• Students gain valuable career experiences through a semester-long internship in an employment setting in which they serve children and families.
• Develop skills for working in a variety of human service and educational settings.
• Gain a broad perspective of individual and family development through faculty from a range of disciplines and professional areas.
• Focus on physical, social, cognitive, and affective development with an emphasis on development within the family.

—Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a specialty in Family Studies
REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING PROGRAM
Students can certify as human development majors after taking 24 credit hours and earning at least a 2.0 GPA. Students completing a bachelor of arts degree in human development are required to complete a certified minor or approved certificate of study in another department. HD majors may also minor in the WSU program in aging.

REQUIRED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT COURSES
HD 201—Prenatal Through Age 8
HD 202—Middle Childhood Through Adolescence
HD 203—Adulthood Through Older Years
HD 204—Family Systems: Understanding Family Interaction
HD 310—Research Approaches to Human Development
HD 330—Professional Preparation
HD 320—Resource Management and Problem Solving
     or HD 420—Theories of Human Development
HD 410—Public Policy Issues Impacting Families and individuals
HD 498—Field Placement

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALITY
HD 301—Families in Crisis
HD 302—Parent-Child Relationships
HD 304—Intimate Relationships Across the Lifespan
HD 350—Diversity in Contemporary Families
HD 406—Work and Family

NOTE: See the WSU Catalog (http://www.catalog.wsu.edu/Pullman) for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.

For family studies students

The Department of Human Development awards more than $14,000 in scholarships annually. Students in the program are also eligible to compete for the College of Agriculture and Home Economics’ Dean’s Merit Scholarship and for general University scholarships. Details regarding scholarship criteria are available on the CAHE and Human Development websites.

For all students

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs. Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

Students should complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure their eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and need-based financial aid.

For information or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Scholarships and Finances section of the WSU website.

• Desire to strengthen individuals, families, and communities
• Interest in current social issues and policies that impact families or individual family members
• Sensitivity to the valuable contributions and unique needs of all people
• Desire to learn about the development of individuals, families, and communities
• Desire to learn how a variety of educational approaches, social policies, and prevention/intervention strategies can influence the development of children, youth, and families

Human development graduates with a family studies specialty are employed in family support centers, community action centers, parent education organizations, family crisis centers, domestic violence programs, and many other organizations that address family needs and issues. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate education in family therapy and human development.