Human Development and Family Relations, BS
Introduction
Please click here to see School of Education & Human Development information.
The Human Development and Family Relations (HDFR) Bachelor of Science program prepares students to effectively serve individuals and families in a wide variety of environments. HDFR is committed to a curriculum rich in family diversity and social justice. This 120 credit-hour interdisciplinary program explores family systems and the ecological development of individuals across their life span. The HDFR program leads to certification in the field.
Program Delivery
- This is an on-campus or online program with a variety of delivery options for many of our courses including hybrid, evening, and online courses.
Declaring This Major
- Click here to go to information about declaring a major.
HDFR Policies
Transfer Credit
HDFR is a transfer friendly major. HDFR will accept between 18- 27 transfer elective credits that must be approved by the Registrar and the HDFR Academic Advisor. If a student is transferring from a Non-HDFR/HDFS major they are allowed to petition for an additional 6 credits. All transfer credits must be approved by the HDFR Academic Advisor and HDFR Program Chair. If a student is transferring from a HDFR/HDFS program from another university, they can petition for additional credits to count towards the HDFR major credit. The credits must be a match to be considered for official transfer.
HDFR Passing-Grade Requirements
HDFR courses (for majors/minors) must be passed with a C. C- does not constitute a passing grade; C- may be approved if overall GPA is 2.0 or above with HDFR Program Chair review and approval (an exception may be made in only one course, and this is handled on a case-by-case basis).
HDFR Professional Internship Contact Hours Update
Students are required to complete 200 hours on-site. This is in addition to completing the HDFR 4930 Human Development and Family Relations Internship course (equivalent: 45 contact hours)
- On-Site Hours can be completed in 1 semester, 2 semesters or 1 semester and a summer session. Students can register for variable credits from 1-5 for a total of 5 credits.
Contact Hours:Contact Hours Credit On-site Hours 1.0 40 2.0 80 3.0 120 4.0 160 5.0 200
General Requirements
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the three areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.
- CU Denver Graduation Requirements
- CU Denver Undergraduate Core Curriculum
- School of Education & Human Development Graduation Requirements
- Click here for information about Academic Policies
Program Requirements
- Students must complete a minimum total of 120 semester hours for the Human Development and Family Relations BS.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0, C or better grade, is required for all courses applying to Human Development and Family Relations major requirements.
- Courses can be "double-dipped" - i.e., used to satisfy both a general education requirement and a major course. If double-dipping courses, additional courses in the electives will have to be taken to get to the 120 major required credits.
- Transfer courses must be approved by faculty and/or advisor to apply to the major.
Major Requirements
Take all of the following Human Development and Family Relations major courses with a grade of C or better:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFR 1010 | Life Span Development in Ecological Settings | 3 |
| HDFR 2000 | Introduction to Family and Community Services | 3 |
| HDFR 2080 | Sex, Human Development and Family Systems | 3 |
| HDFR 2200 | Love, Family and Human Development | 3 |
| HDFR 3002 | Preparing to be a HDFR Professional | 3 |
| HDFR 3020 | Black and Latino Children in Families and Schools | 3 |
| HDFR 3250 | Families in Global Perspectives | 3 |
| HDFR 3400 | Love, Couples and Family | 3 |
| HDFR 4001 | Families and Parenting | 3 |
| HDFR 4002 | Family Life and Community Programming I | 3 |
| HDFR 4003 | Leadership and Organizations | 3 |
| HDFR 4004 | Family and Comm. Prog. II Grant Writing/Fundraising | 3 |
| HDFR 4010 | Family and Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| HDFR 4075 | Family Policy & Law | 3 |
| HDFR 4080 | Global Family Resource Management | 3 |
| HDFR 4260 | Family Systems and Social Justice | 3 |
| HDFR 4930 | Human Development and Family Relations Internship | 5 |
| Research & Statistics for HDFR | ||
| A grade of C or better is required: | ||
| RSEM 4100 | Research and Statistics in Families and Human Development | 3 |
| RSEM 4120 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| HDFR Family Diversity | ||
| Select one of the following (a grade of C or better is required): | 3 | |
| Who am I? Cultural Identity, Family, Diverse Soc Sys | ||
| Lifespan Issues in Family Violence | ||
| Leadership for Racial Justice in School and Community Settings | ||
| Latino Families in School and Communities | ||
| Abuelos (Grandparents) Latino Families | ||
| LGBTQ Family Systems | ||
| Family Systems Therapy, Religion and Spirituality | ||
| HDFR Human Development and Learning | ||
| Select one of the following (a grade of C or better is required): | 3 | |
| Global Human Development & Learning | ||
| Child Ecology | ||
| Children's Thinking and Assessment | ||
| Adolescent Ecology | ||
| Adult Ecology | ||
| Families in Later Life | ||
| HDFR Elective | ||
| Select one of the following (a grade of C or better is required): | 3 | |
| Family and Personal Finance | ||
| Latino Families in School and Communities | ||
| Abuelos (Grandparents) Latino Families | ||
| Helping Profession Skills in HDFR | ||
| Families in Later Life | ||
| Family Systems Therapy, Religion and Spirituality | ||
| Trauma Informed Care for Diverse Populations and Co-occurring Disorders | ||
| LGBTQ Family Systems | ||
| Electives 1 | ||
| HDFR concentration areas: | ||
| Total Hours | 68 | |
- 1
In consultation with the HDFR advisor, students may choose courses to complete a minor, certificate and/or HDFR concentration area as long as it supports their career goals. 18 credits of electives are required. If double dipping (using a required HDFR major course to fulfill a general education requirement) more credits will be needed. Transfer students, depending on transferred courses, might not need any electives.
Pre-Individual, Couple and Family Therapy/Counseling
Provides an introduction to clinical helping professions through systems and strengths therapy perspectives, and includes English and bilingual tracks.
Leadership and Community-based Organizations
Provides a comprehensive understanding and preparation for students to work in and lead community-based organizations including secular, faith-based, for-profit, nonprofit, schoolbased, state, federal and international organizations.
Higher Education Environments (Pre-Higher Education and Student Affairs)
Provides students with an introduction to higher education and student affairs administration and possible careers at various universities, community colleges and liberal arts colleges.
Educational Foundations and Social Justice
Provides students with a foundation to understand justice within familial, educational and community settings. This concentration works well with the previously listed concentrations and is also offered in an English and a bilingual track.
Early Childhood Development
Bilingual (Spanish) Family and Community Services
Provides students with the linguistic ability to work with Spanish-speaking families and communities. Courses will be delivered in 70 percent Spanish and 30 percent English. Students in this concentration will also be able to complete any of the other concentrations in the program.
Family Gerontology
Provides students with an ecological understanding of culturally and linguistically diverse families in later life. This concentration provides students with insight about individuals' age in families and the community. It also exposes students to promising practices for better serving older adults.
See advisor for courses to take in the concentration areas and for more information.
To review the Degree Map for this program, please visit our website.