Undergraduate

Human Development and Family Studies: Child Development

Explore multiple aspects of human development—from early childhood and adolescence to family dynamics and aging.

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

17*

Credit

128 hrs.*

Full-time

4 yrs.

Part-time

Varies

View course catalog

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Human Development & Family Studies

The Human Development and Family Studies major, Child Development option at UNH offers comprehensive training in supporting individual and family well-being throughout life. You will explore multiple aspects of human development—from early childhood and adolescence to family dynamics and aging.

With a focus on practical experience through internships, community engagement, and real-world applications, our program prepares you for success in child development, family support, and human services careers. Through intensive coursework and hands-on learning opportunities, you'll develop the essential skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Department of Human Development & Family Studies

Key Links

Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Jill Trumbell

Associate Professor

Jill.Trumbell@unh.edu

Pettee Hall, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-5499

WHAT IS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES?

Human development and family studies is an applied, interdisciplinary field that draws from disciplines ranging from developmental psychology, education and sociology to examine how individuals and families develop across the lifespan and the role of key contexts in their growth and development. Students pursuing this program are prepared through coursework and real-world laboratory, practicum and internship experiences to work in direct-service positions promoting developmentally appropriate and evidence-based best practices. The Child development option focuses on infancy through childhood with an emphasis on learning, education, and developmentally appropriate practices and activities.

WHY STUDY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES AT UNH?

Students in the human development and family studies program at UNH receive high-quality undergraduate instruction and advising. As a major public research university, UNH emphasizes hands-on experience and research opportunities. Students have multiple opportunities to put theory into practice through the Child Study and Development Center and community-based settings that serve individuals and families.

POTENTIAL CAREER AREAS

Child and family support organizations
Courts and corrections systems
Development or support organizations for children, youth or seniors
Family or workplace education programs
Government agencies–administrative or human services
Policy analysis, advocacy or research
Schools (K-12, early childhood)
Youth development programs

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is an academic discipline focused on understanding the development of individuals and families over time and across the ecological contexts in which they live. The Child Development option within the major is applied and versatile, preparing students for in-demand careers focused on enhancing child and family well-being in settings that include childcare centers, hospitals, schools, and social service agencies. The Child Development curriculum offers students the opportunity to take courses on infant and child development, youth facing risk, teaching and learning, observation and assessment of children, learning through play, parent-child relationships, and more. Coursework emphasizes diverse experiences across gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, and family structure to prepare students for inclusive programming and practice.

As a major public research university, UNH emphasizes hands-on experience and research opportunities for undergraduate students. Students within the HDFS Child Development option are provided with opportunities to put theory and research into practice through practicum coursework at the Child Study and Development Center and through an optional senior year internship experience at one of the many community-based organizations that support children and families in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire.

Degree Plan

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
ENGL 401	First-Year Writing	4
HDFS 525 or HDFS 545	Human Development ¹ or Intimate Relationships and Families	4
Discovery Course		4
Discovery Course		4
CHHS First Year Seminar		1
	Credits	17
Spring
HDFS 525 or HDFS 545	Human Development ¹ or Intimate Relationships and Families	4
HDFS 555	Research Methods in HDFS	4
Discovery Course		4
Inquiry Course		4
CHHS First Year Seminar		1
	Credits	17
Second Year
Fall
HDFS 623	Infant and Child Development	4
Discovery Course		4
Discovery Course		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 635	Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings	4
CD Elective ²		4
Discovery Course		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
HDFS 635 or HDFS 630W	Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings ¹ or Youth Facing Adversity	4
HDFS 771	Observation and Assessment of Young Children (or CD Elective) ^1,2	4
CD Elective ²		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 771	Observation and Assessment of Young Children (or CD Elective) ¹	4
Discovery Course		4
Discovery Course		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
HDFS 743	Families, Schools, and Community (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) ^1,3	4
Major Supporting Course		4
Major Supporting Course		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 743	Families, Schools, and Community (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) ^1,3	4
Major Supporting Course ⁴		4
Major Supporting Course ⁴		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	130

¹: Students should enroll in each listed course only once.
²: CD electives refer to development and context courses.
³: Students should use these credit hours towards a dual/double major, minor, accelerated master's program (senior year if applicable), or as general elective coursework.
⁴: Students should consult their advisor to determine if a course outside of HDFS meets the supporting course requirements. The Community Internship satisfies supporting course requirements. Students who do not complete the internship must earn at least four supporting course credits within HDFS.

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

The core curriculum required of each Human Development and Family Studies student is designed to give a broad introduction to individual and family development and interpersonal relationships across the lifespan. Building off this curriculum, each student can specialize in one of three options, Child Development, Early Child Education Teacher Licensure, or Family and Lifespan Development which guide further required coursework. Faculty advisors support students in selecting coursework to best prepare them for their specific career objectives. In their senior year, students complete a capstone course and may participate in a year-long community-based internship experience.

Candidates for the Human Development and Family Studies degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery and Writing Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of the major/option.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Requirements
HDFS 525	Human Development	4
HDFS 545	Intimate Relationships and Families	4
HDFS 555	Research Methods in HDFS	4
Child Development Option Requirements
HDFS 623	Infant and Child Development	4
HDFS 630W	Youth Facing Adversity	4
HDFS 635	Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings	4
HDFS 771	Observation and Assessment of Young Children	4
Select three elective development in context courses from the following:		12
HDFS 684	Curriculum for Young Children
HDFS 794	Families and the Law
HDFS 641	Parenting Across the Life Span
HDFS 590	Learning Through Play
HDFS 565	Introduction to Child Life
HDFS 709	Child Development Internship
Supporting Courses
Supporting courses are intended to provide an individualized component to the HDFS curriculum. Because HDFS is interdisciplinary, this allows students to explore related areas that contribute to their academic and professional goals. The 16-credit hour HDFS community internship will satisfy the supporting coursework requirement. For students not completing the internship, at least 4 of their supporting course credits must come from within HDFS. The remaining 12 credits of supporting coursework can include additional courses within HDFS or outside of HDFS as long as those taken outside of HDFS are:		16
1. At the 500-level or above
2. Approved by an HDFS advisor
Classes outside of HDFS meeting supporting course criteria are often found in the psychology, sociology, social work, women’s and gender studies, education, and communication sciences and disorders departments.
Capstone
HDFS 743	Families, Schools, and Community	4

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Use theoretical frameworks and empirical research to understand and explain child development, family process and the interaction of children and families with society.
Recognize and respect a diversity of family forms and processes. Understand how child development and family interactions are shaped by diverse personal contexts and cultures. Understand and be aware of one’s own biases, beliefs, and values.
Understand ethical decision-making processes, and ethical standards and principles relevant to our discipline. Positively represent the profession in academic, professional and community settings.

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Checklists & Forms

Undergraduate Forms

Honors in Major

Honors in Major for the HDFS Department offers students the opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of issues related to the health and well-being of individuals and families. The program emphasizes student-led, individualized curricula and encourages the formation of working relationships between students and faculty.

Honor in Major can be pursued without participating in the Hamel Honors and Scholars College or completing Discovery Honors requirements. To learn more University Honors, visit the Hamel Honors and Scholars College . Students, however, must still complete all HDFS requirements for their concentration.

Student’s interested in pursuing Honor in Major need to schedule a meeting with the Hamel Honors and Scholars College Liaison, Dr. Kimberly Nesbitt. While applications must be submitted before the end of Spring semester of the Junior year, students are encouraged to apply early to allow maximum flexibility in completing program requirements.

GPA Requirements for Honors in Major

Honors in Major for HDFS is open all undergraduates in all department concentrations; however, students are required to maintain an overall grade-point average of 3.40 and a 3.40 grade-point average in the major.

Honors in Major Courses

Students must successfully complete sixteen (16) credits of honors in HDFS at the 600 level or above. Of those sixteen credits, only one course may be chosen from the 600 level, while three must be chosen from the 700 level. The 700-level coursework must include 4 credits (across two semesters) of HDFS 799 – Honors Senior Thesis. HDFS honors courses require independent work, readings, and meetings with the course instructor not required of other students enrolled in the course.

Honors Thesis

Students must successfully complete four credits of HDFS 799 – Honors Senior Thesis. HDFS 799 is a two-credit course that is taken pass/fail over both semesters of the student’s senior year. As part of the thesis process, honors candidates must present a proposal to their faculty advisors that includes active student participation in original research. Once their research is completed, honors students must present their findings at a seminar (typically the UNH Undergraduate Research Conference ) and submit a written thesis to their faculty advisor.