Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) focuses on helping children, families, and relationships thrive. Our students and faculty work from a lifespan ecological perspective on development and families, recognizing and supporting the many forms of diversity in individuals, families, developmental pathways, and contexts. We focus on discovering and applying new knowledge to strengthen individuals, families, relationships, and communities, and on preparing the next generation of professionals to serve and lead.
Programs
Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) focuses on helping children, families, and relationships thrive. The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers majors in addiction and recovery studies (A&R), early childhood education (ECE), and human development and family studies (HDFS). In the HDFS major, three concentrations are offered: adolescence and youth development, child life, and family life education and advocacy. For non-majors, the department offers minors in addiction and recovery studies and human development and family studies.
The department offers three different majors, and therefore, it is possible to double-major within the department. However, to double-major among the majors offered by the department, students must meet the requirements for both majors, and for any concentrations selected. Only HD 202, HD 205, HD 302, HD 325, HD 382, HD 472, HD 475, and HD 220/PY 211/BER 345 are permitted to apply toward the completion of multiple majors within the department.
Faculty
Department Head
- Robert D. Laird
Professor
- Hernandez-Reif, Maria
Associate professors
- Burns-Nader, Sherwood
- Scofield, Jason
- Totenhagen, Casey
- Witte, Tricia
Assistant professors
- Banse, Holland
- Berryhill, Blake
- Blitch, Kimberly
- Casper, Deborah
- Downs, Karly
- Gajos, Jamie
- Kendrick, April
- Komara, Cecile
- Love, Heather
- Weymouth, Bridget
Professors Emeriti
- Hudson, Carmen
- Enders, Linda
- Jesse, Peggy
- Ladewig, Becky
- Stinnett, Nancy
- Stinnett, Nick
- Strickland, Martha S.
Courses
An introductory survey of basic principles of human development across the life span. Developmental principles are studied within the framework of change and stability in the domains of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development.HD 101 counts toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement of the UA Core.
The growth and development of the child from conception to three years of age are studied. Methods used in infant research, practical implications of research, and major theoretical issues and observational techniques are addressed. Three lecture hours, one laboratory hour per week. HD 202 and HD 205 cannot be taken in the same semester.