Human Development and Family Studies: Family and Community Services Emphasis - BA, BS

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Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

About This Degree

Graduates are prepared for professions assisting individuals across the lifespan: early childhood care and education, community education, financial counseling/coaching, mental health, research, and human service settings.

Family and Community Services Emphasis: In this research-guided emphasis, students learn to work with families across the lifespan. They develop strong skills in family life education, ethics, professionalism, and program development.

For more information about Human Development and Family Studies, see the website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) or STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) or STAT 1080 - Foundations of Data Science (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing, Completion of at least 24 semester credits (including HDFS 1500 , HDFS 2000 , HDFS 2400 , and STAT 1040 or STAT 1045 or STAT 1080 ). New freshmen must have an overall GPA of 2.0 (an overall 2.0 GPA is required to move from the pre-major to full major, and for graduation as well)
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.0 GPA. A grade of C or better is required in all major coursework including the pre-major courses and respective statistics courses

Major Requirements

This major requires an overall 2.0 GPA to be admitted into the major, as well as for graduation.
A grade of C or better is required in all major coursework, including the pre-major courses and the respective required statistics courses. Courses may not be taken pass/fail.
The Family and Community Services emphasis is available online and throughout the state of Utah.

HDFS Pre-Major Courses (10-12 credits)

HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (BSS) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 2000 - Careers in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) 1 credit(s)
HDFS 2400 - Couple and Family Relationships (BSS) 3 credit(s)
STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) 3 credit(s) or
STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) 5 credit(s) or
STAT 1080 - Foundations of Data Science (QL) 3 credit(s)

HDFS Core Courses (27 credits)

PSY 3010 - Psychological Statistics (QI) 3 credit(s) or
SOC 3120 - Social Statistics I (QI) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 2660 - Parenting and Child Guidance (HR) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3100 - Abuse and Neglect in Family Context 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3110 - Human Sexuality 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3130 - Research Methods (QI) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3210 - Families and Cultural Diversity (CI) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3350 - Family Finance (DSS) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4900 - Pre-Practicum and Professional Development (CI) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4980 - Practicum in Human Development and Family Studies 1-12 credit(s) (enroll in 3 credits) (Minimum of 3 credits required)

Family and Community Services Emphasis (12 credits)

Family Relations Course Options

Select THREE Family Relations courses:

HDFS 4220 - Family Crises and Interventions 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4230 - Family and Social Policy 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4250 - Addictions and the Family 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4260 - Family Life Education Methods 3 credit(s)

Human Development Course Options

Select ONE Human Development course:

HDFS 3500 - Infancy and Childhood 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3570 - Youth and Adolescence 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3540 - Adult Development and Aging 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4550 - Preschool Methods and Curriculum 3 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map

Human Development and Family Studies: Family and Community Services Emphasis BA, BS - 4 Year Degree Map