The Human Development Minor focuses on developmental change and processes in infants, children, adolescents and adults. You study psychological growth, cognitive development and complexity, emotional factors, and physical changes across the lifespan.

Through this minor, you gain subject matter expertise in developmental processes ranging from infancy through adulthood. In addition, you obtain practice in how to apply theoretical information to dynamic fields. The focus of instruction in the minor is on practical and applied content.

The minor can be substituted for the area of emphasis requirement for Liberal Studies majors. It also supports individuals interested in classroom teaching, preschool teaching, human services, social work, gerontology, geriatrics, probation and other related careers. In addition, the Human Development minor provides evidence of expertise for majors such as Psychology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Collaborative Health and Human Services, Biology, and others. In addition to your major, the minor in Human Development is a marketing tool for students, demonstrating skills in understanding human growth and development.

Required Courses 

There are two pathways for the Human Development minor: one tailored for students in the Liberal Studies Major, and one tailored for students in other majors. Please follow the information listed below that corresponds to your appropriate pathway.

Liberal Studies Majors Pathway

Complete HDEV 260: Introduction to Child Development or community college equivalent.

Complete three of the following:

  • HDEV 340: Close Relationships and Family Development
  • HDEV 342: Human Development, Technology and the Media
  • HDEV 353: Cross-Cultural Human Development
  • HDEV 355: Behavioral and Emotional Disorders of Childhood and Adolesence
  • HDEV 356: Infancy and Early Childhood
  • HDEV 365: Adolescence
  • HDEV 366: Observation and Assessment
  • HDEV 371: Adulthood & Aging
  • HDEV 380S: Service Learning Human Dev
  • HDEV 395: Special Topics

Complete one of the following:

all other majors Pathway

Complete one of the following:

  • HDEV 260: Introduction to Child Development
  • HDEV 351: Lifespan Development: Transition and Change
  • HDEV 360: Child Development

If you completed HDEV 360: Child Development or HDEV 351: Lifespan Development: Transition and Change, complete two of the following courses. If you completed HDEV 260: Introduction to Child Development, complete three of the following courses:

  • HDEV 340: Close Relationships and Family Development
  • HDEV 342: Human Development, Technology and the Media
  • HDEV 353: Cross-Cultural Human Development
  • HDEV 355: Behavioral and Emotional Disorders of Childhood and Adolesence
  • HDEV 356: Infancy and Early Childhood
  • HDEV 365: Adolescence
  • HDEV 366: Observation and Assessment
  • HDEV 371: Adulthood & Aging
  • HDEV 380S: Service Learning Human Dev
  • HDEV 395: Special Topics

Complete one of the following:

Learning Outcomes

Theories of Development

Students understand and utilize the major theories of human development and distinguish major psychological, cognitive, emotional, physical and environmental changes that take place over the lifespan.

Focused Developmental Application

Students refine theoretical understanding of developmental inquiry to a specific phase in the lifespan, and explore the influences of race, gender, ethnicity, culture, personal history and socioeconomics on individual development.

Situated Environments of Development

Students contextualize developmental issues within a cross-disciplinary and macro-level framework.