Undergraduate

Human Development and Family Studies: Family and Lifespan Development

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

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

15*

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, Family Lifespan Development option at UNH offers comprehensive training in supporting individual and family well-being throughout life. You will explore multiple aspects of human development throughout the lifespan—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 Family Lifespan and Development option focuses on development within the context of families, close relationships, and communities, as well as understanding and supporting development across the entire lifespan.

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. HDFS is an applied field of study and a versatile undergraduate major for students interested in working to enhance the lives of individuals and families through in-demand careers in settings that include early childhood education, schools, hospitals, and social service agencies. The HDFS curriculum offers students the opportunity to take courses from child and adolescent development to adult development and aging; family, parenting, and interpersonal relationships; classroom curriculum, observation, and assessment; and family programming, policy, and law. Courses in the HDFS major emphasize diverse experiences across age, gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, and socioeconomic status and 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 in the Human Development and Family Studies program are provided with opportunities to put theory and research into practice through practicum and internship courses in the Child Study and Development Center, and many schools and community-based organizations across 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
Development Course ²		4
HDFS 641	Parenting Across the Life Span (or course selected in consultation with advisor) ^1,3	4
Discovery Course		4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 641	Parenting Across the Life Span (or course selected in consultation with advisor) ^1,3	4
Development Course ²		4
FLD Elective ⁴		4
Discovery Course		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
HDFS 746	Human Sexuality (or course selected in consultation with advisor) ³	4
FLD Elective ⁴		4
FLD Elective ⁴		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 746	Human Sexuality (or course selected in consultation with advisor) ³	4
Discovery Course		4
Discovery Course		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
HDFS 757	Race, Class, Gender, and Families (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) ^1,3	4
Major Supporting Course ⁵		4
Major Supporting Course ⁵		4
Course selected in consultation with advisor ³		4
	Credits	16
Spring
HDFS 757	Race, Class, Gender, and Families (Capstone (or course selected in consultation with advisor)) ^1,3	4
Major Supporting Course ⁵		4
Major Supporting Course ⁵		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: Refers to development 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: FLD Electives refer to 'Family Services & Institutions' courses.
⁵: 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
Family and Lifespan Development Option Requirements
HDFS 641	Parenting Across the Life Span	4
HDFS 746	Human Sexuality	4
Select two development courses from the following:		8
HDFS 623	Infant and Child Development
HDFS 624	Adolescent Development
HDFS 625	Adult Development
Select three family services and institutions elective courses from the following:		12
HDFS 586	Families at Risk
HDFS 553	Personal and Family Finance for Family Life Professionals
HDFS 610	Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy
HDFS 760	Family Programs and Policies
HDFS 794	Families and the Law
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 Community 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 studies, education, and communication sciences and disorders departments.
Capstone ¹
HDFS 757	Race, Class, Gender, and Families	4
or HDFS 743	Families, Schools, and Community

¹: Family and Lifespan Development students take HDFS 757 as the capstone course. With permission, a Family and Lifespan Development student may take HDFS 743 as the capstone course.

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.

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Explore Program Details

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.