Administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science.
Total credits required: 120. The human development and family studies curriculum prepare graduates to pursue careers in helping professions with employment opportunities in government, non-profit, and private agencies, as well as continue on to graduate studies programs.
Student Learning Outcomes
The following set of learning goals was established for the bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). Upon completion of the undergraduate degree in HDFS, students will:
Learning Objective 1: Lifespan Developmental Understanding: Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of human development and families across the lifespan.
Learning Objective 2: Applied Research and Practice: Students will learn to apply research findings in their work with individuals and families, enhancing their ability to understand and address real-world challenges in the field.
Learning Objective 3: Promotion of Well-Being and Resilience: Students will learn strategies to promote and support well-being and resilience in diverse contexts, such as mental health, relationships, and personal development.
Learning Objective 4: Professionalism, Ethics, and Cultural Responsiveness: Students will develop skills for successful professional practice, ethical decision-making, and cultural responsiveness in the field.
A minor in human development and family studies is available; see requirements under Human Development and Family Studies, Undergraduate Minor.
Human Development and Family studies
Human Development and Family Studies Core: 33-34 credits
| HDFS 1020 | Human Development | 3 |
| HDFS 1100 | Freshman Learning Community Orientation | 1 |
| or HDFS 1110 | New Transfer Student Seminar | |
| HDFS 2200 | Introduction to Professional Practice | 3 |
| Select one Individual Development course from: | 3 | |
| Child Development | ||
| Middle Childhood and Adolescence | ||
| Young Adulthood Through Later Life | ||
| HDFS 2490 | Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 3690 | Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 3860 | Human Services Management I | 3 |
| HDFS 3870 | Trauma-Informed Practice | 3 |
| HDFS 4200 | Advanced Professional Practice | 3 |
| HDFS 4910 | Internship | 8-9 |
| Total Credits | 33-34 | |
Supporting Courses in HDFS
| Select 27 credits from: | 27 | |
| Consumer Issues | ||
| Child Development Practicum | ||
| Children’s Literature | ||
| Family Communications and Relationships | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Personal Finance | ||
| Field Experiences: Human Development and Family Studies | ||
| Happiness Across the Lifespan | ||
| Income Tax Planning | ||
| Social-Emotional Development and Guidance | ||
| Programming for Children in Early Care and Education | ||
| Inclusive Teaching and Interaction Strategies | ||
| Family Stress, Abuse, and Resilience | ||
| Death as a Part of Living | ||
| Aging and the Family | ||
| Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits | ||
| Children, Families, and Public Policy | ||
| Family Partnerships in Early Childhood | ||
| Families Through a Social and Cultural Lens | ||
| Human Services Management II | ||
| Independent Study: Human Development and Family Studies | ||
| Additional courses not used in the “Individual Development” section can also be used as Supporting Courses. | ||
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Communications and Library: 10 credits
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Communication and U.S. Diversity | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Communication and Conflict Management | ||
| Family Communications and Relationships | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Natural Sciences and Mathematical Disciplines: 9 credits
| STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Select two courses (6 credits) from the HDFS approved list of Science and Math courses | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Social Sciences: 9 credits
Select from HDFS list of approved social sciences courses.
Humanities: 6 credits
| Select one course from: | 3 | |
| Moral Theory and Practice | ||
| Ethical Issues in a Diverse Society | ||
| Select one additional course (3 credits) from the HDFS approved Humanities list | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives: 26 credits
Elective course options may include additional HDFS courses.
Total credits: 120 credits
U.S. Cultures and Communities Requirement: Students fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities Requirement by choosing three credits of coursework from each of the university-approved lists.
THE COURSES LISTED IN THIS SECTION ARE APPROVED GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE OPTIONS FOR THIS MAJOR.
Social Sciences: 9 credits. Coursework designed to help students develop an understanding of the principal methods of studying human behavior and an understanding of the structure and functioning of institutions.
| AESHM 4210 | Developing Global Leadership: Maximizing Human Potential | 3 |
| AFAM 3300 | Ethnic and Race Relations | 3 |
| FDM 1650 | Fashion, Appearance, and Diversity in U.S. Society | 3 |
| FDM 3620 | Cultural Perspectives of Global Dress | 3 |
| FDM 4670 | Consumer Studies in Apparel and Fashion Products | 3 |
| AMIN 3100 | Contemporary Topics in American Indian Studies | 3 |
| AMIN 3150 | Archaeology of North America | 3 |
| AMIN 3220 | Peoples and Cultures of Native North America | 3 |
| Anthropology (ANTHR) - except 2020 | ||
| Economics (ECON) | ||
| FSHN 3420 | World Food Issues: Past and Present | 3 |
| INTST 2350 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
| LING 2190 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LING 4710 | Language and Reading Development in Children | 3 |
| Political Science (POLS) | ||
| Psychology (PSYCH) - except 131 | ||
| Sociology (SOC), including Criminal Justice (CJ) | ||
| WGS 2010 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS 2030 | Introduction to Lesbian Communities | 3 |
| WGS 3010 | International Perspectives on Women and Gender | 3 |
| ENVS 3200 | Ecofeminism | 3 |
| WGS 3270 | Gender and Sexualities in Society | 3 |
| WGS 3280 | Sociology of Masculinities and Manhood | 3 |
| WGS 3460 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| AFAM 3500 | Women of Color in the U.S | 3 |
| WGS 3850 | Women in Politics | 3 |
Humanities: 6 credits. Coursework designed to assist students to develop an understanding of human cultural heritage and history, and an appreciation of reasoning and the aesthetic value of human creativity.
| AESHM 3420 | Aesthetics of Consumer Experience | 3 |
| AFAM 2010 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 |
| AFAM 3340 | Africana Religions | 3 |
| AFAM 3470 | African American Literature | 3 |
| AFAM 3530 | History of African Americans I | 3 |
| AFAM 3540 | History of African Americans II | 3 |
| FDM 3540 | Fashion History I: Prehistoric to Mid-19th Century | 3 |
| FDM 3560 | Fashion History II: Mid-19th Century to the Present | 3 |
| AMIN 2100 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | 3 |
| AMIN 2400 | Introduction to American Indian Literature | 3 |
| AMIN 3460 | American Indian Literature | 3 |
| ARCH 2210 | Histories and Theories of Architecture to 1750 | 3 |
| ARCH 4200 | Topics in American Architecture | 3 |
| Art History (ARTH) | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) | ||
| Classical Studies (CLST) | ||
| DANCE 2700 | Dance Appreciation | 3 |
| DANCE 3600 | History and Philosophy of Dance | 3 |
| DSNS 1830 | Design in Context | 3 |
| ENGL 2010 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2250 | Survey of British Literature to 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL 2260 | Survey of British Literature since 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL 2270 | Survey of American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 2280 | Survey of American Literature since 1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 2370 | Survey of Film History | 3 |
| ENGL 2400 | Introduction to American Indian Literature | 3 |
| History (HIST) | ||
| HSPM 2600 | Global Tourism Management | 3 |
| MUSIC 1020 | Introduction to Music Listening | 3 |
| MUSIC 3020 | Masterpieces of Music and Art in Western Culture | 3 |
| MUSIC 3040 | History of American Rock 'n' Roll | 3 |
| MUSIC 3830 | History of Music I | 3 |
| MUSIC 3840 | History of Music II | 3 |
| Philosophy (PHIL) | ||
| Religious Studies (RELIG) | ||
| THTRE 1060 | Introduction to the Performing Arts | 3 |
| THTRE 1100 | Theatre and Society | 3 |
| THTRE 4650 | Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century | 3 |
| THTRE 4660 | Theatre History: 19th Century to Present | 3 |
| WGS 2010 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS 3360 | Religion, Sex and Gender | 3 |
| WGS 3380 | Feminist Philosophy | 3 |
| WGS 3450 | Women's Literature | 3 |
| WGS 3700F | Studies in English Translation: French Topics on Women and Gender Studies | 3 |
| or WGS 3700G | Studies in English Translation: German Topics on Women or Feminism | |
| or WGS 3700R | Studies in English Translation: Russian Topics on Women or Feminism | |
| or WGS 3700S | Studies in English Translation: Hispanic Topics on Women or Feminism | |
| WGS 3740 | Sex, Gender, and Culture in the Ancient Mediterranean World | 3 |
| World Languages and Cultures (ARABC, CHIN, FRNCH, GER, GREEK, RUS, SPAN) | ||
Human Development and Family Studies, B.S.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 1020 | 3 | HDFS 2490 | 3 |
| HDFS 1100 or 1110 | 1 | HDFS Individual Development Course | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | Gen Ed: Science Course | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | Gen Ed: Social Sciences Course | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Social Sciences Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Humanities Course | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 2200 | 3 | Gen Ed: Communications Course | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | Gen Ed: Science Course | 3 |
| STAT 1040 | 3 | PHIL 2300 or PHIL 2350 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Social Science Course | 3 | HDFS Supporting Courses | 6 |
| HDFS Supporting Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 3690 | 3 | HDFS Supporting Courses | 6 |
| HDFS 3860 | 3 | Electives | 9 |
| HDFS Supporting Courses | 6 | ||
| Electives | 4 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 3870 | 3 | HDFS 4910 | 8 |
| HDFS 4200 | 3 | Electives | 6 |
| HDFS Supporting Courses | 6 | ||
| Electives | 4 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
- *
Total number of electives will vary. A minimum of 120 credits are required to graduate.
- *
See the list of HDFS General Education approved courses.
- *
ISU requires 3 credits of U.S. Cultures & Communications coursework and 3 credits of International Perspectives coursework.
- *
This sequence is only an example. The number of credits taken each semester should be based on the individual student’s situation. Student ability, employment, health, activities, and grade point considerations affect credit hours per semester.
- *
Study Abroad opportunities are available in fall, spring, and summer. Advance planning is critical to avoid adding an additional semester to the graduation plan. Be sure to talk to an adviser if you plan to study abroad.
The Human Development and Family Studies minor can be earned by successfully completing the following for a total of 18 credits. All minors consist of at least 3 credits taken at Iowa State. All minors must have 9 credits in courses 2000 or above, of which at least 6 credits are in courses numbered 3000 or above. The minor must include at least 3 credits not being used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.
| HDFS 1020 | Human Development | 3 |
| HDFS 2490 | Family Studies | 3 |
| Four of the following: | 12 | |
| Child Development | ||
| Middle Childhood and Adolescence | ||
| Young Adulthood Through Later Life | ||
| Family Communications and Relationships | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Field Experiences: Human Development and Family Studies | ||
| Happiness Across the Lifespan | ||
| Family Stress, Abuse, and Resilience | ||
| Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies | ||
| Death as a Part of Living | ||
| Aging and the Family | ||
| Human Services Management I | ||
| Trauma-Informed Practice | ||
| Children, Families, and Public Policy | ||
| Families Through a Social and Cultural Lens | ||
| Human Services Management II | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
More information on the variety of graduate programs offered through the Department of Human Development and Family Studies can be found here: https://hdfs.hs.iastate.edu/graduate-students/graduate-programs/.