Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 University Catalog 
    
2017-2018 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Developmental and Family Science, BS


About the Program

The Developmental and Family Science curriculum allows students to take an interdisciplinary approach to studying families and human development across the lifespan. Students receive a broad education in human development and family studies, with many opportunities for specialization, including optional concentrations in child development or family and community health. The major culminates in a capstone experience, designed by the student from among three choices: an internship, a research thesis, or a study abroad experience. This degree will prepare you to work with families in the contexts of schools and communities or for you to pursue an advanced academic degree.

Degree Requirements


120 Credits Required

HDFS Selectives - Select 0 - 12 credits


If NOT completing a concentration, student must complete 12 credits of HDFS Selectives.

If completing a concentration, student must complete 6 credits of HDFS Selectives. 

If completing two concentrations, no HDFS Selectives are required.

Courses may not be double-counted to fulfill both this requirement and a concentration or capstone requirement.

  • HDFS course - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • HDFS course - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • HDFS course - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • HDFS course - Credit Hours: 3.00

Capstone Experience - 6 - 8 credits


Students must propose their capstone plan and receive Undergraduate Committee (Capstone Subcommittee) approval.  All capstones must be clearly relevant to the major.

If the student is completing a concentration, the capstone experience must have a clear connection to the student’s designated concentration.  If a student chooses to complete more than one concentration, the capstone experience must have a clear connection to all of the student’s designated concentrations.

Select ONE of the following three options:

Thesis Option

Must have completed statistics requirement and HDFS 34600  before beginning thesis capstone.

The six credits of HDFS 49100  must be completed across two consecutive semesters.

Internship Option

Study Abroad Option

  • Study Abroad experience* - Credit Hours: 6.00

OR

  • Study Abroad experience* - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Select additional course from Global Perpectives & International Cultures List - Credit Hours: 3.00

OR

  • Study Abroad experience* - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Fourth semester of foreign language (must be same language as in “Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements” section) - Credit Hours: 3.00

*To count toward the capstone experience, a study abroad experience must involve a minimum of 18 days abroad.

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (41 - 47 credits)


Electives (34 - 54 credits)


When selecting electives, note that 32 credits of upper division (30000/40000 level) classes must be completed to meet graduation requirements.

Optional Concentrations


Please note that to complete a concentration, your required capstone experience (above) must also be related to the concentration(s).

Child Development Concentration - CHLV (12 credits)

Family & Community Health Concentration - FCHL (11 credits)

Note


*Also fulfills Humanities University Foundational Core Requirement

University Core Requirements


  • Human Cultures Humanities
  • Human Cultures Behavioral/Social Science
  • Information Literacy
  • Science #1
  • Science #2
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • For a complete listing of course selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.

Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.

Program Requirements


16 Credits


Spring 1st Year


16 Credits


Fall 2nd Year


15 Credits


Spring 2nd Year


15 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


  • HDFS Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Opt. Concentration Course or Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • CORE: Science, Technology, & Society - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


  • HDFS Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Opt. Concentration Course or Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Fall 4th Year


  • Capstone Experience- Thesis, Study Abroad or Internship Option ² - Credit Hours: 2.00 - 6.00
  • HDFS Selective¹ or Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Opt. Concentration Course or Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 2.00
  • Elective(s) - Credit Hours: 0.00 - 4.00

14 Credits


Spring 4th Year


  • Capstone Experience- Thesis, Study Abroad or Internship Option ² - Credit Hours: 2.00 - 6.00
  • HDFS Selective¹ or Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Opt. Concentration Course or Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 2.00
  • Elective(s) - Credit Hours: 0.00 - 4.00

14 Credits


Notes


At least 32 credits of coursework required at 30000 level or higher to meet graduation requirements.

¹ If not doing an optional concentration, students must complete 12 hours of HDFS Selectives.

² There is also a Study Abroad Capstone Experience option.  Courses and credit hours are dependent upon the Capstone Experience that you choose. Please see your academic advisor for further information.

Foreign Language Courses


Foreign Language proficiency requirements vary by program.  For acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor:

American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, (ancient) Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical. A Critical Course is one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.