Online Family Human Development Degree :: Accredited Universities

The Bachelor of Science in family and human development equips students with specialized knowledge in human development from infancy through the life span, as well as the formation, development and dissolution of families.

Students take a variety of courses on contemporary issues related to the development of individuals and families as they relate to their diverse social worlds. These courses cover such topics as life span human development, adolescence, marriage and family relationships, parenting, and the impact of ethnicity, culture, gender and work on individual development and family interaction patterns.

As part of the School of Social and Family Dynamics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, we provide students with an excellent liberal arts education that enables them to develop strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills. Through a broad range of courses and learning opportunities students develop proficiency in written communication, statistics and research methods. They hone a unique ability to communicate clearly and listen carefully.

Our graduates routinely go on to successful careers in social services, government and business. Others benefit from a highly dynamic and interactive learning experience and go on to pursue graduate and doctoral degrees in family and developmental sciences, counseling, social work, medicine, and law.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must successfully complete ASU competency requirements. Admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas. Deficiencies cannot be in both math and laboratory science. Students must earn a minimum 2.0 in any subject area. Most competencies may also be met by test scores or college courses.

English - 4 years (composition/literature based)
Math - 4 years - Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and one course requiring Algebra II as a prerequisite.
Laboratory Science - 3 years total (1 year each from any of the following areas are accepted: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Integrated Sciences, and Physics)
Social Science - 2 years (including one year American History)
Foreign Language - 2 years (same language)
Fine Arts - 1 year

Applicants must also meet at least one of the following:

Top 25% in high school graduating class
3.0 GPA in competency courses (4.0 = A)
ACT 22 (24 nonresidents)*
SAT Reasoning 1040 (1110 nonresidents)*

*ASU does not require the writing portion of these tests.

Official transcripts must be mailed directly to Undergraduate Admissions by the records office of the issuing institution(s). ASU does not accept transcripts delivered by hand or fax. Please have your previous academic institution(s) mail your official transcript to the appropriate ASU mailing address

Individual Review
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All students who don’t meet the above standards will be evaluated through a process called Individual Review. Through this process Undergraduate Admissions will review all available information about a student’s application, carefully considering all aspects of a student’s academic background and accomplishments. Submission of an ACT or SAT test score is highly recommended. In some cases, additional information might be requested.

International Applicants
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TOEFL and IELTS score must be mailed to the university.

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The Master of Science in Family and Human Development is a 30-credit online degree program offered through the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics at Arizona State University.
Students in this program will gain the knowledge and skills that can be used to promote healthy individual and family development. Students will develop an understanding of the factors that promote successful relationships and positive outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across the life-span.

This program is designed for students who want an applied practitioner-oriented approach to develop an advanced understanding of the issues and needs of children, youth, and families in the 21st century. Experienced faculty who are trained in the area and have considerable expertise in delivering high-quality online education teach the courses and help direct students’ capstone projects.

The MS in Family and Human Development is a non-thesis degree program that focuses on practical application. It does not require a GRE for admission and can be completed in as little as 15-18 months, enabling students to enter the job market sooner. Graduates often pursue careers working with children, youth, and adults in human, social and government agencies.

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The Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies focuses on the study of human development, within the contexts of the family, the community, and the broader national and international culture. The Program is based on a systems view of human interaction, with emphasis on how people are affected by their environments, and how they, in turn, have an impact on others.

Careers with this degree

Graduates of this program are well positioned to pursue numerous career paths. The specialized knowledge gained during study prepares graduates to work in community-based social service agencies, early childhood education centers and programs, hospitals and hospice organizations, governmental and policy positions, and in research, writing and media development.

Human Development and Family Studies professionals are on the front lines in adoption and foster care agencies, overseeing the welfare of young children who may have been displaced by divorce, substance abuse, or death of biological parents. On the other end of the developmental spectrum, human development and family study professionals may work in nursing homes or agencies tending to the special needs of senior citizens and their caretakers.

Professionals with this degree may choose to work in pre-school settings, and may find that their academic preparation provides them an opportunity to serve as a manager or supervisor. Their special knowledge of the early phases of the lifecycle may enable them to work as early intervention professionals, helping to spot and treat children's development delays.

Professionals in this area may also provide hands-on assistance in treating people who have undergone physical or emotional trauma, or who are dealing with addictions or abuse. They may be employed as assistants in residential halfway houses specializing in helping people regain independence and dignity.

Entry Requirements

The bachelor’s degree program is open to students who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.

All students who enroll in the bachelor's degree program must enroll in COLL100 - Foundations of Online Learning as their first course.

International Students
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Applicants self-certify on their admissions application that they have received the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.

Depending on the country of citizenship applicants may be required to provide documentation of English proficiency to complete their admission file. Please check at "http://www.apu.apus.edu/admissions/general-information/international-students/english-proficiency.htm".

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This Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) combines coursework and field experience in individual and family development across the lifespan. Learn how individuals develop and change, how family, community, and society affect human development. With a family studies major, you learn how to apply this knowledge in career areas such as early childhood services, adolescent intervention, programming for older adults, support for children and families in hospital settings, and community outreach. Coursework in this human development major program builds skills in observation, program development and implementation, grant writing, and social policy information as these relate to diverse populations.

Entry Requirements

- Previous college credit must be transferred into the program, and minimum credits required can vary depending on previous coursework completed.

- 2.0 cumulative GPA (2.5 cumulative GPA preferred) from all coursework previously completed

- Satisfy admission requirement in mathematics

- High school graduation or equivalent

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The nation's population of older adults is growing. Family dynamics are changing with increased need for child care and family services. Social problems are affecting more and more people. Additional stress on children and adults is leading to school, work, and relationship issues. There is a strong and growing demand for professionals with the training and expertise to help improve people's lives.

The online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) degree with an option in Life Span Human Services from Penn State can help you learn how individuals change from birth to old age, how families and communities influence these processes, and how to apply this knowledge in order to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions designed to improve people's lives.

Why a Human Development and Family Studies Degree Online at Penn State?

Education with Purpose – Pursue a degree that interests you and allows you to help make lives better along the way. Learn how to make a difference by advocating for new social policies and programs or developing new models to prevent and treat social, emotional, and behavioral problems. In addition, you can gain practical, transferable skills that will prepare you to interact with a wide variety of people throughout your career.

Flexibility – The online courses provide the flexibility and convenience to study around your schedule. Skip the lengthy commute time without sacrificing beneficial interactions with your knowledgeable, caring faculty. Learn from the experiences of your fellow classmates without leaving the comfort of your home.

Comprehensive Curriculum – You will have the opportunity to study a wide range of human services and diverse populations while gaining an understanding of human development across the life span and the influences of the family and the community on development. You can learn how people change in response to their surroundings — within families, schools, communities, and the work place. And you can explore how evidence-based interventions improve lives.

Solid Foundation – You have the option of starting the bachelor's program immediately, or you can choose to enhance your professional credentials by achieving important milestones along the way. For example, you could earn the Undergraduate Certificate in Children, Youth, and Family Services, the Undergraduate Certificate in Adult Development and Aging Services, or the Associate in Science in Human Development and Family Studies first. The credits earned in the associate degree and these certificates may be applied toward the bachelor of science in HDFS at Penn State. Use these credentials to set yourself apart on the career ladder as you pursue your education goals.

Applied Learning – This may be an online degree, but preparing for a human services career requires experience working in the field with real people. HDFS students complete an internship at a human service organization in their community. Real world experience will help you build professional networks, establish references, and reflect on what you have learned in the classroom.

Who Should Apply?

If you are looking for a way to achieve your career goals while helping to improve the well-being and health of individuals and communities, then this degree program is for you. It is an ideal choice if you are just beginning to earn a degree in the human-service field — or if you already have academic credits or an associate degree in the field.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

The well-rounded curriculum can give you the basis you need to become a leader in human services, working in various organizations such as:

preschools, summer camps, and after school programs
marriage and family counseling centers
youth and family service organizations
elder care and services agencies
drug and alcohol treatment centers
health care facilities
nonprofit organizations
human resource departments
public relations agencies

As a graduate of the bachelor's degree in HDFS, you could be qualified to work with children, youth, and families, as well as adults through a wide range of career paths to:

oversee treatment and interventions
plan, organize, implement, manage, and coordinate programs
supervise the operations of various centers
provide leadership for projects
work directly with children, older adults, and families

In addition, this degree is an excellent way to prepare for graduate school or advanced clinical training in the social, behavioral, and health sciences.

Entry Requirements

To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate, or have completed your GED.

International applicants
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International students whose native language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency.
The scores must be less than two years old. The following are ways in which you can satisfy the language proficiency requirement:

TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 550 on the paper exam (score reports must be official and cannot be more than two years old (code #2660);

IELTS: A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 on the academic test

SAT score of 530 or higher on the critical reading section (code #2660);

ACT score of 24 or higher on the English section (code #3656);

IGCSE score of A, B, or C on the English language exam,
IB score of 5 or higher on the English Language & Literature (SL/HL) exam.

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