Human Development and Family Sciences, Human Development and Family Sciences (BSHDFS)
Degree - Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences (BSHDFS)
The Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences focuses on the study of human development, individuals in a family context, relationships, and well-being within the family and the broader social, economic, community, and governmental environment. Students in the program are expected to develop knowledge and understanding about human development and family dynamics through classroom experiences, observation of children and families, and research. They have opportunities to apply their knowledge through practicum experiences in research and placements in the field. The program is designed to give students excellent preparation for graduate training that leads to careers in academia, research, medicine, and other health professions, as well as for employment in a field involving work with children, families, and adults.
Total Hours Required: 120
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| HDF 304 | Family Relationships | 3 |
| SDS 302F | Foundations of Data Analysis | 3 |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| HDF 313 | Child Development | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: ECO, SOC, PSY, ANT, GOV, GRG, HIS, LIN, or PHL | 3 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| BIO 311D | Introductory Biology II | 3 |
| H E 101P | Professional Development I | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| HDF 315L | Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: ECO, SOC, PSY, ANT, GOV, GRG, HIS, LIN, or PHL | 3 | |
| NTR 306 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 3 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| HDF 305 | Health and Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: AST, BIO, CH, C S, GEO, NEU, M, PHY, or NTR (excluding NTR 306) | 3 | |
| H E 102P | Ethics Across Life | 1 |
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
NTR, PBH, or TXA |
||
| Personal and Family Finance | ||
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| HDF 352 | Field Experience: Community | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF | 3 | |
| HDF 355R | Problems Course: Research Practicum | 3 |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division ECO, SOC, PSY, ANT, GOV, GRG, HIS, LIN, or PHL | 3 | |
| GOV 310L | American and Texas Government | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF | 3 | |
| HDF 355R | Problems Course: Research Practicum | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division ECO, SOC, PSY or ANT | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| GOV 312L | Issues and Policies in American Government | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF | 3 | |
| H E 103P | Professional Development II | 1 |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| HDF 113L | Child Development Laboratory | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: AST, BIO, CH, C S, GEO, NEU, M, PHY, or NTR (courses designed for non-science majors may not be counted toward this requirement) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | ||
| SDS 302F | Foundations of Data Analysis | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: | 4 | |
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Differential Calculus for Science | ||
| Differential and Integral Calculus for the Sciences | ||
| Elements of Regression Analysis | ||
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | |
| BIO 311C | Introductory Biology I | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Foundations of Chemistry II | ||
| Hours chosen from: Additional semester coursework (courses designed for non-science majors may not be counted toward this requirement) | 3 | |
Astronomy | ||
Biology | ||
Chemistry | ||
Computer Science | ||
Geological Sciences | ||
Neuroscience | ||
Mathematics | ||
Physics | ||
Nutrition | ||
| NTR 306 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 3 |
| or PBH 317 | Introduction to Public Health | |
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
NTR, PBH, or TXA | ||
| Personal and Family Finance | ||
Students should confer with their advisors about courses appropriate to their career goals | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 13 | |
| Family Relationships | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Child Development Laboratory | ||
| Research Methods in Human Development and Family Sciences | ||
| Health and Development Across the Lifespan | ||
or HDF 306 | Introduction to Gender and Sexuality | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF (excluding HDF 322, HDF 357, HDF 359, HDF 352, HDF 652F, HDF 352L, HDF 652P, HDF 355H and HDF 355R) | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: | 6 | |
| Field Experience: Community | ||
| Field Practicum: Community | ||
| Field Experience: Early Childhood | ||
| Field Practicum: Early Childhood | ||
| Advanced Applied Research Experience | ||
| Problems Course: Research Practicum | ||
Registration is restricted to students whose applications have been approved. Applications, as well as application deadlines, are available online and through the practicum coordinator | ||
| Subtotal | 47 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 30 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 1 | |
| Subtotal | 31 | |
| General Education | ||
| Core Curriculum | 42 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 42 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Degree - Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences (BSHDFS)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | ||
| H E 101P | Professional Development I | 1 |
| H E 102P | Ethics Across Life | 1 |
| H E 103P | Professional Development II | 1 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division HDF (excluding HDF 322, HDF 357, HDF 359, HDF 352, HDF 652F, HDF 352L, HDF 652P, HDF 355H, HDF 355R, and HDR 379H) | 18 | |
| Select nine semester hours, at least three of which must be upper-division, from courses in economics, social or cultural anthropology, sociology, government, history, linguistics, philosophy, geography and the environment, and psychology (PSY 304, PSY 333D, and PSY 339 may not be counted toward this degree. Courses used to fulfill this requirement may not also be used to fulfill Core Curriculum requirements) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
At least 36 semester hours of upper-division coursework must be completed.
At least 21 semester hours must be completed in residence at the University.
At least 18 semester hours in the School of Health and Human Sciences must be completed in residence at the University.
Additional Requirements and Policy
Students must fulfill both the University's General Requirements for graduation and the college requirements. They must earn a grade of at least C- in each mathematics and science course required for the degree, and grade point average in these courses of at least 2.00. More information about grades and the grade point average is given in the General Information Catalog.