The requirements for the bachelor of science and arts (BSA) degree are designed to give each student an opportunity to combine a core mathematics or science experience with an interdisciplinary curriculum that complements his or her major.

Students pursuing the BSA will major in a discipline within the College of Natural Sciences and minor in a field of study that allows them to explore applications of their major in the broader society, see the impacts of the sciences in other fields of study, and develop a complementary expertise, which supports multidisciplinary study. The flexibility and interdisciplinary nature of this degree makes it an excellent choice for students interested in medical school and other health professions.

About the Department

The Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at UT-Austin has a lifespan developmental perspective that focuses on the exploration of the psychological, social, and biopsychosocial processes that lead individuals and families to a spectrum of outcomes, from productivity, health, and well-being at one end to illness, dysfunction, and distress at the other. All of our HDFS majors participate in our practicum course in which students choose from a variety of internship options including working with community partners, getting hands-on experience working with young children and families at The Priscilla Pond Flawn Child & Family Laboratory, and working directly with our faculty in their research labs. Our graduates have numerous and varied post-college careers in health professions, counseling, non-profit organizations, and teaching to name just a few.

HDFS at UT-Austin is a dynamic program that is among the nation's best interdisciplinary departments. Our faculty are award-winning teachers, leaders in prestigious scientific societies, recipients of national and international awards for outstanding research accomplishments and distinguished careers, and recipients of major grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and numerous private foundations. Our senior faculty are among the elite researchers in the discipline, and our junior faculty are some of the field's brightest up and coming stars.