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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.
Start your journey
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 120 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
Select one: HDFS 494 or HDFS 495
HDFS 120 Intro to Child Life
HDFS 220 Infant and Toddler Development
HDFS 320 Developmental Play and Learning
HEPR 109 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
REL 301 Religion, Death, and Dying
Early Childhood Development Track
HDFS 220 Infant and Toddler Development
HDFS 320 Developmental Play and Learning
HDFS 420 Best Practices in Child Guidance
Youth Development Track
HDFS 310 Trends for 21st Century Youth
PSYC 311 Child Psychology or PSYC 314 Adolescent Psychology
HDFS 410 Programming & Supervision of Youth
Family Life Education Track
HDFS 230 Family Resource Management
HDFS 430 Family Life Education Practice
HDFS 330 Parent and Child Interactions
Adult Development and Aging Track
SRLM 150 Introduction to Gerontology
PSYC 340 Social Aspects of the Aged
HDFS 440 Careers, Ethics & Aging Populations
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
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.