• Description of Program
• Admission
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The program in human development and family studies involves the study of human behavior from two perspectives: how we develop over the life span from conception through aging, and how we function within the context of the family and other environmental influences. This multidisciplinary major prepares students for careers in the growing field of human and social services.

Admission

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admit.indiana.edu/.

A newly admitted freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science degree with a major in human development and family studies (HDFS) will receive an offer of direct freshman admission to the HDFS program if he or she meets both of the following criteria:

• The applicant must have earned one of the following minimum standardized test scores: A combined critical reading and math score of 1270 on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or a composite score of 29 on the ACT (American College Test).
• The applicant must have either graduated in the top 12 percent of his or her high school graduating class or earned a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.

Before entering the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation as a human development and family studies major, all other students must meet both of the following criteria:

• The student must successfully complete at least 26 credit hours.
• The student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Indiana University.

Students in the University Division must also declare their intention to major in human development and family studies to the University Division Records Office. Undergraduate students who complete the semester before certification of admission to the school with less than a 2.0 GPA for the semester will be admitted on a probationary status.

International transfer applicants to the School of HPER, whose primary language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper- based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test, is required for direct admission to the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. For students from countries where the TOEFL is not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered. All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take the Indiana University English language examination before registering for course work. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of test results.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering.  Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section.  There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity.  

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements.  If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).  

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency.  If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country.  In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Degree Requirements

This is a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science degree with a major in human development and family studies.  A minimum of 26 successfully completed credit hours and a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) are required for admission to this program.  Graduation requirements include:

• completion of general education requirements.
• completion of human development and family studies major requirements.
• a minimum of 124 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses with the following department code-prefixes: HPER-C, HPER-F, HPER-H, HPER-N, and HPER-S. 
• No Pass/Fail except for free electives.

General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students at IU Bloomington in or after the summer term of 2011 must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2011-2012 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Undergraduate students who matriculate as degree-seeking students on the IU Bloomington campus in the summer or fall terms of 2010, or the spring term of 2011, must complete the School of HPER general education requirements which are described below. Unlike the 2011-2112 Bloomington campus-wide general education requirements, the 2010 School of HPER general education requirements do not include a residency requirement, nor do they restrict the use of extended-term, independent study or correspondence courses.

2010 School of HPER General Education Requirements

English Composition (0 to 3 credits required, C- minimum required in the course used to satisfy this requirement)
Complete one of the following options:

• CMCL-C 110 Writing the World (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 170 Introduction to Argumentative Writing: Projects in Reading and Writing (3 cr. - this topic only)
• ENG-W 131 EX  Elementary Composition by Examination (0 cr.)

Mathematical Modeling (3 to 4 credits required)
Complete one of the following options:

• MATH-A 118 Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
• MATH-D 116 AND MATH-D 117 Introduction to Finite Mathematics I-II (4 cr.)
• MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
• MATH-S 118 Honors Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
• MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite Mathematics for the Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
• MATH-V 118 Finite Mathematics with Applications: Finite and Consumer Mathematics (3 cr.)
• MATH-J 113 Introduction to Calculus with Applications (3 cr.)
• MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus 1 (3 cr.)
• MATH-M 211 Calculus I (4 cr.)
• MATH-M 213 Accelerated Calculus (4 cr.)

Note: The course(s) used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be applied to the natural and mathematical sciences requirement.

Complete either six credits of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses, or a single, approved, five-credit N&M course with a substantial laboratory component. The course used to satisfy the mathematical modeling requirement may NOT also be used to fulfill this requirement. Visit the list of acceptable natural and mathematical sciences (N&M) courses for choices and more information.

Arts and Humanities (6 credits required)     
Complete six credits of acceptable arts and humanities (A&H) courses.

Social and Historical Studies (6 credits required.)
Complete six credits of acceptable social and historical studies (S&H) courses.

World Languages and Cultures (0 to 14 cr., most commonly 6 credits)
There are three options for completion of the world languages and cultures requirement.

• Option one: Complete six credits acceptable world cultures (WC) courses. 
• Option two: Complete the language study (LS) option, by achieving proficiency in a foreign language equal to successful completion of the second year, second semester course. 
• Option three: Complete an approved international experience (IE), and contact the School of HPER recorder to request a notation of completion of this requirement on the academic advisement report.

Major (90cr.)

Professional Core Courses (39 cr.)
A minimum grade of C– is required in each professional core course.
Complete the following courses:

• HPER-F 150 Introduction to Life Span Human Development (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-F 255 Human Sexuality (3 cr.)  +S&H
• HPER-F 258 Marriage and Family Interaction (3 cr.) +S&H
• HPER-F 346 Human Development I—Conception through Early Childhood (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 347 Human Development II—Middle Childhood through Adolescence (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 348 Human Development III—Early, Middle, and Late Adulthood (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 417 African American and Latino Families (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 430 Professional Preparation in Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr.)
• HPER-F 442 Internship in Human Development and Family Studies (6 cr.)
• HPER-F 341 Effects of Divorce on Children (3 cr.) or HPER-F 457 Stress and Resilience in the Family (3 cr.) or HPER-F 460 Grief in a Family Context (3 cr.)
• HPER-H 494 Research and Evaluation Methods in Health and Safety (3 cr.)
• HPER-N 220 Nutrition for Health (3 cr.) or HPER-N 231 Human Nutrition (3 cr.) +N&M or HPER-N 331 Life Cycle Nutrition (3 cr.)

Additional Required Courses (27 cr.)
A minimum grade of C- is required in each additional major course.
Complete the following courses:

• BIOL-L 104 Introductory Biology Lectures (3 cr.) +N&M
• CMCL-C 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.) +A&H
• Computer Literacy: BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3 cr.) or CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3 cr.) +N&M or HPER-P 200 Microcomputer Applications in Physical Education (3 cr.) or HPER-R 237 Computers in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Management (3 cr.)
• MATH/PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.) or HPER-H 391 Introduction to Health Information and Statistics (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 101 Introductory Psychology I (3 cr.) +N&M
• PSY-P 102 Introductory Psychology II (3 cr.) +S&H
• PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)
• SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.) +S&H
• SOC-S 316 Sociology of the Family (3 cr.)

Professional Electives (24 cr.)
Complete 24 credits from the list of acceptable human development and family studies professional electives.  A minimum of 18 of the 24 selected credits must be at the 300/400 level. A minimum grade of C- is required in each professional elective course. In addition to the choices on the list of acceptable professional electives, the academic advisor may suggest other courses.  Please consult with an academic advisor when choosing these electives.

Suggested Human Development and Family Studies Courses for the First-Year Student
Fall Semester
HPER-F150 Intro to Life-Span Development (3 cr.)
ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.) or equivalent
Arts and Humanities /World Languages and Cultures Elective (3 cr.)
SOC-S100 Introduction to Sociology
PSY-P 101 Introduction to Psychology I (3 cr.)

Spring Semester
CMCL-C 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)
HPER-F258 Marriage and Family Interaction (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities Elective  (3 cr.)
World Languages and Cultures Elective (3 cr.)
PSY-P 102 Introduction to Psychology II (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Students participate in required internships with faculty supervision and have other special opportunities, including a career class, individual research with faculty members, and involvement in service and professional organizations.

Careers

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree are equipped to work in community services for families, youth, children, as well as services specifically focused on maternal and paternal needs.  Many graduates with a bachelor’s degree also go on to work with governmental, mental health, and foster care agencies.  Increasing numbers of graduates have been placed in careers of service to those with special needs, as well as with gaining populations.  Graduates can be employed in hospitals, schools, group homes, and nonprofit organizations. They can also work in human resources, customer service, and consumer relations for businesses. In addition, they have an excellent foundation for graduate and professional school where they can prepare to become social workers, counselors, public health professionals, occupational or physical therapists, nurses, and doctors.