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, two concentrations are offered: 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 enhance 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 adviser in order to ensure that program requirements are fulfilled.The student should also consult the adviser 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:

BSC 109 Introductory Biology for Non-Majors II or BSC 114:115 Principles of Biology (N)	4 hrs
PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (SB)	3 hrs

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 (0-5 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.

Course	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
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	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 adviser.

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.

Course	Hours
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
CSM 201 Individual and Family Resource Management	3
CSM 430 Family and Consumer Law	3
HHE 475 Human Sexuality/Sex Education	3
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	40

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 the hospitalized child. 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.

Course	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 426 Hospitalized Children and Youth	3
HD 451 Loss and Bereavement	3
HD 472 Program Evaluation	3
HD 488 Senior Seminar	1
BSC 201 Medical Etymology (Independent Study)	3
BSC 215 Human Biology	3
BSC 216 Human Biology	3
PHL 204 Medical Ethics	3
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	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
Course	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
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
HD 302	3
HD 382	3
Human development electives	6-9
Elective	6
Concentration or minor	12
	--
	30-33
SENIOR YEAR
HES 310	3
HD 423, if applicable	6-12
HD 488	1
Concentration or minor	9
Electives	9
	--
	28-34