Human Development and Family Studies
We examine societal and developmental challenges faced by children, families, and our aging population and train students to meet these challenges in a variety of human service and health settings.
HDFS Programs and Degrees
The B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies features five concentrations to choose from.
This major is for you if you would like to work with children between infancy and 8 years old.
Complete the traditional B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies in three years instead of four.
Get a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies with the flexibility of an online curriculum.
CSU offers a combined BS/MPH degree program where you can receive your bachelor’s degree and the Master of Public Health degree in 5 years.
The Human Development and Family Studies minor provides students across all majors with an opportunity to select course work relevant to their career goals. Students will learn about human development at various stages of the lifespan, within the context of diverse families and social identities.
The Gerontology Minor is for students in any major and will help you to develop an understanding of the aging process.
The nine-credit undergraduate certificate in Youth Mentoring with Campus Connections enables students to develop invaluable professional skills, gain significant experience with adolescents, and evolve as leaders.
Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Initiative
What can you do with an HDFS degree?
All students come in with a general HDFS concentration and then can declare one or two concentrations. The Human Development and Family Studies programs will prepare you for many of the career options below. *Denotes careers that will likely require additional education or credentialing.
- Early Childhood Education Teaching *
- Elementary Teaching *
- Child Life Specialist *
- Adoption Agencies
- Foster Care/Parenting Organizations
- Teaching Abroad
- International Orphanages, Mission Organizations
- Therapy/Counseling *
- Special Education *
- ESL Teaching *
- Recreational Therapy
- Nursing *
- Physician’s Assistant *
- Occupational Therapy *
- Physical Therapy *
- Medical Doctor *
- Allied Health Careers *
- Optometrist *
- Chiropractor *
- Speech Pathologist *
- Public Health *
- Health and Wellness Organizations
- Child Life Specialist*
- Activities Coordinator
- Mental Health Counseling *
- Marriage and Family Therapy *
- Probation Officer
- Parole Officer
- Collegiate Access Programs
- Student Affairs *
- Community Counseling *
- Caseworker *
- Access Programs (Trio programs such as Upward Bound)
- Certified Addictions Counselor *
- School and Career Counseling *
- Grief Counseling*
- Special Education *
- Psychologist *
- Rehabilitation Counselor *
- Adult Literacy and GED Preparation *
- Advocates
- Legal Services
- Event Planning
- Non Profits
- Public Relations
- Public Health *
- Human Resources
- Entrepreneurship (starting a business or nonprofit)
- School Principal *
- Administrative Assistant
- Government Positions
- Fundraising
- Training and Development Managers
- Lawyers *
Involvement in HDFS
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies has a few organizations that align with our majors including SOUL and Gerontology Club.
ConX (pronounced “Connects”) is a grant-funded program designed to help students integrate and create community within the five concentrations in the Human Development and Family Studies major.
The HDFS Peer Mentoring Program is a year-long program that provides new first-year HDFS students who identify as a first-generation and/or a student of color with a supportive community to help them successfully navigate their college transition.
Campus Connections Therapeutic Youth Mentoring program is a high-impact service-learning course (3 credits) at Colorado State University and a program serving local youth.
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100%
Students Complete Internships
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3rd
Highest Number of Undergraduate Degrees Awarded at CSU
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88%
Students Secure Plans Within 6 Months of Graduation
