Virginia Tech

Department of Human Development and Family Science

Last Updated

January 11, 2018

The mission of the Department of Human Development and Family Science is to understand and improve the lives of people of all ages in relationships, families, organizations, and communities.

Program Overview

Program Administrator

Dr. Cynthia L. Smith (director)

Department Emphasis

25% Adult Development & Aging
25% Child/Human Development
25% Family Studies
25% Marriage and Family Therapy

Campus Enrollment

31,000

Program Options

Undergraduate
Master’s
Doctoral

Areas of Study

Development (Child, Human, or Family) - Undergraduate
Family Science/Studies - Doctoral
Family Science/Studies - Undergraduate
Older Adults (Gerontology) - Doctoral
Therapy (Couples, Marriage, or Family) - Doctoral

Department Address

366 Wallace Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0416
United States

Phone Number

540-231-4794

Website

http://www.humandevelopment.vt.edu

Undergraduate Program

Undergrad Program Options

Human Services

Undergrad Courses Offered

Human Development I & II
Infancy & Early Childhood
Middle Childhood & Adolescence
Issues in Aging
Education of Exceptional Learners
Human Sexuality
Family Relationships
Appalachian Communities
Curriculum/Program Planning
Family Law & Public Policy
Gender & Family Diversity
Field Study
Independent Study
Undergraduate Research

Undergrad Comments

The undergraduate program option prepares students for a wide variety of careers and graduate school programs relating to individuals, families, and communities. The program provides both a theoretical and experiential grounding in child and adult development, family and relationship dynamics, professional skills and therapeutic communication techniques, and macro subjects including needs assessment, grantsmanship and program design. All students complete field study experiences in agencies and organizations that match their career interests.

Graduate Program

Graduate Director

Dr. Cynthia L. Smith

Graduate Courses Offered

The Family, Law, & Public Policy
Adult Development & Aging I (Individual Development)
Adult Development & Aging II (Interpersonal Issues)
Legislation and Policy in Human Development
Life Span Development
Human Development Theory: Literature and Applications
Social & Emotional Development in Children
Developmental Transitions & Adaptation
Development of Marriage & Family Research & Theory
Professional Practices in Human Development
Marriage & Family Relationships
Marriage and Family Therapy Research
Perspectives on Human Sexuality
Legislation and Policy in Human Development
Research Methods
Program Development and Evaluation in Human Development
Grant Development and Administration in Human Development
Internship in Human Development
Current Topics in Human Dev
Couples TherapyMFT Techniques
Special Topics in MFT
Prof Development Seminar
Theory Construction in Human Development
Practicum
Independent Study
Parent-Child Interaction
Special Study
Research & Theses
Parent-Child Interaction
Process in Relationships
Social Epidemiology and Health Inequities
Advanced Systems Theory & Family Therapy
Advanced Traditional Models In Marriage and Family Therapy
Clinical Marriage & Family Therapy I, II, III, & IV
Advanced Contemporary Marriage and Family Therapy
Clinical Supervision of Marriage & Family Therapy
Advanced Professional Seminar in Marriage & Family Therapy
Advanced Research Methods
Current Topics in Advanced Research Methods
Research & Dissertation

Master's Level

Masters Program Options

Marriage and Family Therapy
Adult Development and Aging
Child and Adolescent Development
Family Studies

Doctoral Level

Doctoral Program Options

Adult Development & Aging
Child & Adolescent Development
Family Studies
Marriage & Family Therapy

Doctoral Comments

The Ph.D. program can lead to careers in research, college and university teaching, leadership positions in public and private institutions, medical schools, mental health agencies, therapy training centers, and private practice.

CFLE Information

NCFR recognizes schools offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs with course work that follows the Standards and Criteria required for approval as a Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). NCFR approval allows the school to offer their graduates the opportunity to apply for Provisional Certification using the Abbreviated Application process. The CFLE Checklist represents the courses that meet the CFLE criteria at that school. Students must complete all the courses on a checklist in order to qualify to apply for the CFLE designation through the Abbreviated Application process.