Level Diversity Requirement. Select two courses from the following: | ||
| H_D_FS 3650 | Diversity in the Lives of Young Children and Families | 3 |
| H_D_FS 4200 | Latino/a Children, Youth, and Families | 3 |
| H_D_FS 4300 | Black Children, Youth, and Families | 3 |
| H_D_FS 4610 | Stress and Resilience in Families | 3 |
| H_D_FS 4620 | Family Interaction | 3 |
| H_D_FS 4640 | Interpersonal Relationships | 3 |
| H_D_FS 4700 | Children and Families in Poverty | 3 |
| D. HDFS ELECTIVE COURSES: | 15 | |
| Select from HDFS courses not already used to satisfy CORE I, II, or III requirements. Consult with an HDFS academic advisor prior to enrolling in any HDFS Electives. [5 COURSES MINIMUM REQUIRED] | ||
| E. REQUIREMENTS IN RELATED AREAS: 2 | 6 | |
| COMMUN 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| PHIL 1100 | The Difference Between Right and Wrong: An Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| or PHIL 1150 | Introductory Bioethics | |
| or PHIL 2440 | Medical Ethics | |
| F. HDFS CAPSTONE REQUIRED COURSES: | 6 | |
| H_D_FS 4970W | Human Development and Family Science Capstone - Writing Intensive (REQUIRED) 3,4 | 3 |
| Select 1 course below, 3 credit hours minimum | ||
| H_D_FS 4090 | Advanced Research in Human Development and Family Science | 1-6 |
| H_D_FS 4993 | Internship in Human Development and Family Science 3 | 3-6 |
| G. ELECTIVE CREDITS - Can include any of the following: 5 | 39 | |
| • Additional HDFS courses not already used to satisfy CORE I, II, or III, or HDFS Elective requirements | ||
| • Minor, certificate, or elective courses from other departments | ||
- 1
H_D_FS 1600 should be taken before H_D_FS 2300 and any 3000/4000-level H_D_FS course.
- 2
These courses may be used to partially fulfill the General Education Humanities requirement.
- 3
Senior standing and instructor consent required.
- 4
Students who have previously met the upper-level Writing Intensive writing requirement, may elect to enroll in the non-WI H_D_FS 4970 course, when offered.
- 5
Consult with an HDFS academic advisor for approval of general elective course selections prior to enrolling.
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | COMMUN 1200 | 3 |
| Gen Ed BIO/PHYS/MATH Sci | 3 | Gen Ed BIO/PHYS/MATH Sci | 3-5 |
| Gen Ed BEH/SOC Sci | 3 | Gen Ed MATH | 3 |
| H_D_FS 1600 | 3 | H_D_FS 2400W1 * | 4 |
| H_D_FS 1610* | 3 | PHIL 11002 | 3 |
| 15 | 16-18 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 | AMERICAN HIST or GOVT3 | 3 |
| Gen Ed BIO/PHYS/MATH Sci | 2-3 | ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2200 | 3 | Gen Ed HUMANITIES | 3 |
| H_D_FS 2300 | 3 | HDFS CORE II | 3 |
| HDFS CORE II | 3 | HDFS ELECTIVE | 3 |
| 14-15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 | ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 | ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 |
| HDFS ELECTIVE | 3 | ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 |
| H_D_FS 3500, 3700, or 3730 | 3-6 | HDFS CORE III | 3 |
| HDFS CORE III | 3 | HDFS ELECTIVE | 3 |
| 15-18 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 | ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 | ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 | ELECTIVE COURSE | 3 |
| HDFS ELECTIVE | 3 | H_D_FS 4970 or 4970W4 | 3 |
| H_D_FS 4090 or 4993 | 3-6 | H D FS ELECTIVE | 3 |
| 15-18 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-129 | |||
- *
These courses fulfill both HDFS major requirements and 6 of 9 General Education SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL science credit requirements.
- 1
H_D_FS 2400 (3 cr.) (non-WI) may be taken if student has already met the lower-level Writing Intensive requirement.
- 2
The ETHICS requirement in HDFS may also be satisfied with PHIL 1150 or PHIL 2440.
- 3
See University General Education webpage for a list of courses that meet the AMERICAN HISTORY or GOVERNMENT requirement.
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.