Online Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies Program Guide

Social issues and shifting cultural norms are constantly transforming society, impacting individuals, families, and communities worldwide. These changes heighten the need for qualified professionals who can understand the nuances in human relationships.

Learn to help others navigate life’s intricacies and challenges with the Maryville University online bachelor’s in human development and family studies. Explore the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of people and families across the lifespan — and in the context of the greater world.

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At a glance

Access coursework 100% online

Apply with no fee and no SAT/ACT required

Get field ready through service learning opportunities and advocacy projects

Choose a track that aligns with your passion: Early Childhood Development, Youth Development, Family Life Education, or Adult Development and Aging

Focus your education on children’s unique needs and challenges with an optional Child Life Specialist concentration

Curriculum

Maryville’s online human development and family studies program combines general education requirements with core coursework and a number of electives that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests. It also blends research, theory, and fieldwork to align with standards set by the National Council on Family Relations, Child Development Council, Child and Youth Care Certification Board, and the Association of Child Life Professionals.

Our program comprises 128 credit hours, including 75 degree credits in addition to your general education requirements. As you earn your degree, you can build your base of knowledge to prepare for future certification assessments, such as Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) and Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences (CFCS).

Human Development Family Studies Core Courses

HDFS 101	Introduction to Family Science
PSYC 254	Human Development through the Lifespan
HDFS 361	Family Diversity: Forms and Functions
HDFS 202	Family and Community Partnerships
HDFS 303	Interpersonal Relationships
SOC 330	Human Sexuality

SOC 305	Family Violence Through the Lifespan
HDFS 400	Family Law, Policy and Advocacy
HDFS 244	Understanding Research in HDFS
HDFS-493	Senior Experience: Child Life Professional Portfolio
HDFS 498	Senior Experience: Internship
HDFS 499	Senior Experience: Capstone

Child Life Specialist Concentration

Select one: BIOL 108, BIOL 115, BIOL 101, or BIOL 102

HDFS 120	Intro to Child Life
HDFS 220	Infant and Toddler Development
HDFS 320	Developmental Play and Learning
HEPR 108	Medical Terminology
HEPR 355	Counseling Skills for Healthcare Professionals

HDFS 494	Child Life Field Experience
HDFS 495	Child Life Practicum
PSYC 311	Child Psychology
PSYC 314	Adolescent Psychology

Early Childhood Development Track

HDFS 220	Infant and Toddler Development
HDFS 320	Developmental Play and Learning

HDFS 420

Best Practices in Child Guidance

To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry demands. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.

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Admission requirements

High school diploma or GED
Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (high school) / 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (college)*
Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended
Official high school transcript (required for applicants with fewer than 60 transfer hours from a regionally accredited school)

*Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be considered for provisional admission.

Eligible transfer credits accepted; associate degree completion may satisfy general education requirements
- Click to view our transfer credit policy
- The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University
No standardized tests required

Explore our additional resources to help guide your admissions journey.

Accreditation and rankings

Named an “Apple Distinguished School” for 2021-2024

Ranked a “Best National University” for 2022 by U.S. News & World Report

Why Maryville Online?

We’ve been progressively challenging the norms of higher education for nearly 150 years. We started as one of the first universities to educate women. Today, we continue to push the boundaries and prepare students like you for a digital world. At Maryville, we understand what it takes to step beyond your comfort zone.

Maryville University is a nationally ranked private college recognized for comprehensive and innovative education focused on student learning, outcomes, and success — both online and on campus. We’re located just 22 miles from downtown St. Louis.

Enhance your skills. Broaden your career.

Top 3 skills you can develop:

Communication
Interpersonal Relationships
Critical Thinking

Top 3 careers you can pursue:

Preschool and childcare center director
Community service manager
Mental health or behavioral health counselor

Faculty spotlight

Angie Walston, M.S., CFLE

Instructor, Human Development and Family Studies

Meet Angie Walston. She’s a Certified Family Life Educator with more than a decade of experience working with children and families — and she’s excited to share her knowledge with you.

Professor Walston brings her years of experience into the classroom, so you can learn firsthand from a professional what it’s like in the field. She has worked with adoptive families and contributed to attachment research at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. She also worked as a family life educator at the Parenting Center in FortWorth, Texas, and served as a weekly parenting expert for CBS 11 — a local news outlet in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

When you study human development and family studies at Maryville, you can benefit from the vast experience of faculty members like Professor Walston.

Start your journey today

Learn more about the Maryville University online bachelor’s in human development and family studies.