HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES

DESCRIPTION OF DEGREE

The Human Development and Family Studies major focuses on human development and relationships within a variety of familial and community contexts.  The program has a lifespan perspective in that development is studied from birth to death.  This program is an excellent spring board to pursue a master’s degree in counseling/family therapy, or graduates can pursue a wide variety of human service positions.  Understanding and working with people is the signature of this major…it truly is a helping profession. 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

General Education 

ENGL 101 Composition I

ENGL 201 Composition II

SPCM 101 Fundamentals of Speech

ECON 201 Microeconomics OR ECON 202 Macroeconomics OR POLS 100 Political Science

Humanities and Arts/Diversity (6 cr)

Mathematics (3 cr)

BIOL 101/101L Biology Survey I

Natural Sciences (3 cr)

ENGL 379 Technical Communications

SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology

Land & Natural Resources (3 cr)

Personal Wellness (2-3 cr)

PSYC 101 General Psychology

CORE 

FCS 101 Professional Foundations

HDFS 141 Individuals and the Family

HDFS 150/150L Early Experience and Lab

HDFS/ECE 227 Human Development and Personality I: Childhood

HDFS 241 Family Relations

HDFS 250 The Development of Human Sexuality

HDFS 337 Human Development and Personality II: Adolescence

HDFS 347 Human Development and Personality III: Adulthood

FCSE 421 Experience in Adult Education

HDFS 341 Family Theories

HDFS 272 The Helping Relationship

HDFS 310 Parenting

HDFS 355 Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation

HDFS 364 Parent-Child Relations in a Professional Context

SOC 400 Social Policy

CA 442 Family Resource Management

HDFS 441 Professional Issues in Child and Family Studies

HDFS 495 Practicum

STAT 281 Introduction to Statistics OR SOC 308 Research Methods II

Electives/Emphasis Area (6–8 cr)

Total required credits:  128 

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Child Life Specialist in hospital settings

Girl/Boy Scout Administrator

Extension Educator

Community Youth Agency Director

After School Program Director

Youth Director in religious organizations

Child Advocate

Agency Coordinator

Crisis Intervention Administrator

Hospice or home help service coordinator

Community Support Coordinator

Family Life educator

Counselor in a residential facility 

Program specialist or Executive Director of Nonprofits such as Boys and Girls Club or YMCA

Parent educator

Cooperative Extension educator/4-H

WHAT OUR STUDENTS & GRADUATES SAY 
As you get into the program, you find that information can be used in life as well as your career

HDFS is people-oriented.

HDFS is a broad major that allows one to go in many directions – this major certainly allows for career flexibility

 Students feel competent in skill sets such as writing grant proposals, developing prevention programs or portfolios

With this degree, nearly all careers in human services are possible

HOW TO APPLY 

South Dakota State University
Admissions Office
SAD 200/Box 2201
Brookings, SD 57007
Fax: (605) 688-6891

Additional information about applying to SDSU may be found at the following website:

/Admissions/UndergraduateStudentAdmissions/Index.cfm

WHO TO CONTACT