Broadening Human Horizons.
UW-Stout's online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) is an interdisciplinary major focusing on the development of individuals across the lifespan, within the context of family and culture. If you're committed to living or working away from campus the program's multidisciplinary approach will provide you with both a broad perspective and specialized knowledge.
UW-Stout's B.S. Human Development & Family Studies has been reviewed by the National Council on Family Relations and is recognized as a NCFR CFLE-approved program offering coursework covering the content required for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. Graduates of NCFR CFLE-approved programs qualify to apply for the CFLE designation via an abbreviated application process.
100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Education.
Career-Defining Curriculum
Designed to enhance the professional portfolio of a wide range of students, including individuals with an associate’s degree or equivalent, UW-Stout's Human Development & Family Studies has a strong, established reputation of preparing graduates for success in a variety of human service-related areas. Our experienced full-time faculty have created an enhanced, flexible online learning environment. Offering full-time and part-time options, the program prepares graduates to address familial needs through the lenses of age, culture, gender, life stage, relationships and more.
Program Overview
Program Highlights
- Established and highly reputable program
- Award-winning instructors
- Applied learning opportunities
- Professional networking opportunities
- Excellent employment in the field
- Proven preparation for graduate school
Earn a Professional Certificate While Fulfilling Your Degree Requirements
"I was undeclared my freshmen year and then stumbled upon Human Development and Family Studies. I couldn't believe I had the opportunity to study familial relations, child development, and policies regarding families. I met so many amazing people and learned information that directly relates to my personal life. And we applied theories to situations in the working world."
-- Cyan BowerB.S. Human Development & Family Studies
Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the B.S. Human Development & Family Studies.
Request Information
Enhanced Online Learning & Customized Instruction
Our flexible customized instruction is designed for adult learners who are beginning their professional journey and transfer students who are wishing to advance their professional opportunities. The excellent transferability of credits assists you in completing your degree in a timely manner.
- Courses delivered 100% online by award-winning faculty
- Consistent Fall, Spring, and Summer program course offerings
- Support from Adult Student Services Coordinators and Distance Librarians
- Efficient transferability of credits
Value for Your Money
Customized Instruction at UW Stout can be described as programs that are designed with the adult learner in mind. If you're comparing UW-Stout's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:
- Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
- There are no additional university-based semester or technology fees.
- Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless if Wisconsin residents, out-of-state or international participants.
There’s more to value than just tuition. UW Stout also provides:
- Program Director – faculty with discipline expertise.
- Student Services adviser – one point of contact, providing support to students for each program.
- Course sequences and matrices – know what courses are offered when so you can plan ahead.
- Courses and programs may be stackable for use in another program.
- Courses are flexible and convenient for working professionals.
Other universities will present costs and value differently - make sure you're comparing apples to apples.
Application
To apply for the on-campus and online Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies, you need to apply to UW-Stout.
Financial Aid
Students who are attending another institution, but are planning to receive their degree from UW-Stout, may be eligible to receive aid from UW‐Stout. In these cases, UW‐Stout is considered the Home Institution and the other campus is considered the Visiting Institution.Transfer Students
Note: When filling out the application form, be sure to make a note in the student comment section that you intend to apply to the "online program."
Upon completing the B.S. HDFS program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional competence in educational, civic, and career settings.
- Integrate knowledge of family dynamics to enhance relational functioning.
- Demonstrate cultural competence, inclusive of multiple aspects and intersections of diversity within a historical and social context.
- Integrate understanding of the developmental processes in individuals across the lifespan, based on physical, social, emotional, cognitive, moral, and personality aspects within an ecological framework.
- Critique social scientific knowledge as applied to families and human development.
- Evaluate the impacts among and between societal institutions and families.
- Demonstrate personal and interpersonal growth.
- Demonstrate competent communication skills.
Our program is designed for students ranging from incoming freshmen who are beginning their professional journey to transfer students who are wishing to advance their professional opportunities. The excellent transferability of credits assists transfer students in completing their degree in a timely manner.
An academic study, service learning opportunities, and experiential learning with a senior internship prepare graduates for positions in a number of areas, such as:
- Human service agencies
- Residential treatment programs and group homes
- Afterschool/youth mentoring programs
- Probation and corrections facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Older adult activity and living centers
- Aging and disability services
- Human resources management
- Family resource centers
- Youth summer camps
- Child care facilities
- Public/family policy and advocacy
- Research
The program also serves as an excellent foundation for graduate school in disciplines including:
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Social Work
- Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
- Student Personnel
- Health and Wellness
- Family Science
Advisory Committee Members
| James | Anenz | First-Year Advisor, Advisement Center - UW-Stout |
| Amanda | Behm | Stout Online |
| Heather | Dickrell | Student |
| Kevin | Doll | Program Director |
| Kevin | Drzakowski | Associate Dean |
| Lorraine | Garland | Alum/Professional in the Field |
| Jeremy | Hernandez | Professional in the Field |
| Daniel | Kelsey | Chair, Counseling, Rehabilitation & Human Services Department |
| Skylar | Kitchner | Alum |
| Tina | Lee | Professor; Program Director, Applied Social Science |
| Candice | Maier | Associate Professor |
| Jacob | Reid | Student |
| Bethanne | Shriner | Program Director (Online Program) |
