Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall
Room 283
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff
Hall is located in the center of campus on Centennial Boulevard and
is
connected to the east end of the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Family Life
Center
(Campus Map)
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT and FAMILY SCIENCE
Human development and family science (HDFS) provides a program of study for students interested in a variety of careers that involve work with children, adults and/or families. Students majoring in HDFS may obtain a bachelor's degree. A master's degree also is available.
Career Interest Areas
Career interest areas available at the undergraduate level include:
- Adolescent Development
- Adult Development and Aging
- Child Development
- Cooperative Extension Service
- Family and Human Services
- Family Economics
- Financial and Consumer Literacy
- Health Services
- Hospital Child Life
- Parenting and Family Life
- Gerontology
The Program
The major emphasis in HDFS programs is family and human development over the life span. Students gain an understanding of the development of children and adults and their interaction in the family and society.
Students majoring in HDFS have five options: child and adolescent development, family science, child development/elementary education, adult development and aging, or family science/social work. Courses include:
- Adolescent Development
- Adult Development and Aging
- Child Development
- Children and Families Across Cultures
- Children, Families and Public Policy
- Introduction to Family Studies
- Issues in Human Sexuality
- Life Span Human Development
- Parent-Child Relations
- Family Dynamics of Aging
- Family Science
Students majoring in HDFS enroll for credit in field experience as a critical part of their program of study. The department offers opportunities to work with children, youth, adolescents, older adults and families in various settings.
Career Opportunities
Career directions through HDFS can be divided into two general areas:
- Direct Service to Children, Adult and Families -- community service worker, outreach worker, parent educator, gerontology outreach, extension agent, financial counselor, child life specialist.
- Support Service to Children, Adult and Families -- program director for nursing or retirement facility, child care director, community and human service worker, consultant in human development, hospital-related services, researcher, child advocate, family life education.
Some of the listed careers require a planned minor or a double major. Other careers require preparations beyond the bachelor's level. An HDFS degree is excellent preparation for students considering graduate work in counseling, family therapy, or child and human development. Study in HDFS provides course work for students interested in careers involving human relations.
Graduates from HDFS are currently employed in a variety of careers. These include extension agent, Head Start program director, child care director, home visitor for Head Start, crisis family counselor, hospital child life specialist, family life educator, developmental disabilities worker, volunteer coordinator, parent support specialist, parent educator, financial counselor and financial planner.
The Facilities
Facilities for the Department of Human Development and Family Science are housed in Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall and the Family Life Center. Included in these buildings are classrooms, conference rooms and a child development center serving young children and their families. The department also operates the NDSU Family Therapy Center.
Community Setting
The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area offers a conducive setting for study. Students have the opportunity to work in a number of community institutions serving children and families. Professionals working with the elderly, child care programs, mental health centers, chemical dependency treatment centers, medical facilities and welfare agencies visit classes and conduct tours to explain their programs for children and families.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Students may enhance their involvement in the HDFS area by participating in groups such as the HDFS Club, the North Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children, and the North Dakota Family and Consumer Sciences Association.
Sample Curriculum
| First Year Experience | |
| HD&E 189 - Skills for Academic Success | 1 |
| Communication | |
| Comm. 110 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Engl. 110, 120 - College Composition I, II | 3, 3 |
| Engl. 325 - Writing in the Health Profession or Engl. 358 - Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences or Engl. 459 - Research and Writing Grants and Proposal |
3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Science & Technology | |
| CSci. 114 - Microcomputer Packages or CSci. 116 - Business Use of Computers |
3 or 4 |
| Science and Technology Electives | 7 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts | 6 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | |
| Psyc. 111 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Soc 110 - Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Wellness | 2 |
| Cultural Diversity | |
| HDFS 475 - Children and Families Across Cultures | - |
| Global Perspective | |
| Total | 40 |
| HD&E 320 - Professional Issues | 1 |
| Total | 1 |
| HDFS 135 - Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 230 - Life Span Development | 3 |
| HDFS 250 - Intro to Research Methods in HDFS | 3 |
| HDFS 320 - Prenatal, Infant and Toddler Development | 3 |
| HDFS 330 - Child Development | 3 |
| HDFS 340 - Adolescent Development | 3 |
| HDFS 353 - Children, Families and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 475 - Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| Field Experience | 5 |
| HDFS Electives | 9 |
| Total | 38 |
| HDFS 135 - Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 230 - Life Span Development | 3 |
| HDFS 242 - Couples, Marriages and Families | 3 |
| HDFS 250 - Intro to Research Methods in HDFS | 3 |
| HDFS 353 - Children, Families and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 357 - Personal & Family Finance | 3 |
| HDFS 462 - Methods of Family Life Education | 3 |
| HDFS 475 - Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| Field Experience | 5 |
| HDFS Electives | 9 |
| Total | 38 |
| HDFS 135 - Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 230 - Life Span Development | 3 |
| HDFS 250 - Intro to Research Methods in HDFS | 3 |
| HDFS 353 - Children, Families and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 460 - Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 475 - Children and Families Across Cultures | 3 |
| HDFS 481 - Gender and Aging | 3 |
| HDFS 482 - Family Dynamics of Aging | 3 |
| Field Experience | 5 |
| HDFS Electives | 9 |
| Total | 38 |
| Curriculum Total | 122 |
This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic advisor or with the Office of Registration and Records.
Contact Information
Heidi Bills, Academic Advisor
College of Human Development and Education
North Dakota State University
Dept #2600
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-9849
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Email:Heidi.Bills@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hde
or
Department of Human Development and Family Science
College of Human Development and Education
North Dakota State University
Dept #2615
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8268
Fax: (701) 231-9645
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hdfs/
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/
(08/12)