Undergraduate

Human Development and Family Studies: Early Childhood Education (Teacher Licensure)

Explore comprehensive training in supporting young learners and prepares you to pursue teacher licensure.

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

19*

Credit

128 hrs*

Full-time

4 yrs.

Part-time

Varies

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Human Development & Family Studies

The Human Development and Family Studies major, Early Childhood Education option at UNH offers comprehensive training in supporting young learners and prepares you to pursue teacher licensure.

With a focus on practical experience through internships, community engagement, and real-world applications, our program prepares you for success as an educator. Through intensive coursework and hands-on learning opportunities, you'll develop the essential skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students in communities everywhere.

*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 Early Childhood Education option offers teacher licensure preparation and prepares students for careers in K-12 schools.

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 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Licensure option within the major provides an applied focus on preparing students for careers as early childhood (birth - third grade) educators in childcare centers, preschools, and elementary schools. The ECE Teacher Licensure curriculum offers students the opportunity to take courses on infant and child development, working with children with special needs, teaching and learning in early care and education settings, observation and assessment of children, and building strong family-school-community partnerships. Additionally, students take subject-area coursework focused on developing the skills needed to teach math, science, social studies, and literacy. The principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion are woven throughout every course and internship experience to prepare students for inclusive educational practice.

As a major public research university, UNH emphasizes hands-on experience and research opportunities for undergraduate students. Students within the HDFS Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure option are provided with opportunities to put theory and research into practice through practicum and internship coursework at the Child Study and Development Center and a required full-year student teaching internship in a Kindergarten through 3rd-grade classroom.

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
EDUC 500	Exploring Teaching (or Discovery Course) ¹	4
Discovery Course		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ²		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 635	Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings	4
MATH 601	Exploring Mathematics for Teachers I	4
EDUC 500	Exploring Teaching (or Discovery Course)	4
HDFS 684	Curriculum for Young Children (or Discovery Course)	4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
HDFS 709 or HDFS 771	Child Development Internship (or Discovery Course) ¹ or Observation and Assessment of Young Children	4
HDFS 684	Curriculum for Young Children (or Discovery Course)	4
Major/Option Course (MATH/EDUC)		4
Major/Option Course (MATH/EDUC)		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 771 or HDFS 709	Observation and Assessment of Young Children ¹ or Child Development Internship	4
Discovery Course		4
Discovery Course		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ²		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
HDFS 743	Families, Schools, and Community (Capstone)	4
HDFS 785	Seminar for Student Teachers I	2
Major/Option Course (MATH/EDUC)		4
Major/Option Course (MATH/EDUC)		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ²		4
	Credits	18
Spring
HDFS 786	Seminar for Student Teachers II	2
HDFS 788	Student Teaching Young Children	8
Major/Option Course (MATH/EDUC)		4
	Credits	14
	Total Credits	130

¹: Students should enroll in each listed course only once.
²: Students may use these credit hours towards a minor, accelerated master's program (senior year if applicable), or as general elective coursework.

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 Childhood 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
Early Childhood Education: Teacher Licensure Option Requirements
HDFS 623	Infant and Child Development	4
HDFS 635	Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings	4
HDFS 684	Curriculum for Young Children	4
HDFS 709	Child Development Internship	4
HDFS 771	Observation and Assessment of Young Children	4
HDFS 785	Seminar for Student Teachers I	2
HDFS 786	Seminar for Student Teachers II	2
HDFS 788	Student Teaching Young Children	8
EDUC 500	Exploring Teaching	4
EDUC 706	Teaching & Learning Literacy in the Elementary Classroom	4
EDUC 751A	Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners	4
or EDUC 760	Introduction to Young Children with Special Needs
EDUC 703F	Teaching Elementary School Science	4
EDUC 703M	Teaching Elementary Social Studies	4
MATH 601	Exploring Mathematics for Teachers I	4
MATH 703	Teaching of Mathematics in Grades K-6	4
Capstone
HDFS 743	Families, Schools, and Community	4

Additional Information

Teacher Licensure Option Requirements

Students must meet state student-teaching requirements including completing the Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and a criminal background check.
Students must have a minimum 3.2 overall and major GPA and meet course progression requirements (B- or better in all Early Childhood Education: Teacher Licensure Option Requirements) confirmed through application during the spring of the junior year. Students not meeting these requirements will be transitioned to the Child Development option.
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure option will be eligible for recommendation to the NH Department of Education for Early Childhood Education (N-3) licensure.
Licensure by the NH Department of Education also depends on meeting state subject area testing requirements and a criminal background check.

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Use theoretical frameworks and empirical research to understand and explain child/lifespan development, family process and the interaction of individuals and families with society.
Recognize and respect a diversity of family forms and processes. Understand how human 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.

Disclosures

Human Development and Family Studies Major: Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure Option (B.S.)

Location/Delivery: College of Health and Human Services, Durham Campus [In Person Program]

This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:

Teacher Licensure

Early Childhood Education (Pre K-3)

The University of New Hampshire has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:¹
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

¹: State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.

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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.