Helping Rwanda Build an Aviation Hub
Division of Student Life

Rwandan Pilot

 Kent State University's partnership with Rwanda to train the next generation of pilots was recently featured on News 5 Cleveland (WEWS-TV).Five students were selected from 2,600 applicants in Rwanda to train as pilots at Kent State as part of a new partnership with RwandAir, the country's state-owned airline. Once the students graduate, they will be ready to begin flying and training with the carrier.Maureen McFarland, Ph.D., associate dean of academic affairs with Kent State's College of Aeronautics and Engineering, told News 5 Cleveland that the need for pilots across the continent is ...

KSU American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Chapter

Engineering-oriented organization that focuses on professional development and career building in the aerospace and aeronautics sector.
Read More

Visit or Tour

Experience the welcoming energy we are known for by visiting our beautiful campuses. It's part of why so many Kent State students say they knew right away they had made the right choice – because Kent State "feels like home."

Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Earn your B.S. in Human Development and Family Science and make a difference in people's lives! This interdisciplinary program equips you with the skills to support individuals and families in social services, nonprofit work, community outreach and more. With a focus on lifespan development, relationships and diverse needs, you'll graduate ready for an impactful career.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit
Find All Majors

Program Information for Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Program Description

On This Page

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Science offers an interdisciplinary approach to individual and family development. Students receive the knowledge and skills needed to help individuals and families across the lifespan to flourish in a global society. The degree prepares students for a wide range of careers in diverse settings, including family and community-based social services, prevention, nonprofit administration and family and community intervention. Core coursework focuses on development across the lifespan and understanding family relationships, the environments in which individuals live and learn and the unique strengths and needs of diverse individuals and families.

The Human Development and Family Science major requires students to complete a minor or certificate related to their career interest.

Students may apply early to the M.A. degree in Human Development and Family Science and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degrees. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program Policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Examples of Possible Jobs and Salaries*

Child, family, and school social workers

  • 3.4% about as fast as the average
  • 399,900 number of jobs
  • $58,570 potential earnings

Childcare workers

  • -2.9% decline
  • 991,600 number of jobs
  • $32,050 potential earnings

Clinical and counseling psychologists

  • 11.2% much faster than the average
  • 76,300 number of jobs
  • $95,830 potential earnings

Community and social service specialists, all other

  • 4.6% about as fast as the average
  • 119,200 number of jobs
  • $54,940 potential earnings

Counselors, all other

  • 12.6% much faster than the average
  • 69,100 number of jobs
  • $49,830 potential earnings

Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary

  • 3.4% about as fast as the average
  • 3,200 number of jobs
  • $77,280 potential earnings

Marriage and family therapists

  • 12.6% much faster than the average
  • 77,800 number of jobs
  • $63,780 potential earnings

Social and community service managers

  • 6.4% faster than the average
  • 219,800 number of jobs
  • $78,240 potential earnings

Social and human service assistants

  • 6.4% faster than the average
  • 449,600 number of jobs
  • $45,120 potential earnings

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

  • 16.8% much faster than the average
  • 483,500 number of jobs
  • $59,190 potential earnings

Admissions for Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Transfer students visit the admissions website for transfer students for more information.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Identify (a) physical, cognitive, emotional and social dimensions of human development and family relationships; and (b) reciprocal influences of family, school, work and community contexts on human development.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of program development, delivery and evaluation and identify practical implications of human development and family relationship concepts.
  3. Access scholarly sources and critically evaluate empirical research; demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods and principles of research; and effectively communicate ideas.
  4. Recognize the unique strengths and needs of individuals and families and apply knowledge through involvement with and study of diverse populations.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
GERO 44030RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD (WIC) 13
HDF 14027INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
HDF 24011INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES 3
HDF 24012RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS CHILDHOOD 3
or PSYC 20651 CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (KSS)
HDF 25512MANAGEMENT OF FAMILY RESOURCES 3
HDF 34031CULTURAL DIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONS 3
HDF 44018PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
HDF 44020RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADOLESCENCE AND EMERGING ADULTHOOD 3
or PSYC 30651 ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
HDF 44021FAMILY INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY 3
HDF 44023BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTHS (WIC) 13
HDF 44028PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS 3
HDF 44029FAMILY POLICY 3
HDF 44030FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION 3
HDF 44035TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES 3
HDF 44092PRACTICUM IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE (ELR) 23-6
Content Elective, choose from the following:3
HDF 42089
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE (ELR)
HDF 44022
FAMILIES, GENDER AND POWER
HDF 44039
BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS
HDF 44089
FAMILIES IN FLORENCE, ITALY: LOVE, PARENTING AND POLICY (ELR)
HDF 45089
LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES AND OUTCOMES: THE ITALIAN EXPERIENCE (ELR)
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
PSYC 11762GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (KSS) 3
PSYC 21621QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY I 3-4
or SOC 32220
& SOC 32221		 DATA ANALYSIS
and DATA ANALYSIS LABORATORY
PSYC 31574RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (ELR) 3
or SOC 32210 RESEARCHING SOCIETY (ELR) (WIC)
SOC 12050INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (KSS) 3
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
American Civic Literacy Requirement 33
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities 36-9
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional 33-6
Minor or Undergraduate Certificate requirement and General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 429
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

Students may complete 3-6 credit hours of HDF 44092. Credit hours taken beyond 3 will count towards general electives.

3

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Additional category.

4

Students are required to declare and complete a minor or a certificate as part of the human development and family science program. Students may select any minor or certificate available at Kent State, but it should be aligned with the student's overall educational and career goals. Number of credit hours depends on the program selected. A minimum of 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.250 2.000
  • State/federal background checks may be required for some practicum/internship sites. Results indicating one of the disqualifying offenses, whether expunged or current, may result in the inability to be placed in select practicum/internship sites.
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
HDF 24011 INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES 3
PSYC 11762 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (KSS) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
HDF 14027 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (KSS) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
HDF 24012
or PSYC 20651
 RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS CHILDHOOD
or CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (KSS)
3
HDF 25512 MANAGEMENT OF FAMILY RESOURCES 3
HDF 34031 CULTURAL DIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONS 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
HDF 44020
or PSYC 30651
 RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADOLESCENCE AND EMERGING ADULTHOOD
or ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
3
Content Elective 3
American Civic Literacy Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
HDF 44023 BUILDING FAMILY STRENGTHS (WIC) 3
HDF 44035 TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES 3
PSYC 21621
or SOC 32220 and SOC 32221
 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY I
or DATA ANALYSIS and DATA ANALYSIS LABORATORY
3-4
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
HDF 44021 FAMILY INTERVENTION AND ADVOCACY 3
HDF 44028 PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS 3
PSYC 31574
or SOC 32210
 RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (ELR)
or RESEARCHING SOCIETY (ELR) (WIC)
3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
GERO 44030 RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD (WIC) 3
!HDF 44018 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE 3
HDF 44030 FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION 3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
HDF 44029 FAMILY POLICY 3
!HDF 44092 PRACTICUM IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY SCIENCE (ELR) 3
Minor/Certificate Course or General Electives 8
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
    • Salem Campus
    • Stark Campus

What does delivery mean?

Examples of Possible Jobs and Salaries for Human Development and Family Science - B.S.

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
From hometown campus to Ph.D. student: Kent State Trumbull graduate builds a future in neuroscience research

From hometown campus to Ph.D. candidate: Kent State Trumbull graduate builds a future in neuroscience research

When Mary Furlong enrolled at Kent State University at Trumbull, she was looking for a quality education close to home. She found that and much more.A 2023 graduate with bachelor's degrees in neuroscience and psychology, Furlong chose Kent State Trumbull because it offered an affordable, high-quality education in her hometown.Today, the Champion High School graduate is a research technician at Kent State University and a doctoral student pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience, a journey she says began with the opportunities and support she found at Kent State Trumbull."The campus was right down the ...

Kent Ohio Alliance of Design

ko|AD is a Kent State architectural publication founded in 2024. Our mission is to establish a creative community focused on promoting engagement within the design disciplines. This collaborative publication will emphasize student, faculty and regional d
Read More

Hunt Seat Equestrian Team

Hunt Seat horseback riding team showing through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association as a club sport at Kent State
Read More
Subscribe to
© 2026 Kent State University All rights reserved.