Human Development and Family Services (A.S.)

Location(s): Online

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Amber Letcher, Associate Professor
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 314
605-688-4941

Program Information

The Human Development and Family Services program involves the study of lifespan development in the context of family, community and society. The Human Development and Family Services major prepares students for careers assisting prevention specialists, advocates, and educators working with children and families. Graduates will be employable in schools, hospitals, clinics, childcare facilities, and non-profit organizations. Completion of the Human Development and Family Services associate’s degree will allow students to transfer 60 credits of coursework into the B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies .

Student Learning Outcomes

Students with a major in Human Development and Human Services will be able to:

Identify the effects of diverse environments on the development of individuals and families.
Apply knowledge of human development and family theories and concepts to the experiences of individuals, couples, and families.
Apply human development and family theories to explain and improve individual growth and family interaction.
Reflect on their experience of participating in community-based programs.
Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills in a group setting.

Academic Requirements

Students must receive a C or better grade in all HDFS prefix courses.

Course Delivery Format

Program courses are available online.

Requirements for Human Development and Family Services Major: 60 Credits

Associate of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
CMST 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity: PSYC 101 - General Psychology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 and SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity: SGR #4 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Elective Credits: 3

Major Requirements

HDFS 141 - Individual and the Family [SGR #3] Credits: 3
HDFS 150 - Early Experience Credits: 2
HDFS 210 - Lifespan Development (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
HDFS 227 - Human Development and Personality I: Childhood Credits: 3
HDFS 237 - Human Development II: Adolescence Credits: 3
HDFS 241 - Family Relations Credits: 3
HDFS 247 - Human Development III: Adulthood Credits: 3
HDFS 250 - Development of Human Sexuality Credits: 3
HDFS 255 - Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation Credits: 3

Supporting Coursework

GERO 201 - Introduction to Gerontology Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 60

Summary of Program Requirements

Associate of Science
System General Education Requirements	24 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	26 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework	3 Credit Hours
Electives**	7 Credit Hours

**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.