Human Development and Family Science
The field of human development and family science is dedicated to enhancing the relationships among individuals, families, communities and the environments in which they function. The educational and professional field of human development and family science take leadership in improving individual, family, and community well-being; impacting the development, delivery, and evaluation of consumer goods and services; influencing the creation of policy; and shaping societal change, thereby enhancing the human condition.
Students completing the degree may apply for provisional certification as a Certified Family Life Educator. MSU's human development and family science major (formerly known as family and consumer sciences major) is awarded at the completion of a baccalaureate degree and coursework in the 10 family life substance areas. After two years of work experience, the student may apply for full CFLE certification. Students are also encouraged to complete the courses required to take a national exam for the certification as an Accredited Financial Counslor (HDFS 138, HDFS 337, and HDFS 359).
Students in human development and family science take foundation courses in content areas based upon the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) standards. In addition, students take restricted supporting courses in the program.
There are three options available:
- Child Development
- Family and Consumer Sciences Education (teaching option)
- Human Development and Family Science
Child Development Option
The child development option emphasizes the development, education, and well-being of young children within the context of family, school, and community. Throughout the program, students are actively engaged in a variety of settings that include children, their families, and other early childhood professionals. Coursework and field experience provide multiple opportunities for applied understanding of children's growth and development, building family and community relationships, conducting observations and assessments, understanding developmentally appropriate practices, and promoting the well-being of young children and their families.
The child development option will appeal to students with professional interests including parent education, early intervention, resource and referral, advocacy, and childcare teaching and program administration. Graduates will be highly qualified for careers in a wide variety of settings including early care and education, early intervention and preschool special education settings, child-focused programs, community agencies, state or federal agencies, and nonprofit settings that support children and families. The child development option provides a strong background for admission to graduate programs in early childhood education, child development, child and family studies, social work, counseling, and other related behavioral and social science disciplines. Students are required to take 15 or more credits in a directed elective pathway, minor, or certificate.
Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all required courses as outlined in the major.
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| HDFS 101IS - Indiv and Fam Dev: Lifespan | 3 | |
| HDFS 138 - Survey of Family Finance and Consumer Issues | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| WRIT 101W - College Writing I | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 3 | |
| EDEC 160 - Early Childhood Development | 3 | |
| M 105Q - Contemporary Mathematics | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| University Core IH/IA/D/IN | 6 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| EDEC 108 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 2 | |
| EDEC 288 - Signing for Early Childhood Educators | 3 | |
| HDFS 263 - Relationships and Fam Systems | 3 | |
| NUTR 221CS - Basic Human Nutrition | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| EDEC 253 - Nutrition & Physical Activity in Early Childhood | 3 | |
| HDFS 237 - Managing Work and Family | 3 | |
| HDFS 260 - Middle Childhood and Adolescent Development | 3 | |
| HDFS 271 - Statistical Measures of Well-Being | 3 | |
| University Core IH/IA/D/IN | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 14 | 15 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| EDEC 350 - Play and Learning in Early Childhood | 3 | |
| EDSP 306 - Exceptional Learners | 3 | |
| HDFS 371 - Research Methods in HHD | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 3 | |
| University Core IH/IA/D/IN | 3 | |
| EDEC 450 - Literacy in the EC Classroom | 3 | |
| HDFS 315 - Communication and Marketing in Community Education | 3 | |
| HDFS 334 - Contemporary Housing Topics | 3 | |
| HDFS 460 - Parenting | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| EDEC 430 - Social and Emotional Development in the Young Child | 3 | |
| HDFS 359 - Theories and Skills for the Human Services | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| HDFS 457 - Family Life Education | 3 | |
| HDFS 494 - Seminar/Workshop | 1 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| EDEC 498 - EC Internship | 3 | |
| HDFS 451 - Trauma and Recovery: A Lifespan Perspective | 3 | |
| HDFS 464 - Gender, Race, Class, and Family Diversity | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 6 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 15 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
Directed Elective Pathways (15 credits minimum)
Directed elective pathways are provided to guide student learning in specific career areas. The program faculty will work with students transferring into the program or who have career goals outside of the listed pathways to approve directed electives not listed. Courses may be counted only once on your program of study.
Family-Centered Human Services
This pathway prepares students to work in areas such as child protective services, family life education, mental health graduate school preparation.
| CHTH 210 | Foundations in Community Health | 3 |
| HDFS 261 | Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| Complete at least 9 credits from the following options: | 9 | |
| Drugs and Society | ||
| Health and Culture: A Global Perspective | ||
| Health Disparities | ||
| Human Response To Stress | ||
| Undergraduate Research ECE | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Personal and Family Finance I | ||
| Curric Dev in FCS Education | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| The Ethic of Care | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Children's Developmental Health
This pathway prepares students to work in areas such as preparation for certificate programs or graduate school related to work as a child life specialist, occupational therapist, nurse, physical therapist, speech language pathologist.
| EDEC 249 | Infant/Toddler Development and Group Care | 4 |
| M 121Q | College Algebra | 3 |
| Complete 9 credits within at least 3 of the following areas: | 9 | |
| Biology | ||
| Organism Function | ||
| Integrated Physiology I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| College Chemistry I | ||
| College Chemistry I Lab | ||
| Physics | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Early Intervention
This pathway prepares students to work in areas such as home visiting, early childhood and family mental health services)
| CHTH 210 | Foundations in Community Health | 3 |
| EDEC 249 | Infant/Toddler Development and Group Care | 4 |
| EDEC 491 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Choose at least 6 credits from the following options: | 6 | |
| Drugs and Society | ||
| Caregiving & Aging Families | ||
| Health Disparities | ||
| Assessment and Intervention | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| The Ethic of Care | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Children's Programming
This pathway prepares students to work in areas such as after-school programming, museum programming, summer programs, other non-profit or community-based agencies)
| CHTH 210 | Foundations in Community Health | 3 |
| Choose 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Philosophy and Programs in Extension | ||
| Health and Culture: A Global Perspective | ||
| Health Disparities | ||
| Human Response To Stress | ||
| Leadership Foundations | ||
| Critical Thinking, Writing and Leading | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Early Childhood Teaching and Program Administration
This pathway prepares students to work as a lead teacher, director, or program administrator in childcare programs.
| EDEC 260 | Administration of Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| EDEC 249 | Infant/Toddler Development and Group Care | 4 |
| EDEC 385 | Integrated Curriculum Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDEC 395 | Early Childhood Clinical Experience | 1 |
| EDEC 495 | Early Childhood Practicum/Student Teaching | 4 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Students may also complete credits in one or more of the following areas based on their career goals, such as: anthropology, education, history, geology, geography, liberal studies, music, Native American studies, psychology, women's gender and sexuality studies.
Family and Consumer Sciences Education Option
The family and consumer sciences education (FCS Ed) option prepares effective educators who empower individuals and families to manage challenges of living and working in a diverse, global society. Since education is a people-centered profession, the program focuses on characteristics of various learners, learning principles, and different applications of the teaching-learning process.
The FCS Ed program is a versatile major due to the preparation of the student as both an educator and a family and consumer scientist. Teachers in this area are in high demand across the state and the nation because they are qualified to teach many different subject areas, including nutrition and foods, interior design, child and human development, financial literacy, clothing and textiles, and more. MSU's family and consumer science education students have nearly a 100% pass rate on the Praxis exam (required of all teachers) and 100% job placement after they graduate.
This program is a good fit for individuals who want to make a positive difference, have strong communication and leadership skills, and work well with other people, especially adolescents.
Career Opportunities
A wide variety of career opportunities in the field are possible. Graduates are employed in both traditional and nontraditional teaching settings primarily including:
-
Family & Consumer Sciences Classroom Teacher (grades 5-12 licensed in Montana)
-
Youth Services Specialist
-
Extension Educator
Completion of the family and consumer sciences education option prepares undergraduate students to pursue graduate degrees in a variety of areas including human development and family science, curriculum and instruction, school counseling, and adult education.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is the culmination of the teaching program. Students have the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired in college courses under the supervision of an experienced family and consumer sciences educator. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will be recommended for a Montana teaching license in Family and Consumer Sciences grades 5-12. For more information on admission to the Teacher Education Program, Student Teaching, Licensure, Professional Expectations, National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and more.
Suggested Minors/Certifications
FCS Education students are encouraged to further increase their professional opportunities with a minor or certification.
Students may also choose to minor in FCS Education while majoring in another licensure area to enhance their employability. Health Enhancement, Elementary Education, Agriculture Education, and Mathematics are frequent combinations.
Program of Study
The curriculum at MSU follows the National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers and the National Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences Students. The FCS Ed program works closely with the Food & Nutrition, Early Childhood Education P-3, Child Development, Hospitality Management, and Interior Design programs to ensure that students receive well-rounded preparation. Students have up to 9 elective credits to specialize their training in a Career and Technical Pathway area.
Note: The teaching option requires 120 credits.
Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all required courses as outlined in the major.
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| CULA 102 - Introduction to Culinary Arts | 3 | |
| CULA 105 - Food Safety Sanitation | 1 | |
| HDFS 101IS - Indiv and Fam Dev: Lifespan | 3 | |
| HDFS 138 - Survey of Family Finance and Consumer Issues | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Directed Elective | 2 | |
| AGED 253 - Ag Ed in Public Schools | 3 | |
| EDU 223IS - Educ Psych and Adolescent Dev | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| M 105Q - Contemporary Mathematics | 3 | |
| WRIT 101W - College Writing I | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| EDU 211D - Multicultural Education | 3 | |
| EDU 370 - Integrating Tech into Educ | 3 | |
| HDFS 237 - Managing Work and Family | 3 | |
| HDFS 263 - Relationships and Fam Systems | 3 | |
| NUTR 221CS - Basic Human Nutrition | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| HDFS 271 - Statistical Measures of Well-Being | 3 | |
| NUTR 226 - Food Fundamentals | 3 | |
| NUTR 227 - Food Fundamentals Lab | 2 | |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 2 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 16 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| EDSP 306 - Exceptional Learners | 3 | |
| EDU 382 - Assessmt, Curric, Instructn | 3 | |
| HDFS 371 - Research Methods in HHD | 3 | |
| University Core | 6 | |
| HDFS 334 - Contemporary Housing Topics | 3 | |
| HDFS 337 - Personal and Family Finance I | 3 | |
| HDFS 450 - Curric Dev in FCS Education | 3 | |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| EDP 304 - Practicum: 5-12/K-12 | 2 | |
| EDP 305 - Practicum Lab: 5-12/K-12 | 1 | |
| EDU 347 - Managing the Learning Environment for K-12/Secondary | 2 | |
| EDM 412 - Methods: 5-12 Family Consumer Science | 3 | |
| HDFS 359 - Theories and Skills for the Human Services | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 6 | |
| EDU 495R - Student Teaching | 12 | |
| Year Total: | 17 | 12 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
Directed Electives
Choose 9 credits from a track below:
| Human Services: Early Childhood | ||
| EDEC 108 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 2 |
| EDEC 160 | Early Childhood Development | 3 |
| EDEC 350 | Play and Learning in Early Childhood | 3 |
| Human Services: Human Development and Family Science | ||
| HDFS 260 | Middle Childhood and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| HDFS 261 | Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 464 | Gender, Race, Class, and Family Diversity | 3 |
| or HDFS 465R | Family Law & Public Policy | |
| HTH 220 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| Human Services: Consumerism | ||
| ECNS 101IS | Economic Way of Thinking | 3 |
| HDFS 315 | Communication and Marketing in Community Education | 3 |
| HDFS 464 | Gender, Race, Class, and Family Diversity | 3 |
| HDFS 465R | Family Law & Public Policy | 3 |
| Human Services: School Context | ||
| HDFS 260 | Middle Childhood and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| HDFS 359 | Theories and Skills for the Human Services | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| Hospitality & Tourism: Hospitality Managment and Culinary Arts | ||
| HTR 107 | Intro to Hospitality Mgmt | 3 |
| HTR 201 | Hotel Management & Operations | 3 |
| HTR 220 | Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry | 3 |
| Education and Training | ||
| EDU 101US | Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDU 204IA | Arts & Lifelong Learning | 3 |
| EDU 331 | Lit and Literacy for Children | 3 |
| EDU 411 | ESL:Teaching Culturally/Linguistically Diverse K-12 Students | 3 |
| Visual Arts & Design: Interior Design | ||
| ARCH 121IA | Introduction to Design | 3 |
| IDSN 101 | Intro to Interior Design | 3 |
| IDSN 135 | Fundamentals of Space Planning | 3 |
| Foundations of FCS | ||
| EDEC 160 | Early Childhood Development | 3 |
| HTR 107 | Intro to Hospitality Mgmt | 3 |
| HDFS 464 | Gender, Race, Class, and Family Diversity | 3 |
| or HDFS 465R | Family Law & Public Policy | |
| Informational Education (Cooperative Extension, non-profits, etc.) | ||
| HDFS 315 | Communication and Marketing in Community Education | 3 |
| HDFS 455R | Program Planning and Administration in Family & Consumer Sciences | 3 |
| AGED 309 | Philosophy and Programs in Extension | 3 |
| HDFS 457 | Family Life Education | 3 |
Human Development and Family Science Option
The human development and family science option is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers working with individuals and families. The program focuses on the social-emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, cultural, and societal aspects of human development across the lifespan (infancy, middle childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and late adulthood). Individuals develop in family contexts, and this program integrates the in-depth study of the family as a dynamic social unit. The program focuses on family behavior, strengths, and challenges using family-specific theoretical frameworks (family systems, family crisis) and research methods. Social, cultural, historical, political, and economic trends that influence family functioning and well-being are addressed. Students study a wide range of family issues including relational dynamics, parenting, human response to stress and crisis, family policies and laws, family finance and economics, work and family issues, and human services delivery and decision-making.
The human development and family science option provides a strong background for students seeking careers in human services, family life education, family policy, and financial counseling. The curriculum prepares students to work in a wide range of organizations and settings (community-based social services, family intervention, business, government and public policy, faith-based organizations, healthcare and family wellness, and non-profit organizations). The degree program also prepares students to be strong candidates for graduate programs in marriage and family therapy, counseling, family financial planning, human development, family science, social work, law, and other related behavioral and social science disciplines.
Students completing the degree may apply for provisional certification as a Certified Family Life Educator. MSU's human development and family science major (formerly known as family and consumer sciences major) is accredited by the National Council on Family Relations. Provisional certification is awarded at the completion of a baccalaureate degree and course work in the 10 family life substance areas. After two years' work experience, the student may apply for full CFLE certification. Students are also encouraged to complete the courses required to take a national exam for the certification as an Accredited Financial Counselor (HDFS 138, HDFS 337, and HDFS 359).
Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all required courses as outlined in the major.
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| HDFS 101IS - Indiv and Fam Dev: Lifespan | 3 | |
| HDFS 138 - Survey of Family Finance and Consumer Issues | 3 | |
| M 105Q - Contemporary Mathematics | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
WRIT 101W - College Writing I | ||
or University Core | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
EDEC 160 - Early Childhood Development | ||
HDFS 260 - Middle Childhood and Adolescent Development | ||
HDFS 261 - Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
| University Core | 6 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| CHTH 205 - Drugs and Society | 3 | |
| HDFS 237 - Managing Work and Family | 3 | |
| HDFS 263 - Relationships and Fam Systems | 3 | |
| NUTR 221CS - Basic Human Nutrition | 3 | |
| University Core | 3 | |
| HDFS 271 - Statistical Measures of Well-Being | 3 | |
| HTH 220 - Human Sexuality | 3 | |
| Electives - Lower Division | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 3 | |
| University Core | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| HDFS 359 - Theories and Skills for the Human Services | 3 | |
| HDFS 371 - Research Methods in HHD | 3 | |
| Directed Electives (Upper Division) | 6 | |
| Directed Electives | 3 | |
| CHTH 435 - Human Response To Stress | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
HDFS 334 - Contemporary Housing Topics | ||
HDFS 337 - Personal and Family Finance I | ||
| HDFS 315 - Communication and Marketing in Community Education | 3 | |
| HDFS 460 - Parenting | 3 | |
| Directed Electives (upper Division) | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| HDFS 457 - Family Life Education | 3 | |
| HDFS 465R - Family Law & Public Policy | 3 | |
| HDFS 494 - Seminar/Workshop | 1 | |
| Directed Electives (Upper Division) | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | 3 | |
| Electives | 2 | |
| HDFS 451 - Trauma and Recovery: A Lifespan Perspective | 3 | |
| HDFS 455R - Program Planning and Administration in Family & Consumer Sciences | 3 | |
| HDFS 464 - Gender, Race, Class, and Family Diversity | 3 | |
| HDFS 498 - Internship | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
Students are required to take 21 or more credits in a directed elective pathway, minor, or certificate. Approved minors and certificates include: Business Administration minor, Gerontology certificate, Personal and Consumer Finance minor, Psychology minor, Sociology minor, or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor.
Directed Elective Pathways
Family-Centered Human Services (e.g, case management, mental health graduate school preparation, social work graduate school preparation) 21 credits
| PSYX 100IS | Intro to Psychology | 4 |
| SOCI 201D | Social Problems | 3 |
| PSYX 340 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Complete at least 11 credits from the following: | ||
| CHTH 414 | Health and Culture: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| EDEC 490R | Undergraduate Research ECE | 1-6 |
| EDEC 491 | Special Topics | 3 |
| HDFS 337 | Personal and Family Finance I | 3 |
| HDFS 450 | Curric Dev in FCS Education | 3 |
| HDFS 490R | Undergraduate Research | 1-6 |
| HTH 455 | The Ethic of Care | 3 |
| PSYX 375 | Behavior Modification | 3 |
| PSYX 385 | Psychology of Personality | 3 |
| PSYX 481 | Judgment & Decision Making | 3 |
Leadership in Family Youth Programming (e.g., preparation for Cooperative Extension, after-school programming, summer programs, other non-profit or community-based agencies) 21 credits
| AGED 309 | Philosophy and Programs in Extension | 3 |
| HTR 107 | Intro to Hospitality Mgmt | 3 |
| HTR 330 | Event Management | 3 |
| HLD 121US | Leadership Foundations | 3 |
| HLD 221 | Critical Thinking, Writing and Leading | 3 |
| Complete at least 6 credits from the following: | ||
| AGED 363 | Agricultural Youth Event Planning & Management | 3 |
| CHTH 325 | Leadership & Public Policies in Aging | 3 |
| EDEC 491 | Special Topics | 3 |
| HDFS 419 | STEAM: Clothing & Textiles Instruction in FCS | 3 |
| HDFS 450 | Curric Dev in FCS Education | 3 |
| HDFS 490R | Undergraduate Research | 1-6 |
| HTH 455 | The Ethic of Care | 3 |
| WRIT 221 | Intermediate Tech Writing | 3 |
Pre-Professional School (e.g., preparation for medical school, physical therapy school, law school, etc.) minimum of 21 credits
The human development and family science program will accept prerequisites for healthcare (e.g., medical school, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dental school) graduate/professional education and law school. For preparation in health professions, students should work with the Health Professions Advising office to determine coursework required for specific goals. For law school, students should work with the Pre-Law Advising office to determine coursework required for specific goals.