The human development and family science curriculum focuses on interpersonal relationships, their connection to, and their impact on human flourishing in families and communities. Skills are applied as students conduct family science research and complete internship hours in local community settings. This major has three concentrations that students can choose to pursue:

Child Development Education Concentration

Prepares students for work in early childhood settings as teachers and/or administrators. This concentration is a collaboration between the Department of Human Development and Family Science and the Department of Teacher Education.

Child Life Concentration

Prepares students to work in a medical setting to provide emotional support and coping strategies for children and their families facing short- and long-term hospital stays. Upon completion, students submit their coursework for review to the Child Life Council and must pass an exam to become certified child life specialists.

Gerontology Concentration

Prepares students to provide services and research for those in the later stages of life. Special emphasis is placed upon how aging affects the individual as well as the family.