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)

• FYS 101 - First Year Seminar

Non-HFS Requirements (12-14)

Statistics (6-8 credits)

• Students pick any one course from the following First Course list:

• MAT 121 - Probability and Statistics for the Liberal Arts I
• MAT 194 - Precalculus
• MAT 221 - Elementary Probability and Statistics I
• MAT 285 - Life Sciences Calculus I
• MAT 295 - Calculus I

• AND

  Students pick any one course from the following Second Course list:

• GEO 386 - Quantitative Geographic Analysis
• MAT 122 - Probability and Statistics for the Liberal Arts II
• MAT 222 - Elementary Probability and Statistics II
• MAT 285 - Life Sciences Calculus I  
• MAT 286 - Life Sciences Calculus II
• MAT 295 - Calculus I  
• MAT 296 - Calculus II
• MAX 201 - Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences
• PSY 252 - Statistical Methods II

Additional Required Courses (6 credits)

• PSY 205 - Foundations of Human Behavior OR
• PSY 209 - Foundations of Human Behavior/ Honors Section

• AND

• PHI 191 - The Meaning of Life OR
• PHI 192 - Introduction to Moral Theory

HFS Required Courses (43 credits)

Required courses, 34 credits consisting of the following five categories:

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

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.

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 Syracuse University Abroad, 106 Walnut Place, 315-443-3471.

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