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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Human Development and Family Science Major, BS in Health and Human Sciences
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 Return to: Undergraduate Degrees, Majors, Concentrations, Minors, and Certificates
Program Policies and Progression Requirements
The Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) major is designed for students whose educational and career goals are focused on studying and working with children and families within community services and other professional settings. The major is designed to accommodate the special interests or strengths of students to allow for flexibility and individualization. Students design a program of study in consultation with their advisor that includes a set of required courses, a complement of courses across the social sciences that support individual interests, and a 6-hour internship that will complete their program of study. All students graduating with a major in HDFS will have in-depth knowledge about individuals and families, a broad integrative perspective, and means for application. Students must complete a total of 15 credits of Advanced Social Science coursework. Advanced Social Science courses may not be used to fulfill any other elective requirement. This required program of coursework culminating in internship meets the current eligibility requirements for certification as a “Certified Family Life Educator” (CFLE) through the National Council on Family Relations’ approved program mechanism. Students interested in applying for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator are encouraged to pursue the steps indicated at ncfr.org.
Progression Requirements
Students are expected to know the criteria they must meet in order to progress into internship (HDFS 480N , or HDFS 490 ) and to regularly monitor their progress in meeting these criteria. Students will not be allowed to progress into internship until these criteria are met. If students do not appear able to meet these criteria, they are encouraged to work closely with their advisor to plan an alternative educational program. Specific information on how to apply for the internship is available from the student’s advisor. Students must work closely with their advisor to ensure that they understand the requirements for progression and that they strictly follow the application process for the internship experience of their choice.
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Honors Program
HDFS majors have the opportunity to participate in the college’s honors program. For eligibility and requirements, see College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Honors Program .
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Campus: Knoxville, Distance Education
uTrack Requirements
Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester, known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students. Term 3
Select One Course: Term 5
- 1 Engaged Inquiries Elective 3 Credit Hours *
- 2 Unrestricted Electives 6 Credit Hours
Term 6
- 3 Advanced Social Science Electives 6 Credit Hours
Term 7
- 3 Advanced Social Science Electives 3 Credit Hours
Term 8
- 3 Advanced Social Science Electives 6 Credit Hours *
- 2 Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours 120-121
Footnotes
- Chosen from Volunteer Core list. At least one of the natural sciences electives must have a laboratory.
- At least 48 hours in 300-400 level courses are required.
- Advanced Social Science Electives: Students must complete 15 credit hours of upper division (300-400 level) coursework in anthropology, Africana studies, communication studies, counselor education, educational psychology, history, human development and family science, Latin American and Caribbean studies, political science, psychology, public health, recreation and sport management, social work, sociology, and/or women, gender, and sexuality studies. A course may not be used to fulfill any other elective requirement. Check the Undergraduate Catalog for any prerequisites required for these courses.
- Meets Written Communication and Applied Oral Communication requirements.
- HDFS 480N and HDFS 490 require a cumulative GPA of 2.5; completion of all prerequisites enforced by the registration system; completion of at least 30 hours of HDFS credit; a minimum grade of C in all CFS/HDFS and COUN courses required for degree; completed application; student conduct and criminal background clearance. At the time of enrollment in HDFS 480N, students should have no more than 15 credits remaining for degree completion. HDFS 480N is typically completed in one semester but may be completed in two semesters by advisement. HDFS 490 may be completed over one or two semesters.
- Degree completion requires C or better in all required HDFS and COUN coursework.
* Meets Volunteer Core Requirements . |
Return to: Undergraduate Degrees, Majors, Concentrations, Minors, and Certificates
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