Human Development and Family Science Degree (BS)

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Science at Indiana State?

The Human Development and Family Science bachelor’s program at Indiana State equips you with knowledge and professional skill sets to support children’s healthy development, enhance family dynamics, and address the social and behavioral health challenges that confront today’s families.

Make a difference and build a career.

Working with families and children offers both challenges and opportunities to implement change.

Indiana State’s Human Development and Family Science program prepares you to meet those challenges as a qualified professional who helps build strong, healthy families from an informed educational perspective.

In addition to coursework in the major, you will gain experience by completing an internship with agencies that serve children and families. These internship hours are integral to learning the practical skills required of professionals in the field.

Upon graduation, you will have met the requirements for the nationally recognized Certified Family Life Educator designation. You will possess the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed for a successful career in public or private agencies that serve the needs of children and families.

Learn from our Excellent Faculty

You will benefit from small classes taught by award-winning faculty. Most hold doctoral degrees and engage in research and scholarly activities.

All faculty are dedicated to your success. They will assist you with professional development, including career paths, internships, and other issues related to your professional growth.

Enrich Your Learning

As a human development and family science major, you will have many opportunities to enrich your studies.

You may participate in the student chapter of the Indiana Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (INAFCS), an organization of professionals who collaborate to improve the quality of individual and family life through communication, educational programs, and influencing public policy. Other opportunities include the Alpha Phi Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, a national honor society in family and consumer sciences.

What You’ll Learn in the Human Development and Family Science Program (BS)

The bachelor’s in human development and family science offers you an interdisciplinary approach that includes psychology, sociology, health, and families, with an emphasis on education and prevention.

Coursework in the major includes a required core, plus courses in areas such as: applied family theory; child, adolescent, and adult development; family and child welfare; family relationships; and parent education, among others.

You will also complete two semesters of practicum in agencies that serve children and families.

Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.

Transfer Guidelines

Career Possibilities for Human Development and Family Science Majors

Our graduates typically work in the human service realm at federal, state, or local agencies that serve the needs of children and/or families. Some pursue advanced degrees to specialize in areas such as counseling, psychology, social work, human resources, and related fields.

Employers hire our graduates in Human Development and Family Science include Head Start, the Indiana Department of Child Services, Big Brother/Big Sister, assisted living/memory care facilities, court-appointed special advocates, and the Community Alliance and Services for Young Children, among many others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow 10% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.

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Maximize Your Experience at Indiana State

Explore our Honors College to learn how you can maximize your college experience with faculty mentors, undergraduate research, internships, and Honors housing. Students in the Honors College also enjoy opportunities to travel across the nation and abroad for conferences, service-learning trips, and immersive academic and cultural studies.

Learn About the Honors College