Department of Human Development

Students seeking a bachelor of arts degree in this department focus on human development across the lifespan as it occurs within the family, linked to a variety of contexts within communities. The program centers on understanding the complexity of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development with an emphasis on development within the family. The curriculum examines human and family development across the lifespan (i.e., child, adolescent, younger and older adults). Opportunities are also available to become state certified as a teacher in preschool to third grade or as a family and consumer sciences teacher in junior high or senior high school.

In addition to the teaching certifications, the department offers four certificates: early childhood, adolescence, gerontology, and family studies. Students choosing these certificates are prepared to work in a wide range of careers working with children, adolescents, older adults, and/or families in a variety of professional settings. These may include positions in foster parent programs, adoption agencies, childcare or Head Start programs, teen centers, juvenile justice programs, nursing homes or other community-based programs for the elderly, and family services agencies.

We expect our graduating students will demonstrate: 1) an understanding of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development across the lifespan in the family context; 2) an understanding of how contextual systems interact to influence family and individual development; 3) the ability to critically select, evaluate, and utilize information to understand and benefit individuals and families; 4) writing, listening, and speaking appropriate for human development related occupations; 5) application of human development knowledge and skills in professional settings.

Students completing a human development degree are required to complete a certified minor or approved certificate of study in another department. A minor or certificate of study should be selected in consultation with a human development faculty advisor, preferably by the end of the third semester.

The human development degree provides preparation for graduate work leading to teaching, research, counseling, or administrative positions in academia, social services, or family therapy.

The department also offers a Master of Arts degree in Human Development. Areas of focus are early childhood, parent-child relations, youth-at-risk, prevention science, and community collaborative research. This degree prepares graduates for prevention positions, leadership positions in human service professions, entrance to doctoral programs, and research/teaching careers in higher education. More information is available from the graduate school.