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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCES
GRADUATE STUDIES
Master's in Human Development and Family Science
Doctorate in Human Sciences | Docorate in Marriage and Family Therapy

UNDERGRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY SCIENCE

ANNE SPENCER DAVES College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Department of Human Development & Family Science Website

Department Chair: Peluso; Associate Department Chair: Jeter; Eminent Scholar and Professor: Fincham; Norejane Hendrickson Professors: Cui, Ledermann, McWey, Peluso, Ralston; Associate Professors: Gazelle, Kimmes, Rudaz, Wu; Assistant Professor: Ellis, Li, Wongsomboon Teaching Faculty: Diop, Greene, Harris, Holcomb, Jeter, Tawfiq, Youngberg; Director of the Center for Couples and Family Therapy: Greene; Practicum Coordinator: Jeter; Professors Emeriti: Cornille, Darling, Greenwood, Hansen-Gandy, Hicks, Lee, A. Mullis, R. Mullis, Pasley, Pestle, Rapp, Readdick, Zongker

Degree Program in Human Development and Family Science

The Department of Human Development and Family Science offers one undergraduate degree program in family and child sciences which requires maintaining minimum grades in major courses for graduation.

The program provides an understanding of child development and family relationships across the life span. We emphasize the diversity of families and how children and families influence, and are influenced by, the broader environment (e.g., schools, communities, workplace, society at large) and change over time. Students learn to apply this knowledge about children and families in working with them through an extensive practicum experience. These experiences occur in a variety of human service agencies and organizations, educational settings, childcare centers, and child and family advocacy organizations. Students also gain skills in developing and implementing programs designed to strengthen individuals and families. There is a series of courses that provides the necessary background to apply for certification from the National Council on Family Relations to become a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE). It does not lead to teacher certification in Florida.

Students must complete a required elective course (successful completion of at least three credit hours offered by the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, but outside the department), three prerequisite courses to the major (which are: CHD 2220, FAD 2230, and STA 2XXX), a minor or an approved area of concentration in an allied field, and a 150-hour practicum experience. Individuals who apply for the major, but who have not met the prerequisite requirements are classified as Prerequisite Incomplete (PI) and cannot enroll in upper-division courses required for the major until prerequisite courses are successfully completed. All courses attempted for the Human Development and Family Science major must be taken for a letter grade. No courses taken for Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (S/U) or for Pass or Fail (P/F) can be counted toward the degree. Courses selected for the minor or area of concentration cannot also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. As of the 2026-2027 academic year, the minimum grade required in all courses is “C–”. This change is retroactive to students on older plans.

Curriculum guides stating specific degree requirements for the undergraduate majors are available through the Department of Human Development and Family Science and through the Human Development and Family Science website.

Minor

A minor in child development may be earned by completing 12 credit hours in human development and family sciences with a grade of “C–” or better in each of the required courses: CHD 2220, CHD 3243, FAD 2230, and FAD 3343. At least nine credit hours must be completed at Florida State University; no more than one substitution for these courses is permitted.

Digital Literacy Requirement

Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:

  • Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information

  • Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications

  • Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology

  • Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications

  • Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively

  • Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically

Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement.

This requirement may also be satisfied through CHM 1045L, BSC 2010L, or another FSU course with an approved computer competency component.

State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites for Human Development Family Sciences

The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network page. 

FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in Human Development Family Science. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit the Human Development and Family Sciences Requirements page.

Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.

Honors in the Major

The Department of Human Development and Family Science offers a program in honors in the major to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter of this General Bulletin.

Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science (BS/MS) Pathway in Human Development and Family Science

The Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science (BS/MS) Pathway in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) allows academically qualified Florida State University undergraduate students majoring in HDFS to begin graduate‑level coursework while completing the bachelor’s degree. Through this pathway, students may apply up to 10 credit hours of graduate‑level coursework toward both the BS in Human Development and Family Science and the MS in Human Development and Family Science, subject to program approval. This pathway enables students to complete the master’s degree in a shorter time frame and to strengthen preparation for advanced professional and research‑oriented careers.

The combined pathway is designed to enhance students’ skills in research, data‑based decision making, and translating research into practice. Students completing the BS/MS pathway gain advanced training relevant to higher‑level and in‑demand careers in human services and community settings, such as family and community program coordination, policy analysis, mediation‑related roles, and related professional fields.

Undergraduate students approved for the pathway may enroll in graduate‑level HDFS coursework while completing the bachelor’s degree. These shared credit hours may count toward both the 120 credit hours required for the bachelor’s degree and the total credit hours required for the MS degree, in accordance with departmental and Graduate School policies.

Admission to the Combined BS/MS Pathway is limited to current FSU undergraduate students majoring in Human Development and Family Science and is available for fall semester entry only. Admission is not deferred. Applicants must be admitted to upper‑division status in the HDFS major and meet the published GPA requirements, including a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a major GPA of 3.5, at the time of application.

Participation in the Combined BS/MS Pathway does not constitute admission to the MS program. Students must submit a separate application to the MS in Human Development and Family Science by the appropriate graduate admissions deadline and meet all program admission requirements. Graduate‑level courses completed as an undergraduate are subject to departmental approval for application toward the MS degree. Any graduate‑level course completed with a grade lower than a “B” is not eligible to count toward the master’s degree.

Graduate Study

The Department of Human Development and Family Science offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree in family and child sciences, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in human sciences with specialization in human development and family science, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in marriage and family therapy. For further information relating to graduate coursework and thesis, dissertation, and master's and doctoral examinations and defense, consult the Graduate Bulletin.

Definition of Prefixes

See the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Courses page for the list of courses offered by the College.

CHD—Child Development

FAD—Family Development

HEE—Home Economics Education

HOE—Home Economics: General

IDS—Interdisciplinary Studies