OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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When you understand the human experience, you help us all grow stronger.
Learn why our differences are our greatest strengths
Find Early Childhood Career Development program deadlines and application here
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
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.
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.
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.
Latino Community Association is a key connector with the immigrant community in navigating their new life. 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.” After graduation, Peraza Murguia plans to focus on her four boys while continuing to work with LCA. Her goal is to return to OSU-Cascades to receive her Master of Counseling 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.
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.
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 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.
We're here to help! Future students can connect with an OSU-Cascades admissions advisor for admission and program questions.
