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[College of Human Environmental Sciences]
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES (HD)
Professor Stephen Thoma, Department Chairperson
Office: 106 East Annex
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers majors in early childhood education (ECE) and in human development and family studies (HD). Concentrations are provided in each major. In the ECE major one concentration, early child development is currently offered. In the HD major, four concentrations are offered: family studies; adolescent and youth development; general human development and family studies; and child life.
In addition to selecting a major and concentration, a student may also select a minor in order to enhance his or her program of study and career opportunities. Other University of Alabama academic divisions offer many appropriate minors. Requirements for these minors are found in the sections of this catalog pertaining to those divisions. The student should select a concentration and/or minor in consultation with a departmental advisor in order to ensure that program requirements are fulfilled. The student should also consult the advisor before choosing elective courses.
All students majoring in human development and family studies must take the following courses as part of the University core requirements:
| Courses | Hours | |
| BSC 109 Introductory Biology for Non-Majors II or | ||
| BSC 114:115 Principles of Biology (N) | 4 | |
| PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (SB) | 3 |
In addition, please note that every student in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies is required to select an existing concentration or propose his or her own personalized concentration. In the event that a student wishes to propose a personalized concentration of courses, he or she must make application following a prescribed process. Students interested in this option should contact the chairperson of the department.
Major in early childhood education (ECE). The major in early childhood education is designed to provide students with an understanding of the growth and development of young children (0-8 year olds). Students in this major have a concentration in early child development (ECD). In this concentration, students learn to apply developmental principles in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs for young children. At present, no public school certification is associated with this degree.
Each student completing the early child development concentration must have an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher before enrolling in HD 423 (Human Development and Family Studies Internship). Some internship opportunities require an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should contact the internship coordinator for further information.
| Courses | Hours | |
| HD 202 Child Development: Infancy and Toddlerhood | 3 | |
| HD 205 Child Development: Preschool | 3 | |
| HD 302 Child Development: Adolescence | 3 | |
| HD 382 Parent and Family Development | 3 | |
| HD 321 Conceptual and Creative Experiences for Young Children-I | 3 | |
| HD 322 Conceptual and Creative Experiences for Young Children-II | 3 | |
| HD 422 Administering Children's Centers and Programs (W) | 3 | |
| HD 423 Human Development and Family Studies Internship | 6 | |
| HD 472 Program Evaluation | 3 | |
| HD 488 Senior Seminar | 1 | |
| SPE 471 Developmental Perspectives of Young | ||
| Children with Disabilities | 3 | |
| ___ | ||
| 34 |
Major in human development and family studies (HD). The major in human development and family studies provides an understanding of growth and development throughout the lifespan. Following are descriptions of the concentrations available to HD majors, including courses required in each concentration. There are also recommended elective courses to enhance the various programs of study. A list of these courses is available from the student's departmental advisor.
Concentration in family studies. The concentration in family studies provides an understanding of the development of the family system and the dynamics of family relationships. It may lead to certification as a Family Life Educator by the National Council on Family Relations. This concentration prepares students to work in a variety of educational and enrichment programs such as parenting programs, family service agencies, industry, schools, social-service, churches, home economics, and 4-H extension. This concentration is also well suited for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in marriage and family therapy as well as other areas in family studies.
Each student completing the family studies concentration must have an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher before enrolling in HD 423 (Human Development and Family Studies Internship). Some internship opportunities require an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should contact the internship coordinator for further information.
| Courses | Hours | |
| CSM 201 Individual and Family Resource Management | 3 | |
| CSM 430 Family and Consumer Law | 3 | |
| HD 202 Child Development: Infancy and Toddlerhood | 3 | |
| HD 205 Child Development: Preschool | 3 | |
| HD 262 Marriage and the Family | 3 | |
| HD 302 Child Development: Adolescence | 3 | |
| HD 382 Parent and Family Development | 3 | |
| HD 423 Human Development and Family Studies Internship | 6 | |
| HD 462 Interpersonal Relationships | 3 | |
| HD 472 Program Evaluation | 3 | |
| HD 483 Family Life Education (W) | 3 | |
| HD 488 Senior Seminar | 1 | |
| HHE 475 Human Sexuality/Sex Education | 3 | |
| ___ | ||
| 40 |
Concentration in adolescent and youth development. The adolescent and youth development concentration is planned for students who are interested in the growth and development of adolescents and youth within the family, peer, and school contexts. The goal of this concentration is to prepare students for work in a variety of settings including community-based programs, home-based programs, and mental-health agencies. Additionally, this concentration provides the necessary background for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in adolescent and youth development. The curriculum consists of the HDFS core courses as well as specialty courses that highlight adolescent and youth issues.
Each student completing the adolescent and youth development concentration must have an overall GPA of 2.00 and higher before enrolling in HD 423 (Human Development and Family Studies Internship). Some internship opportunities require an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should contact the internship coordinator for further information.
| Required courses | Hours | |
| HD 202 Child Development: Infancy and Toddlerhood | 3 | |
| HD 205 Child Development: Preschool | 3 | |
| HD 302 Child Development: Adolescence | 3 | |
| HD 382 Parent and Family Development | 3 | |
| HD 423 Human Development and Family Studies Internship | 6 | |
| HD 462 Interpersonal Relationships | 3 | |
| HD 472 Program Evaluation | 3 | |
| HD 488 Senior Seminar | 1 | |
| HHE 378 Drug Awareness/Education | 3 | |
| HHE 475 Human Sexuality | 3 | |
| PY 372 Social Psychology | 3 | |
| ___ | ||
| 37 |
| CJ 240 Youth Development and Juvenile Delinquency Control or | ||
| SW 208 Social Services for Delinquents and Their Families | 3 |
Concentration in general human development and family studies. The general HDFS concentration provides a flexible program for students interested in preparing for professional work or further study related to children and families through coursework only (there is no internship requirement). This program of study is especially relevant for students who would like to pursue advanced coursework in preparation for professional degrees (e.g., medical school). Other students who might find this option appropriate include students who wish to double major within four years, or students who for family or employment reasons find a semester-long internship a particular hardship.
| Required courses | Hours | |
| HD 101 Human Development | 3 | |
| HD 202 Child Development: Infancy and Toddlerhood | 3 | |
| HD 205 Child Development: Preschool | 3 | |
| HD 262 Marriage and Family | 3 | |
| HD 302 Child Development: Adolescence | 3 | |
| HD 382 Parent and Family Development | 3 | |
| ___ | ||
| 18 |
Choose four courses from the following block (12 hours):
| HD 301 Child Development: School Age |
| HD 412 Adult Development |
| HD 422 Administering Children's Centers and Programs |
| HD 462 Interpersonal Relationships |
| HD 472 Program Evaluation |
| HD 480 Children and Divorce |
| Approved HD course at the 300 or 400 level |
Choose four courses from the following block (12 hours):
| CJ 240 Youth Development and Juvenile Delinquency Control or | ||
| SW 208 Social Services for Delinquents and Their Families | ||
| CSM 201 Individual and Family Management | ||
| CSM 430 Family and Consumer Law | ||
| HHE 378 Drug Awareness/Education | ||
| HHE 475 Human Sexuality | ||
| SPE 471 Developmental Perspectives of Young Children with Disabilities | ||
| PSY 372 Social Psychology | ||
| ___ | ||
| 42 total hours |
Concentration in child life. The child life concentration is planned for students who wish to study and work with children and youth in health care settings. The curriculum consists of a comprehensive foundation of courses related to the growth and development of the healthy child as well as children with illnesses. Through specific courses, students participate in laboratory and practicum experiences with children. These experiences, along with the theoretical information, provide a foundation necessary for working with hospitalized children and their families. This curriculum enables a student to become a candidate for the national certification exam administered by the Child Life Certifying Committee of the Child Life Council. Students must make application to the child life program after completion of 60-90 hours with at least 12 hours of HD courses. Acceptance and retention in the program are determined by (a) satisfactory recommendation by HD faculty committee and (b) overall grade point average of 2.2 and an average of 2.5 in HD courses.
| Courses | Hours | |
| BSC 201 Medical Etymology (Independent Study) | 3 | |
| BSC 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | |
| BSC 216 Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 | |
| HD 202 Child Development: Infancy and Toddlerhood | 3 | |
| HD 205 Child Development: Preschool | 3 | |
| HD 302 Child Development: Adolescence | 3 | |
| HD 382 Parent and Family Development | 3 | |
| HD 321 Conceptual and Creative Experiences for Young Children-I | 3 | |
| HD 322 Conceptual and Creative Experiences for Young Children-II | 3 | |
| HD 422 Administering Children's Centers and Programs (W) | 3 | |
| HD 423 Human Development and Family Studies Internship | 6 | |
| HD 426 Hospitalized Children and Youth | 3 | |
| HD 451 Loss and Bereavement | 3 | |
| HD 472 Program Evaluation | 3 | |
| HD 488 Senior Seminar | 1 | |
| PHL 204 Medical Ethics | 3 | |
| ___ | ||
| 49 |
Minor in human development and family studies. The minor in human development and family studies requires 18 hours including HD 202, HD 205, HD 302, HD 382, HD 462 and one HD elective at the 300 or 400 level.
SAMPLE CURRICULUM FOR THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES MAJOR
| FRESHMAN YEAR | ||
| Courses | Hours | |
| EN 101 and EN 102 or (EN 103) (FC) | 6 | |
| HES 100 | 3 | |
| BSC 109 or BSC 110 (N) | 4 | |
| Computer science (C) or foreign language (FL) | 3-4 | |
| Math (MA) | 3 | |
| PY 101 (SB) | 3 | |
| History (HI) and social and behavioral sciences (SB) | 9 | |
| ___ | ||
| 31-32 | ||
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | ||
| Courses | Hours | |
| HD 202 | 3 | |
| HD 205 | 3 | |
| Computer science (C) or foreign language (FL) | 3-4 | |
| Natural science (N) | 4 | |
| Humanities (HU) and fine arts (FA) | 12 | |
| Human development elective or concentration courses | 3 | |
| ___ | ||
| 28-29 | ||
| JUNIOR YEAR | ||
| Courses | Hours | |
| HD 302 | 3 | |
| HD 382 | 3 | |
| Human development electives | 6-9 | |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Concentration or minor | 12 | |
| ___ | ||
| 30-33 | ||
| SENIOR YEAR | ||
| Courses | Hours | |
| HES 310 | 3 | |
| HD 423, if applicable | 6-12 | |
| HD 488 | 1 | |
| Concentration or minor | 9 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| ___ | ||
| 28-34 | ||
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