Major in Life

When you understand the human experience, you help us all grow stronger.

     

Top-Ranked Program

OSU has the #5 Human Development and Family Sciences program in U.S.

  

Nearly 100%

of students participate in internships and service learning

  

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Learn why our differences are our greatest strengths

Intern in the Community

Latino Community Association is a key connector with the immigrant community. As a client services assistant, Marlene Peraza Murguia, Human Development and Family Sciences major, was the first person non-English speakers saw when they walked through the doors of LCA in Redmond. “I feel honored they trusted me to help solve problems.” Marlene also surveyed Latina mothers in Central Oregon to learn what support services would be most helpful in the future.

About the Degree

We help others. When you understand how individuals and families are influenced, you can help make a community better.  

Students in the human development and family sciences program work with peers and faculty to explore the human lifespan, from early childhood to end of life, and all the phases in between. You’ll examine challenges facing contemporary families and communities – from parenting, poverty, religion, race, social class and sexuality to interpersonal communications.

It’s a journey of self-discovery, and one that gives you tools to help individuals and families live better lives. That’s because whether you focus on the general, early childhood or human services option, you’ll study a variety of disciplines — psychology, biology, sociology, genetics, education, anthropology, public health and social policy — that give you a broad understanding of what it means to be human.

You will have an impact.

By the time you’re ready to graduate, you’ll be prepared for a career or graduate study in education, early intervention, prevention science, psychology, counseling, social work, social service, or public health and public health policy.

Undergraduate Degree Offered

Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences

  • Degree Requirements
  • HDFS majors select at least one specialty option to complete their major requirements

Options in the HDFS Major

The Early Childhood option prepares students to promote lifelong development, learning, and wellbeing of children and families. Through a focus on the early childhood period from prenatal through age 8 years, students examine dynamics among children, families, schools, communities, and cultures that have lasting impacts throughout life. New! The Early Childhood Career Development Program will help you get up to 45 academic credits toward your HDFS degree at no cost.

The general option enables you to take an interdisciplinary approach to families and human development across the lifespan within the contexts of school, work and communities.

The Human Services profession is dedicated to improving the human condition by intervening during crises, preventing future crises, helping people access resources and advocating for change in the systems that affect the lives of those in need.

Minors

A minor in human development and family sciences can enhance your major field of study and career path — and give you an added advantage. Choose from these options. Learn more.

  • Early childhood development and education
  • Human development and family sciences

Jumpstart A Career in Early Learning + Save Up to $12,000 in Tuition

  • Get up to 45 academic credits toward your HDFS degree at no cost.
  • Work part-time with children while taking classes
  • Learn from a faculty mentor.
  • Receive valuable career placement advising for a regional teaching position.
  • Build experience to meet Oregon qualifications to be an early learning child care teacher.

Find Early Childhood Career Development program deadlines and application here

  Helping Students of All Ages

Professor Shannon Lipscomb is in the classroom and out in the world, working to make it better. Her research team includes experienced investigators and undergraduate students. Together they examine ways to help our youngest children stay safe at home and thrive at school. In one project, researchers are helping teachers and child care providers encourage resilience in preschool children who have experienced trauma. The work is hard, and important. Everyone learns from each other.

What Can I Do With My Degree?

Human Services Field and Nonprofits: Our communities need people who understand the needs of others, and can help them lead successful lives. You’ll find HDFS graduates working in state and county agencies that help those in need, and leading nonprofit organizations that fill gaps where others can’t.

Teaching: HDFS students make natural teachers, and many of our alumni have been accepted into the OSU-Cascades graduate teaching program and now teach in elementary, middle and high schools.

Counseling: Many HDFS graduates have gone on to the OSU-Cascades graduate counseling program and embarked on careers as clinical counselors or school counselors.

Real Experience

Nothing brings your classroom studies to life better than an internship, practicum or research experience. With expert faculty researchers, and relationships with more than 60 nonprofit organizations and agencies in the community and around the state, we help you find right-fit experiences where you’ll make meaningful contributions and grow professionally.

Sample Courses

  Contemporary Families in the U.S.
Human Sexuality
Infant and Child Development
Families and Poverty
General Psychology
Adolescent Development
Applied Research Methods
Family Violence and Neglect
Introduction to Sociology
Principles of Statistics
Adult Development and Aging
Technical Writing

Helping Families

Helping people has always been Raquel Diaz's ('22) calling. Born and raised in Madras, Raquel transferred to OSU-Cascades from COCC to complete a human development and family sciences degree, while working full-time at MountainStar Family Relief Nursery. As a family interventionist, she helps families under high stress find resources like childcare, counseling and basic supplies. "I learned so much at OSU-Cascades about my field, myself and how to implement that knowledge in my work," she said.

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We're here to help! Future students can connect with an OSU-Cascades admissions advisor for admission and program questions.