The Human Development & Family Studies major focuses on human development from infancy through old age. Students will examine how family and community dynamics affect the development of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences. Through fieldwork, program evaluation, and service learning, students become prepared to work with children, youth, families, and elders in education or social service programs.

To learn more about the major, visit the Liberal Studies Department.

Required Courses

Special Requirements

AA-T and AS-T-certified students can earn a Human Development & Family Studies B.A. by completing the special requirements in the following programs:

All other HDFS majors, see below:

Standard Requirements

> In order to graduate, you will also need to complete your general education and university requirements.

Complete all of the following core courses:

Complete nine (9) units total from the Phase-specific coursework in List A and List B:

List A

List B

Complete a minimum of six (6) units from the following Development in Context coursework:

Complete a minimum of six (6) units from the following Family Studies coursework:

Complete a minimum of four (4) units from the following Interdisciplinary Health Science coursework:

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students acquire content knowledge in the field of HDFS.
  2. Students describe the diversity of human development and families.
  3. Students integrate their knowledge of and thinking critically about human development and families in real-world situations.
  4. Students develop and practice professional skills for careers in HDFS.

Course Pathways

Freshman Pathway

This pathway is one example of how you might complete all the requirements for your degree in an order that makes sense given prerequisites. It is meant to give you a general sense of what your education will look like. Your own unique situation and a number of other factors may mean your actual pathway is different. Perhaps you'll need an extra math or language class, or one of the courses we've listed isn't offered in a particular semester. Not to worry - there is flexibility built into the curriculum.

You'll want to work closely with an advisor and use the academic advisement report to take all that into account and develop a pathway that's customized for you. In the meantime, use this example as a starting point for choosing classes or discussing your plans with an advisor.

Your advisor is your best resource when it comes to figuring out how to fit all the courses you need, in the right sequence, into your personal academic plan.

Fall Freshman

Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Language 102
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Elective
Units: 2
Requirements:

Spring Freshman

Course: Language 201
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Language Proficiency
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:

Fall Sophomore

Units: 6
Requirements:
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:

Spring Sophomore

Course: Elective
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:

Fall Junior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units:
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Any approved upper divisiond GE course
Units: 3
Requirements:
Course: Elective
Units: 3
Requirements:

Spring Junior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Elective
Units: 3
Requirements:

Fall Senior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 1
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: PA 432
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Elective
Units: 3
Requirements:

Spring Senior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Elective
Units: 6
Requirements:

Transfer Pathway

This pathway is one example of how you might complete all the requirements for your degree in an order that makes sense given prerequisites. It is meant to give you a general sense of what your education will look like. Your own unique situation and a number of other factors may mean your actual pathway is different. Perhaps you'll need an extra math or language class, or one of the courses we've listed isn't offered in a particular semester. Not to worry, there is flexibility built into the curriculum.

You'll want to work closely with an advisor and use the academic advisement report to take all that into account and develop a pathway that's customized for you. In the meantime, use this example as a starting point for choosing classes or discussing your plans with an advisor.

Your advisor is your best resource when it comes to figuring out how to fit all the courses you need, in the right sequence, into your personal academic plan.

Fall Junior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Language 102
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any approved upper division ourse
Units: 4
Requirements:

Spring Junior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Language 201
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Language Proficiency

Fall Senior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 1
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • D4
  • Major
Units: 1
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: PA 432
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Elective
Units: 4
Requirements:

Spring Senior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Elective
Units: 3
Requirements: