Human Development

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Department of Human Development

The study of how children, youth, adults, and families develop, change, and face challenges throughout their lives, this program teaches you how to find compassionate and people-first solutions for the problems in our world.  

Campuses:

  • Global Campus (Online)
  • Pullman
  • Spokane
  • Vancouver

Degree Types:

  • Bachelor's
  • Certificate
  • Doctorate
  • Master's
  • Minor

Highlights

  • Experience working with young children at the WSU Children’s Center, which provides care for the children of students, staff, and faculty through the ages of 6 weeks through 12 years on the Pullman campus
  • Fulfill your internship requirement from more than 1,000 approved sites in the Pacific Northwest and abroad 
  • Blend of classroom instruction and hands-on field experience 
  • Participate in undergraduate research guided by renowned faculty 

Specializations

Adolescence prepares you to work in adolescent counseling centers, youth programs, the juvenile justice system, and other settings that focus on teens and youth. (Pullman)

Early Childhood Education prepares you to work in childcare and preschool centers, Child Protective Services, crisis nurseries, and more. 

Family Studies prepares you to work in family counseling centers, parent education organizations, family crisis centers, women’s shelters, and other settings that provide services to families. (Pullman)

Gerontology prepares you to work in adult day care centers, nursing homes, home care services, community organizations that provide services to seniors, and other settings that focus on older adults. 

Human Services Case Management and Administration prepares you to work in social service, health care, and education settings. (Vancouver)

Career

With a Human Development degree, you can work in: 

  • Marriage and family counseling 
  • Early childhood advocacy 
  • Crisis intervention and foster care casework 
  • Preschool and childcare 
  • Residential treatment for the elderly 
  • Juvenile correction and youth programs 
  • Education 

Transfer Students

WSU accepts credit from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and CLEP exams, associate degrees, Running Start and more.  

You’re considered a transfer student at WSU if you’ve received college credit post-high school.  

Use our Transfer Course Search Tool to determine what courses you need to take at your current institution to transition to WSU smoothly. 

Admission to WSU and admission to your desired major are two separate processes. Contact your academic department for specific requirements and prerequisites unique to your major.   

Scholarships

Complete the General Scholarship Application to be eligible for 700+ WSU scholarship programs, including ones specifically for a major you’re interested in. Use our search tool to find more scholarships outside WSU.  

Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) to be considered for scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of aid. 

Internships, Jobs, and Work-study

Find hundreds of student-friendly jobs, internships, and work-study opportunities with our WSU student job board, Handshake. You can also check with departments for internships specific to a major. 

Get advice and learn more at the Academic Success and Career Center. 

Dig Deeper
Find out more about a degree in Human Development

Let’s Go

Degree Options

Human Development

  • Pullman
  • Vancouver
  • Global Campus (Online)

Master of Science in Prevention Science

  • Pullman
  • Spokane
  • Vancouver

Doctor of Philosophy in Prevention Science

  • Pullman
  • Vancouver
  • Spokane

Human Development

  • Pullman
  • Vancouver
  • Global Campus (Online)

Family and Consumer Sciences Teaching Certification

  • Pullman

Adolescence Certificate

  • Pullman

Family Studies Certificate

  • Vancouver
  • Pullman
  • Global Campus (Online)

Gerontology Certificate

  • Pullman
  • Vancouver
  • Global Campus (Online)

Early Childhood Development

  • Pullman
  • Global Campus (Online)
  • Vancouver

Human Services Case Management and Administration

  • Pullman
  • Global Campus (Online)
  • Vancouver

Contact

Contact your personal admission counselor

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