2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/aces/human-development-family-studies-bs/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies

The Human Development and Family Studies program prepares students for graduate/professional education or employment in areas such as pediatric services in hospitals, medicine and allied health fields, marriage and family therapy, family law, human resources, child care services, family life education, social work, counseling, human services, and business activities related to children and families. Students select course work according to their interests in human development, such as infancy, early childhood or adolescence, and relationship and family science, such as intimate relationships, parent-child interaction, and family stress and change. Basic courses in these areas are linked to practical experiences in educational and community settings, and most courses emphasize issues related to cultural diversity and gender. Students develop an individualized plan within this major according to their career and professional interests.

for the Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | fulfilled by HDFS 290 | | | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by HDFS 105, HDFS 120, PSYC 100, SOC 100 | | | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | fulfilled by HDFS 120 | | | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | fulfilled by STAT 100 and any other course approved as Quantitative Reasoning I or II | | | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Human Development and Family Studies Required | | | | HDFS 101 | Opportunities, Careers in HDFS | 1 | | HDFS 105 | Intro to Human Development | 3 | | HDFS 120 | Intro to Family Studies | 3 | | HDFS 290 | Intro to Research Methods | 4 | | ACE 240 | Personal Financial Planning | 3 | | CMN 101 | Public Speaking | 3 | | or CMN 111 & CMN 112 | Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | | | PSYC 100 | Intro Psych | 4 | | SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 4 | | STAT 100 | Statistics | 3 | | Select one of the following health courses: | | 3 | | FSHN 120 | Contemporary Nutrition | | | HK 110 | Contemporary Health | | | HDFS 445 | Substance Use and Family Health | | | Select one of the following child/adolescent development courses: | | 3-4 | | HDFS 301 | Infancy & Early Childhood | | | HDFS 305 | Middle Childhood | | | HDFS 405 | Adolescent Development | | | Select one of the following relationships/family courses: | | 3-4 | | HDFS 207 | Self in Context | | | HDFS 225 | Close Relationships | | | HDFS 425 | Family Stress and Change | | | Select two of the following diversity courses: | | 6 | | HDFS 208 | Child and Family Inclusion: Disability, Health, and Diversity | | | HDFS 220 | Families in Global Perspective | | | HDFS 221 | Asian Families in America | | | HDFS 322 | US Latina and Latino Families | | | HDFS 340 | Gender, Relationshps & Society | | | HDFS 379 | HDFS Study Abroad Experience | | | HDFS 420 | Inequality, Public Policy, and U.S. Families | | | HDFS 424 | Racial and Ethnic Families | | | HDFS 444 | LGBT Indiv, Fam & Community | | | HDFS 460 | Black Families in Schools | | | Select one of the following applied courses: | | 3-4 | | HDFS 294 | Research Internship | | | HDFS 295 | Independent Study or Research | | | HDFS 350 | Early Childhood Learning and Play | | | HDFS 396 | Honors Research or Thesis | | | HDFS 450 | Internship in HDFS | | | HDFS 455 | TAP Internship | | | HDFS 494 | Applied Research Methods | | | LEAD 260 | Foundations of Leadership | | | Individualized Plan | | 16-18 | | Choose from a list of HDFS courses based on individual career goals and in consultation with the HDFS Academic Advisor. At least 15 hours at 300 level or above. Courses taken to meet other HDFS requirements can not count toward the Individualized Plan. | | | | HDFS 108 | Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan | | | HDFS 207 | Self in Context | | | HDFS 208 | Child and Family Inclusion: Disability, Health, and Diversity | | | HDFS 220 | Families in Global Perspective | | | HDFS 225 | Close Relationships | | | HDFS 301 | Infancy & Early Childhood | | | HDFS 305 | Middle Childhood | | | HDFS 310 | Adult Development | | | HDFS 320 | Families and the Law | | | HDFS 322 | US Latina and Latino Families | | | HDFS 330 | Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life | | | HDFS 340 | Gender, Relationshps & Society | | | HDFS 350 | Early Childhood Learning and Play | | | HDFS 401 | Socialization and Development | | | HDFS 405 | Adolescent Development | | | HDFS 408 | Hospitalized Children | | | HDFS 420 | Inequality, Public Policy, and U.S. Families | | | HDFS 425 | Family Stress and Change | | | HDFS 426 | Family Conflict Management | | | HDFS 444 | LGBT Indiv, Fam & Community | | | HDFS 445 | Substance Use and Family Health | | | Total Hours | | 126 |

for the Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Total Hours: 126

for the Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies

1. HDFS students will demonstrate a strong foundation in theories and empirical knowledge associated with human development and family studies (i.e., developmental periods and domains; socialization contexts; diversity among families and children; research methods; family dynamics, transitions, and resilience; and family policy)
2. Recall key terminology (theoretical, empirical, methodological, substantive concepts)
3. Describe current and historical challenges affecting individuals and families (e.g., social, political, economic, cultural, ethical, including research ethics)
4. Summarize key theories, models, and principles (e.g., grand, disciplinary, substantive, methodological)
5. Apply theories, models, and principles to developmental, relationship, familial, and social issues
6. Apply knowledge to global contexts
7. Integrate knowledge across courses and content areas (i.e., human development and family studies; lower level to higher level courses)
8. Critique current theoretical and empirical knowledge of and methodological approaches to studying human development, relationships, and families
9. HDFS students will exhibit the skills necessary to effectively apply knowledge and generate new ideas to solve real world issues
10. Use effective written communication
    1. Use appropriate grammar and writing mechanics
    2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of APA style
    3. Respond to constructive criticism (e.g., revision process, peer review)
    4. Produce written work that is organized, logical, and fully developed
11. Use effective oral communication (e.g., clearly and logically present ideas aloud through presentation to class or group)
12. Apply knowledge to formulate and investigate hypotheses or research questions
13. Apply knowledge to propose or create research-based programs or policies
14. Critically evaluate the quality of published research, programs, and policies and their implications for individuals, relationships, and families
15. Collaborate to achieve group goals
16. Apply research-based knowledge to working with children, families, and communities and/or agencies that serve them
17. HDFS students will demonstrate a critical and reflexive orientation toward and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion
18. Describe the historical and current relevance of diversity and inclusion to individuals, relationships, families, and communities
19. Reflect on one’s own interconnected positions, privileges, and disadvantages across multiple contexts
20. Critically examine one’s own beliefs, assumptions, values, attitudes, and biases
21. Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion in one’s own work (e.g., written and oral communication)
22. Critically evaluate the cultural respectfulness and appropriateness of research, programs, and policies related to human development and families
23. Critically evaluate the potential impact of research, programs, and policies on diversity and inclusion
24. Demonstrate awareness of global factors (e.g., economic, political, cultural, social) and how they may affect individuals, families and communities
25. HDFS students will develop professional competence skills and establish well-informed career and professional goals
26. Identify and compare/contrast a range of career options for HDFS majors
27. Create professional/job-related materials (e.g., resume, cover letter, purpose statement)
28. Connect discipline knowledge to personal and professional life
29. Develop leadership skills (e.g., through formal positions; informal mentoring to prospective/new students; representing the department; participation in class teamwork)
30. Develop professional connections to support career and professional goals (e.g., relationships with professors, internship supervisors who can serve as references; connections to professionals through attending conferences/workshops or engaging with guest speakers in class)
31. Make decisions and solve problems
    1. Independently
    2. Collaboratively
32. Exhibit professional and ethical behavior

for the Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies

Human Development & Family Studies

Human Development & Family Studies website\ 222 Bevier Hall, 905 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-3790\ hdfs@illinois.edu

Advising

Barbara Anderson is the Undergraduate Advisor for HDFS. You can reach her at banders9@illinois.edu.

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

ACES College website

Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall, 1301 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions\ visitACES@illinois.edu\ (217) 333-3380\ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions