Department of Human Development and Family Studies

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. The programs include the study of the development of individuals and families throughout the life span, seeking to improve their well-being through the creation, use, and dissemination of knowledge. Programs of study in the department are multidisciplinary, requiring a synthesis of knowledge from the social and behavioral sciences, and from the field of education. The goal of the Human Development and Family Studies Department is to provide the best opportunity in North Carolina for undergraduates to prepare for careers in child, adolescent, adult, and family care services; in business and community consumer services for families; teaching at the preschool level; and in cooperative extension and state agencies.

The Human Development and Family Studies major offers students the choice of four concentrations. The Early Care and Education concentration prepares students for careers in child care centers and agencies, private kindergartens, and hospitals. Teacher licensure in Birth through Kindergarten education is available as a concentration. The Child and Adolescent Development in the Family concentration prepares students for careers in community agencies that serve children, adolescents, and their families. The Family Studies concentration prepares students for family related careers in business, industry, and governmental and community service agencies.

The internship program within the Department as well as student organizations provide students with opportunities for professional experiences in the career field of their choice. The Department also administers the Child Care Education Programs at three sites with an enrollment of 80 children in all-day care. All serve as laboratories for the study of children and their families. The Family Research Center conducts research and policy studies that are aimed at improving life for children and families.

Admission to the Human Development and Family Studies Major

Any student may declare Human Development and Family Studies as a major upon entering the university. Students must meet the department requirements of the current catalog at the time they declare Human Development and Family Studies as their major.

Declaring Human Development and Family Studies as a major does not assure admission to the program. A student must be formally admitted to the Department of Human Development and Family Studies to register for advanced courses and complete work for the degree.

Criteria for Admission:

1. Completion of the following group of foundation courses with a C or better: HDF 211, 212, and 302 or 303 or 304
2. 51 s.h. with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
3. Transfer students with 60 s.h. may apply for admission after completing 12 s.h. at UNCG.

Students will not be permitted to take upper division courses in the department (HDF 350, 360, 421, 425, 428, 432, 435, 441, 445, 450, 452, 460, 462, 477, 482, 499) unless they have been formally admitted by the department (or in the case of non-majors, have the permission of the instructor).

Admission forms are available in the department office in Stone Building. Admission should normally be sought during the second semester of the sophomore year.