The Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development & Family Studies offers an in-depth education about human development and well-being across the lifespan, with a focus on relational health, including infant mental health, parenting, couples, and other family and social relationships. Students take specialized courses in policymaking, research methods, prevention and intervention, and ethnic/cultural diversity in families.
In addition to high-impact learning experiences and coursework, all students engage in a professional semester-long internship in a community or research setting related to their major and career goals. These settings include mental health organizations, early childhood education centers, healthcare agencies, legislative offices, university advising units, research labs, human resources, criminal justice systems, child and family life education programs, and other community-based organizations.
Human Development & Family Studies offers excellent preparation for students interested in graduate/professional school in areas such as clinical healthcare and public health; counseling and mental health; early childhood, K-12 and higher education; family law; social work and case management; occupational and physical therapy; program evaluation and applied research; and the child life profession.
Human Development & Family Studies students may choose to pursue these additional credentials while completing their degree:
- Certified Family Life Educator credential, provided by the National Council on Family Relations, recognized in the U.S. and Canada for Family Life Education professions
- Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement, provided by the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health, which promotes the social-emotional development of children from newborn to 6 years within the family and community context
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) accredited by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)
For more information on these credentials, please contact the Advising & Career Center.
How to Get in
Current UW–Madison Students
Students within their first 60 GPA credits at UW-Madison
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are able to declare. For information on how to declare, see: https://go.wisc.edu/sohe-declare. |
| Courses required to get in | None. |
| GPA requirements to get in |
|
| Credits required to get in | None. |
| Other | Must be in good academic standing with their current school or college. |
All other students (who do not meet the declaration criteria above)
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | Application required. Meeting the requirements listed below does not guarantee admission. (https://go.wisc.edu/sohe-apply) |
| Courses required to get in | None. |
| GPA requirements to get in | None. |
| Credits required to get in | None. |
| Other | Must be in good academic standing with their current school or college. |
| Semester | Deadline to apply | Decision notification timeline |
|---|---|---|
| To apply for a fall start | The fifth Friday of the term. | Students will be notified about decisions approximately one month after the application deadline. |
| To apply for a spring start | The fifth Friday of the term. | Students will be notified about decisions approximately one month after the application deadline. |
| To apply for a summer start | This program does not accept applications to start in the summer. |
Prospective UW-Madison Students
All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the central Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Students who indicate interest in Human Development and Family Studies on their UW–Madison application will be admitted to the major upon admittance to the University. In addition, students may indicate interest in Human Development and Family Studies when registering for Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR).
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
School of Human Ecology BS Requirements
All Human Ecology majors share the requirements listed below. Each major has additional requirements. A single course can simultaneously count toward university, school, and major requirements if it carries the relevant designations
| Human Ecology Breadth | 6 credits in the School of Human Ecology (CNSR SCI, CSCS, DS, HDFS, INTER-HE) taken outside of the home department of the major. Excludes INTER-HE 202 or 601. |
| Communication A | Complete either:
|
| Communication B | One course with the Communication B designation. |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | Complete either:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning B | One course with the Quantitative Reasoning B designation. |
| Humanities/Literature/Arts | 9 credits with the Humanities, Literature, or Language designations. |
| Social Science | 9 credits with the Social Sciences designation. |
| Natural Science | 9 credits with the Biological, Natural, or Physical Science designations. |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 credits with the Ethnic Studies designation. |
Graduation Requirements
| Cumulative Credits | Students must earn 120 degree credits. |
| Quality of Work | Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation. |
| Residency | Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison. |
Human Development and Family Studies Requirements
A complete list of requirements is below. Students should follow the curriculum requirements in place at the time they entered the major. This requirement list should be used in combination with a DARS report.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| PSYCH 202 | Introduction to Psychology | 3-4 |
| Human Development in Context | ||
| HDFS 174 | Introduction into Cultural Diversity of Families | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Development of the Young Child | ||
| Human Development in Infancy and Childhood | ||
| Child Development | ||
| HDFS 263 | Development from Adolescence to Old Age | 3 |
| HDFS 316 | Stress and Resilience in Families Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| HDFS 345 | Ecology of Child Health and Well-Being | 3 |
| Research Foundations | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Methods of Sociological Inquiry | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Statistics for Sociologists I | ||
| Data Science Modeling I | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Methods | ||
| Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering | ||
| Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Basic Statistics for Psychology | ||
| Depth | ||
| Select 9 credits from the following courses. At least 6 credits must be any HDFS course numbered 300 or above that is not already being used to meet other program requirements. | 9 | |
| Finances & Families | ||
| Clinical Communication Skills | ||
| Global Health and Communities: From Research to Praxis | ||
| Human Development in Adolescence | ||
| Adult Psychopathology | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Positive Psychology and Well Being | ||
| Sociology of Health and Medicine | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Sociological Perspectives on the Life Course and Aging | ||
| Application | ||
| Career Readiness & Research | ||
| INTER-HE 202 | SoHE Career & Leadership Development | 1 |
| HDFS 253 | Human Development & Family Studies Leadership Symposium | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Internship | ||
| Research Experience in Human Development and Family Studies | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Developmental and Family Assessment | ||
| A Family Perspective in Policymaking | ||
| Parent Education and Support Programs | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select courses to bring degree credit total to 120 | ||
Child Development: Named Option
Students may elect to pursue a named option instead of the completing the Human Development and Family Studies requirements listed above.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply a developmental lens to describe lifespan human development in context, with emphasis on individual, family and community diversity
- Apply a relational lens to understand interpersonal and internal family processes (e.g., relational health, parent-child relationships, couple relationships, family health and well-being)
- Use systems thinking to describe how individuals and families affect and are affected by their social and ecological contexts (e.g., communities, institutions, policies, cultures), with an emphasis on building a more just and equitable society
- Critically evaluate and ethically apply interdisciplinary social science research to promote health and wellbeing across the lifespan through assessment, prevention, intervention, research, and/or program evaluation
- Work effectively in a professional setting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including the exploration of HDFS-relevant professional pathways and the development of broadly applicable professional skills essential to the discipline (e.g., cultural awareness, empathy, self-reflection)
Four-Year Plan
This is a sample four-year plan for Human Development and Family Studies. It is intended as a general guide and may not reflect the most current course offerings or requirement designations. We encourage all students to work with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan and to verify all degree requirements through their DARS report.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 174 | 3 | HDFS 262, PSYCH 460, or ED PSYCH 320 | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | INTER-HE 201 (or other Human Ecology Breadth) | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | Communication B | 3-4 |
| Science | 3 | PSYCH 202 | 3 |
| Human Ecology Breadth | 3 | Science | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 253 | 1 | INTER-HE 202 | 1 |
| HDFS 263 | 3 | HDFS 335 | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | HDFS 345 | 3 |
| Science | 3 | STAT 301, 371, PSYCH 210, or SOC 360 (Statistics) | 3 |
| Social Science | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | Elective | 2 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 316 | 3 | HDFS Depth #2 | 3 |
| HDFS 425 | 3 | HDFS Depth #3 | 3 |
| HDFS Depth #1 | 3 | Science | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS Application #1 (Internship or Research) | 3 | HDFS Application #2 (Capstone) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Advising & Career Center
The Advising & Career Center (ACC) fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming Human Ecology alumni.
Academic Advising
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Human Ecology academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective Human Ecology students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience.
To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with Human Ecology academic advisor, visit Academic Advising in Human Ecology.
Career Development
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to a career advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. Human Ecology career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.
To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a Human Ecology career advisor, visit Career Development in Human Ecology.
For information about possible career paths related to this major, check out What Can I Do With A Major In Human Development & Family Studies?
Wisconsin Experience
Internships
Internships are a vital component of student career development and a highly valued part of the undergraduate curriculum in the School of Human Ecology. By bringing classroom theories to life in real-world settings, high-quality internships foster essential professional development. They provide a unique opportunity for students to explore careers related to their major, gain hands-on experience in a field of interest, and understand workplace expectations by performing professional tasks in their chosen field.
For Human Ecology majors, completing an internship is a required part of the undergraduate curriculum. To fulfill this requirement, students must meet the following criteria:
- Enrollment Requirements: Have at least junior standing (54+ credits) and taken INTER-HE 202 (SoHE Career & Leadership Development) before pursuing the internship.
- Time Commitment: Complete a minimum of 150 hours at the internship site to earn 3 academic credits.
- Eligibility & Approval: Secure an internship that is educational in nature, directly related to their major and career goals, and verified and approved by the Advising & Career Center.
- Note: Additional course prerequisites may be required for certain Human Ecology majors.
For more information and step-by-step guidance, please visit Human Ecology Internships.
Student Organizations
To see our active list of Human Ecology Student Orgs and for more information about joining, please visit Human Ecology Student Organizations.
Learn more about UW–Madison registered student organizations through the Wisconsin Involvement Network.
Resources and Scholarships
Scholarships
The School of Human Ecology (SoHE) awards many merit and need-based scholarships each year. Students can learn more about these opportunities on the Human Ecology scholarships webpage. To be eligible for these awards, scholarship recipients must be registered as full-time Human Ecology students. For further questions on the scholarship application, please contact the School of Human Ecology Scholarship Coordinator at scholarships@sohe.wisc.edu.
Support Resources
Human Ecology students experiencing personal, academic, or financial challenges should contact SoHE Academic Deans Services. Additional campus resources include the Financial Aid Basic Needs website, Office of Student Assistance and Support, and University Health Services.