The undergraduate curriculum in Human Development and Family Studies provides a general background for work with children, families, adolescents, and adults in a variety of human service and community settings. The program of study leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Students are required to complete the following core curriculum (this curriculum only applies to students who entered the program in 1999 or later):

• 1 credit personal and career development (HDF180)
• 15 credits of core courses including: HDF200, 201, 202, 205 and 230
• any two courses consisting of a concurrent  observation/participation experience. Courses include HDF203, 306, 310/311, 312, and 314

Building on this experience, students complete a 12 credit concentration in one of the following areas:

• Professional Content for Child Settings: Any 12 credits from HDF302, 357, 400, 430, 432, 434, 455 and 456.
• Professional Content for Family and Community Settings: Any 12 credits from HDF357, 418, 421, 428, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 437, and 440.

To enhance their concentration, students are required to complete 12 credits of professional electives including HDF450 - Introduction to Counseling. Professional electives must be approved in consultation with an advisor. Nine of the twelve credits must be at the 300 level or above. Field experience does not meet this requirement.

Students who wish to meet the requirements for the Early Childhood Education Certificate in Rhode Island must apply to the Early Childhood Education Program through the Office of Teacher Education in Quinn Hall. Portfolio review and a minimum GPA of 2.5 are required for admission to this program.

Students who are interested in the Family Financial Counseling and Planning Certificate take 21 credits in place of the Professional Electives. The students select two courses from HDF210, 225 and 428 and take all of the following five courses HDF418, 424, 426, 450 and 451.

Students complete their program with six to fifteen credits of senior level field experience chosen from the following options - HDF477. 478 (family finance students only), 480, 481; EDC 484, 485 (early childhood education students only), HDF497 and ITR 301 and 303.

Generally, students have from 17 to 27 credits of free electives to reach the 20 credit Bachelor of Science degree requirement.