COURSE CURRICULUM

The Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) major at UNH provides a structured, interdisciplinary curriculum focused on understanding human development, family systems, and interpersonal relationships across the lifespan. All students begin with a shared core of foundational courses, including Human Development, Intimate Relationships and Families, and Research Methods in HDFS, which build essential knowledge in developmental theory, family dynamics, and social science research skills. After completing the core, students select one of three specialized tracks—Child Development, Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure, or Family and Lifespan Development—allowing them to tailor their studies to specific career goals. In the Child Development option, students take advanced courses such as Infant and Child Development, Youth Facing Adversity, Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings, and Observation and Assessment of Young Children, which emphasize both theory and applied practice. Students also complete elective coursework focused on development in context, choosing from areas such as parenting, curriculum design, child life, family law, and learning through play, enabling a deeper understanding of children’s experiences in different environments. Supporting coursework further broadens academic preparation and may include related disciplines like psychology, sociology, education, social work, or communication sciences, provided they are advisor-approved and at the appropriate level. Many students fulfill this requirement through a community-based internship, gaining hands-on experience in real-world settings. In the senior year, all students complete a capstone course, Families, Schools, and Community, which integrates their academic learning with applied understanding of human development in social contexts. Overall, the program emphasizes both academic rigor and practical experience, preparing graduates for careers in childcare, education, family services, and human development-related fields, as well as for graduate study in psychology, social work, education, and related disciplines.