COURSE CURRICULUM

The Human Development and Family Studies major requires students to complete 51 units of coursework that focus on understanding human development, family relationships, and social issues affecting families and communities. The curriculum combines foundational knowledge in family studies, research methods, and social sciences with advanced coursework that explores family dynamics, development across the lifespan, and professional practice in human service fields.The program begins with 21 units of required core courses that introduce key concepts related to families, social issues, and research. Students take courses such as The Family and Social Issues, which examines contemporary family structures and challenges within society, and Introduction to Nutrition, which explores the role of nutrition in health and family well-being. Students also complete a course in research or statistics, such as Sense and Nonsense in Social Issues and Research or Introduction to Statistics, to develop skills in understanding and evaluating social science research. Additional core courses include Research Methods, which teaches students how to design and conduct research studies, Family Resource Management, which focuses on managing family resources effectively, and Family Finance, which examines financial decision-making within families. The core curriculum concludes with a Senior Seminar that integrates knowledge gained throughout the program and prepares students for professional practice or further study.Students must also complete a lower-division course, The Child in the Family, which explores the role of children within family systems and examines early development within a family context. This course provides a foundation for understanding child development and family relationships.The program also requires 24 units of upper-division coursework that focus on advanced topics in human development and family studies. Students study Family Communication to understand how communication patterns influence family relationships. Family Stress and Coping examines how families respond to challenges and adapt to life changes within diverse cultural contexts. Courses such as Adolescent Development and Adulthood and Aging in Human Development explore developmental changes across different stages of life. Other courses focus on Issues in Parenting, Family Life Education, and Family Support Services, which prepare students to work with families in educational, community, and social service settings. Students must also complete a course related to human sexuality, such as Understanding Human Sexuality, Human Sexuality in nursing, or Psychology of Human Sexuality.In addition, students select an elective course that allows them to explore specialized topics such as infant and toddler development, nutrition education, cultural aspects of food, clothing and society, or practical training through internships or practicum experiences. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience and apply their knowledge in real-world settings.Along with the major requirements, students must complete 43 units of general education courses designed to develop communication skills, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and knowledge of the arts, humanities, and sciences. This combination of major coursework and general education ensures that graduates are well prepared for careers in human services, family education, and community support programs.