OVERVIEW OF MAJOR
Are you curious about the way human beings grow and develop? Have you ever wondered how environmental and social factors affect physical, cognitive, and emotional development? Are you interested in learning more about specific stages of human development such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging? Does the study of family dynamics or the aging process intrigue you? Have you ever thought about a career in early childhood education, in family counseling, or working with youth in various settings? Would you like to work with hospitalized children to help reduce the stress of medical treatment on them and their families? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then a major in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) may be for you.
Human Development and Family Studies is a major focusing on the interdisciplinary study of the development of individuals and families across the lifespan. Students learn to identify factors that influence cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development through infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and later adulthood in the contexts of culture and family. Students complete the human development and family studies foundational requirements and a prescribed series of courses related to their career interests. Additionally, students choose support courses and electives that reflect their future career aspirations.
The curriculum prepares students to work with individuals and families in a broad range of contexts. Each student chooses a Career Interest Area in order to gain additional Knowledge specific to future career aspirations. For example, students interested in pursuing careers working with Children and Families can choose courses that focus on the typical and/or atypical development of children; while those students interested in pursuing careers working with Adolescents and Families can choose courses that address the unique developmental issues of adolescents and their families.
Students can also select coursework designed to help meet professional requirements for certification as a Child Life Specialist. A Child Life Specialist is a member of pediatric health care team that helps hospitalized children and their families deal with the stress of the health care experience.
Students interested in preparing for careers in the Health Professions can choose courses that help them to pursue advanced degrees or additional studies for careers as an occupational therapist, physician’s assistant, or certified nurse-midwife.
Students who are interested in Adult Development and Aging complete a series of courses that will prepare them to work with the older adult population. This option works well for students who are interested in a Gerontology Interdisciplinary Certificate.
EARLY CHILDHOOD LICENSURE PROGRAM
Many students majoring in Human Development and Family Studies have an expressed career interest in childhood education. Some of these students apply to the Early Childhood Teacher Licensure Program administered jointly by the HDFS Department and the School of Education. Annually, approximately 30 applicants are admitted-as a cohort-to the licensure program, which takes two years to complete. HDFS majors who are interested in this program should carefully review the information available on the Teacher Licensure website. They should also visit with Dr. Nancy Rowe in the HDFS Undergraduate Advising Office. Her appointment schedule is posted on the door of Room 100 in the Gifford Building. Her email address is nrowe@cahs.colostate.edu.
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CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS
* Capacity to understand emotional and physical needs of others
* Interest in the empirical research related to human development and family studies
* Ability to inspire respect, trust and confidence
* Ability to identify factors that influence personal development
* Ability to help persons through stressful situations
* Dependable and patient
* Strong written and oral communication skills
* Organized and creative
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POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS
HDFS graduates are prepared to work in a variety of human service settings including youth services and early childhood organizations, elementary, and parent education programs, allied health care, juvenile and adult corrections, family and community services, and long-term care facilities.
HDFS graduates are also well prepared to pursue an advanced degree in the behavioral and social sciences, or other professional programs. Career occupations include but are not limited to:
Family/Social Services
* Caseworker
* Parent educator
* Children-family educator
* Child protection worker
* Services coordinator for low-income families
* Family assistance programs
Human Services
* Program developer and evaluator
* Fundraiser
* Public relations specialist
* Program coordinator
Law Enforcement
* Probation officer
* Youth services worker
* Community corrections officer
* Case manager
* Law enforcement officer
Other
* Non-profit agency administrator
* Shelter program worker
* Residential center manager
* Retirement transition programmer
* Early childhood teacher
* Adult recreation programmer
* Career development specialist
* Family services specialist
* Human Development specialist
* Adult education teacher
* Human resources coordinator
* Youth agency administrator
* Community outreach worker
* Womens program administrator
* Youth intervention & prevention program administrator
* Youth employment & training specialist
* Gerontological Programmer
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RELATED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
* Applied Human Sciences College Council
* Roadhouse
* Crime Victim Support Program
* Women’s Resource Center
* HDFS Academic Interest group (AIG)
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MORE INFORMATION
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
102 Gifford Building
1570 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1570
970-491-5558
http://www.cahs.colostate.edu/hdfs
* Academic and career advising for majors
Career Center
26 Lory Student Center
Lower level, by Student Media
Fort Collins, CO 80523
970-491-5707
http://career.colostate.edu
* Major and career exploration/Job search information
Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA)
TILT Building
801 Oval Drive
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1033
970-491-7095
http://www.casa.colostate.edu
* Academic and Career Advising
Admissions and Undergraduate Recruitment
Ammons Hall
711 Oval Drive
8008 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-8008
970-491-6909
http://www.admissions.colostate.edu
* Admission applications/University visits and tours
General Catalog Online
http://www.catalog.colostate.edu/
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