2024-2025 Undergraduate Course Catalog 
    
    Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Course Catalog

Human Development and Family Science, BS


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Contact

Colleen Cameron, Undergraduate Program Director
144H White Hall
315-443-9634

Description

The Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) is a dynamic interdisciplinary program that is informed by research and theory from the fields of anthropology, psychology, sociology, public policy, and education. We take a cross-cultural and life-span approach to the study of development across communities and contexts (e.g., families, schools, work, and hospitals). HDFS provides numerous opportunities for diverse career paths and advanced degree options. HDFS graduates are prepared to pursue careers as service providers, program administrators, human resource specialists in governmental and nongovernmental agencies serving children, youth, adults, and families. Additionally, graduates may work as advocates and researchers in educational institutions, health services, counselling, and family intervention programs. HDFS is a popular major for students interested in careers in law, medical or health related fields.

Students enrolled in the B.S. in Human Development and Family Science not only learn in the classroom, they receive first-hand experience in the community as well. Students complete a 180-hour community practicum that allows them to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real life settings. As a result, students have a comprehensive understanding of children, youth, adults, and families in theory and in practice.

The 124 credit B.S. degree program provides students with a broad foundation covering a range of issues focusing on the healthy development of children, youth, adults, and families across cultural contexts. In addition to liberal arts courses, students are expected to complete 40 credits of Program Requirements.

Intra-University Transfers

Students who meet the following criteria will be considered for Intra-University Transfer and/or Declaration of Major in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) on a rolling basis.

Intra-University Transfer into HDFS - Students currently enrolled in programs outside the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics (Falk College) must meet the following requirements:

  1. have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above;
  2. have completed a minimum of 12credit hours of academic coursework at Syracuse University;
  3. be making satisfactory academic progress; and
  4. have expressed academic and career interests in the area of human development and family science.

Declaring a major in HDFS - Students currently enrolled in Falk College interested in declaring HDFS as a major or those currently enrolled in other programs who are interested in declaring HDFS as a second major must meet the following requirements:

  1. have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above;
  2. have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of academic coursework at Syracuse University;
  3. be making satisfactory academic progress; and
  4. have expressed academic and career interests in the area of human development and family science.

Interested undergraduate students should contact the HDFS Department to schedule an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies by emailing Kim Mura, kjmura​@syr.edu. The HDFS Director of Undergraduate Program will decide whether or not to approve the student’s request.

Upon approval, students should complete the appropriate form (IUT): Application for Undergraduate Intra-University Transfer Form or Declaration of Major Form.

Students who are not accepted into the major may appeal the decision to the HDFS Undergraduate Committee. The decision of the HDFS Undergraduate Committee is final.

Student Learning Outcomes


  1. Explain principles of life span development and family science across diverse contexts and populations.
  2. Utilize research to understand human development and family processes.
  3. Write effectively about human development and family processes.
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills on human development and family processes.
  5. Apply knowledge of individual and family development to implement developmentally supportive and culturally responsive practices.

University Requirement (1 credit)


  • Note: the BS in Human Development and Family Science requires completion of an IDEA course (chosen from a select list  posted in the course catalog) - The IDEA course may count as a liberal arts, departmental course, or elective requirement depending on the course chosen.  

Natural Science and Mathematics (12-15 credits)


Social Sciences (6 credits)


Humanities (12 credits)


Students must take at total of 12 credits of Humanities to include:

Additional Liberal Arts Courses (6 credits)


Program Requirements (40 credits)


Required courses, 31 credits consisting of the following five categories:

  • Life Span Development (9 credits)
  • Family Science (9 credits)
  • Research (3 credits)
  • Cross-Cultural Perspectives (1 out of 2) (3 credits)
  • Internship (7 credits)

Human Development and Family Science Electives (9 credits)


Take 9 credits of HDFS electives numbered 300 or higher.

Only 6 credits from the following courses can be counted as HDFS electives: HFS 470 or HFS 490

A course may not be counted more than once within the degree for fulfillment of a required course or elective course.

Electives to Reach 124 Degree Applicable Credits


Students must complete a total of 124 degree applicable credits.  This includes a minimum of 62 credits of liberal arts and science courses.

Certifications


Students wishing to pursue a certification or credential in Child Life Specialist (CLS) are advised to consult with their academic advisors during their sophomore year or earlier. Transfer students should consult with their academic advisors as soon as they are admitted to the HDFS department.

Our B.S. degree is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).  Graduates of our program can establish eligibility for certification as a Child Life Specialist through the ACLP. The ACLP requirements for certification include four components: (1) Earning your bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution; (2) Enrolling in and completing the 10 required Child Life Specialist Courses;  (3) Completing a 600-hour clinical internship; and (4) Passing the professional  certification exam. As an endorsed program, students who successfully complete the 10 required courses and graduate with our B.S. degree are eligible to pursue the 600-hour clinical internship. After the completion of the 600-hour clinical internship, eligibility is established for the professional certification exam. 

Students interested in becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist must follow eligibility requirements. Eligibility Requirements established by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

For specific details regarding eligibility and certification requirements, please reference the Association of Child Life Professionals website.

Total Credits: 124


Degree Awarded: BS


Early Childhood Education Master’s Degree 4+1


Students earning a degree in human development and family science who wish to be dually certified as early childhood teachers (birth through grade 2 in both general and special education) have the opportunity to apply for a 15-month master’s degree in early childhood special education (ECSE) through the School of Education.at Syracuse University. Students who enroll in this degree program currently receive a substantial reduction in their graduate tuition. Potential applicants should look for current information about the program and its start dates, tuition reduction, and admissions requirements on the program’s website at the start of their last year of undergraduate study.

Students considering this 4+1 option should work with their academic advisor to complete these specific liberal arts requirements during their undergraduate program.

  • a writing course with a B- or better grade
  • two appropriate courses in college-level mathematics with course grades averaging to a B- or better with no grade below a C.
  • two sciences with laboratories (physical sciences recommended) with course grades averaging to a B- or better with no grade below a C;  
  • one humanities course that is not arts-related or history*
  • one social science course that is not psychology or history*
  • at least one class in history* (which may count toward fulfilling liberal arts core requirements in the social sciences or humanities, depending on the course); and
  • An art or music history course* (e.g. HOA or HOM) that would also meet a humanities requirement).
  • First college course in a language other than English* (LOTE) (e.g. 101 at Syracuse University) or successful completion of Level III of a LOTE in high school.
  • *With no grade less than a C

Interested undergraduate students should contact the ECSE program coordinator about taking other courses that might help reduce the number of graduate credits for the program.

SU Abroad


The College, in cooperation with the Syracuse University Abroad (Syracuse Abroad), strongly encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad. Study abroad options include semester, summer, and short-stay programs. It is essential that students begin planning early for study abroad and work closely with their academic advisors.

For further information, contact the Office of Student Services in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, 330 Barclay Suite, 315-443-3144, or Syracuse University Abroad, 106 Walnut Place, 315-443-3471.

For the most up to date information visit the Syracuse Abroad website

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