This degree prepares its graduates to use family-centered and strengths-based approaches to support the health and well-being of individuals and families in diverse communities. Graduates will have a strong interdisciplinary foundation in the HDFS field and competencies in 10 areas as established by the National Council on Family Relations, including:
- internal dynamics of relationships and families
- human growth and development
- family-and community-based program planning, implementation, and evaluation
- social policies and laws affecting families
- family diversity
- research methodology
- professional ethics as related to the HDFS field
The HDFS curriculum prepares students to effectively engage with families across the lifespan and in a variety of service settings and professions, from early childhood education and care to family law and policy advocacy.
Our program prepares students to critically analyze complex family issues, advocate for families in schools, communities, and in the policy arena, and address social-structural factors contributing to and influencing family functioning, health, and well-being (e.g., poverty and wealth inequality, immigration and illegalization, family homelessness, incarceration, family violence, and discrimination and structural violence such as racism, nationalism, or heterosexism). Students are required to complete an internship and integrate research training with service fieldwork. Such an experience is a critical component of HDFS student development and will further prepare our students for graduate education and diverse careers in the human development and family science field.
Formerly (E1-BA-HDFS)
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Core Courses in the Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 200 | Individual and Family Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| PSYC 211 | Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HDFS 300 | Individual and Family Services Delivery | 3 |
| INTS 321 | Parent-Child Relations (Mason Core) | 4 |
| HDFS 480 | Special Topics in Human Development and Family Science | 3-4 |
| HDFS 498 | Internship and Analysis in Human Development and Family Science | 3 |
| HDFS 499 | Advanced Internship and Analysis in Human Development and Family Science (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Research for Social Change (Mason Core) | ||
| Research Methods in Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Methods and Logic of Inquiry (Mason Core) | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Advanced Family Processes (Mason Core) | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Family Financial Literacy and Resource Management | ||
| The Hospitalized Child and Family | ||
| Therapeutic Benefits of Play | ||
| Family Law and Public Policy | ||
| Total Credits | 31-34 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Elective Choices | 12 | |
| Elective choices follow career and professional interests. Elective courses are suggested by advisors and mentors and approved by the Academic Program Coordinator. See below for areas of focus. | ||
Families and Individuals Across the Life Span | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Family and Health Communication | ||
| Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Foundations of Language and Literacy for Diverse Young Learners, Birth-Age 5 | ||
| Inclusive Curriculum for Young Learners: Planning Instruction and Guidance | ||
| Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| Medical and Developmental Aspects of Disabilities of Diverse Young Learners | ||
| Developing Language, Literacy, and Communication of Diverse Infants and Toddlers | ||
| Early Intervention for Infants Toddlers with Disabilities: Collaborative Consultative Approaches | ||
| Disability in American Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Children's Literature for Teaching in Diverse Settings (Mason Core) | ||
| Health Care Delivery in the United States | ||
| Assisted Living/Senior Housing Management and Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Health Services Research | ||
| The Hospitalized Child and Family | ||
| Dimensions of Mental Health | ||
| Drugs and Health | ||
| Women's Health | ||
| Men's Health | ||
| Relationship Health | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Violence, Gender, and Sexuality | ||
| Images and Experiences of Childhood: Social Construct, Literature, and Film | ||
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Introduction to Childhood Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Youth Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Women and Leadership | ||
| Contemporary Health: Intersections in Science and Society (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Justice Education (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Nutrition (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Principles of Learning (Mason Core) | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Gender | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Behavior Disorders of Childhood | ||
| Psychological Factors in Aging | ||
| Death, Dying, and Grieving | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Sociology of Delinquency | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Sociology of Deviance | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Youth Culture and Society (Mason Core) | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness, and Disability | ||
| Child and Family Welfare | ||
| Introduction to Gerontology | ||
| Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Women and Work | ||
Family Advocacy | ||
| Family and Health Communication | ||
| Disability in American Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Public Health | ||
| Health Behavior Theories | ||
| Health and Disease | ||
| Health Promotion and Education | ||
| Social Determinants of Health | ||
| Health Care Delivery in the United States | ||
| Introduction to Health Services Research | ||
| Personal Health | ||
| Dimensions of Mental Health | ||
| Introduction to Health Behavior (Mason Core) | ||
| Drugs and Health | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Women's Health | ||
| Men's Health | ||
| Relationship Health | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Health: Intersections in Science and Society (Mason Core) | ||
| Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Death, Dying, and Grieving | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Social Inequality (Mason Core) | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness, and Disability | ||
| Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies | ||
Research and Policy | ||
| Introduction to Law and Society | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Health Ethics, Leadership, and Advocacy | ||
| Public Law and the Judicial Process | ||
| Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process | ||
| Public Policy Making | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Politics of Race and Gender | ||
| Feminist Political Thought | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| Health Care Delivery in the United States | ||
| Healthcare Law | ||
| Introduction to Health Care Politics and Policy | ||
| Introduction to Health Services Research | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Justice Consciousness and Action | ||
| Social Justice and Human Rights (Mason Core) | ||
| Women and Leadership | ||
| Psychology of Gender | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Inequality (Mason Core) | ||
| Changing Social Policies and Systems | ||
| Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Services | ||
| Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | ||
| Introductory Statistics II | ||
Writing Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one courses designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in human development and family science may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing INTS 321 Parent-Child Relations (Mason Core).
Upper Level Requirement
Students seeking a bachelor's degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Additional Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
College Level Requirements for the BA Degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or Religious Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
PHIL 1 | ||
- 1
Note that the following courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement:
- PHIL 323 Classical Western Political Theory
- PHIL 324 Modern Western Political Theory
- PHIL 327 Contemporary Western Political Theory
- PHIL 393 Humanities College to Career
- PHIL 460 Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Additionally, PHIL 253, RELI 235, RELI 333, and RELI 339 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits of social and behavioral sciences from the following (additional to the Mason Core social and behavioral sciences requirement) 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH | ||
| CRIM | ||
| ECON | ||
| GOVT | ||
| HIST 2 | ||
| LING | ||
| PSYC | ||
| SOCI | ||
| Or choose from the following GGS courses: | ||
| Major World Regions (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Geoinformation Technologies | ||
| Political Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Geography of Resource Conservation (Mason Core) | ||
| Population Geography (Mason Core) | ||
| Economic Geography | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
| Geography of the United States | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Geography of Europe | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia | ||
| Urban Planning | ||
| Geography of Virginia | ||
- 1
The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and Mason Core requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.
- 2
HIST 100 and HIST 125 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Foreign Language
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language, fulfilled by: 1 | ||
Or achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test | ||
Or completing the following ASL three course sequence: | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) I | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) II | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) III | ||
- 1
Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Non-Western Culture
Select 3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture (additional to the Mason Core requirement in global understanding)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits (additional to Mason Core Global Understanding requirement) 1 | ||
| ANTH 114 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 300 | Civilizations | 3 |
| ANTH 302 | Peoples and Cultures of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 307 | Ancient Mesoamerica (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 308 | Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 309 | Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 313 | Myth, Magic, and Mind (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 314 | Zombies | 3 |
| ANTH 317 | East Asian Cultures | 3 |
| ANTH 330 | Peoples and Cultures of Selected Regions: Non-Western | 3 |
| ANTH 332 | Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Globalization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ANTH 381 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 396 | Issues in Anthropology: Social Sciences (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 360 | Topics in Arabic Cultural Production | 3 |
| ARAB 365 | Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARAB 420 | Survey of Arabic Literature | 3 |
| ARAB 440 | Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 203 | Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 204 | Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 206 | Survey of African Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 317 | The Black Pharaohs: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Nubia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 318 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 319 | Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 320 | Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 382 | Arts of India (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 383 | Arts of Southeast Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 384 | Arts of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 385 | Arts of Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ARTH 482 | RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 318 | Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 320 | Contemporary Chinese Film | 3 |
| CHIN 325 | Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core) | 3 |
| CHIN 470 | Special Topics in Chinese Studies | 3 |
| DANC 118 | Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 361 | Economic Development of Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| ECON 362 | African Economic Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| FREN 454 | Topics in Caribbean Francophone Literature and Culture | 3 |
| GGS 101 | Major World Regions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 316 | Geography of Latin America | 3 |
| GGS 317 | Geography of China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GGS 325 | Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | 3 |
| GGS 399 | Select Topics in GGS | 3 |
| GOVT 332 | Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | 3 |
| GOVT 333 | Politics of East Asia | 3 |
| GOVT 338 | Politics of Eurasia | 3 |
| GOVT 340 | Central Asian Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 341 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 345 | Islam and Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 433 | Political Economy of East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 251 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 252 | Survey of East Asian History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 261 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 262 | Survey of African History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 271 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 272 | Survey of Latin American History (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 281 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 282 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 326 | Stalinism | 3 |
| HIST 327 | The Soviet Union and Russia Since World War II | 3 |
| HIST 328 | Rise of Russia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 329 | Modern Russia and the Soviet Union (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 353 | History of Traditional China | 3 |
| HIST 354 | Modern China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 356 | Modern Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 357 | Postwar Japan (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 358 | Post-1949 China (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 360 | History of South Africa (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 364 | Revolution in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 365 | Conquest and Colonization in Latin America (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 366 | Comparative Slavery | 3 |
| HIST 377 | The Vietnam War (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Topics in Global History (Mason Core) | 3-6 |
| HIST 461 | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 |
| HIST 462 | Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HIST 465 | The Middle East in the 20th Century | 3 |
| JAPA 310 | Japanese Culture in a Global World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 340 | Topics in Japanese Literature (Mason Core) | 3 |
| JAPA 380 | Japan in Motion | 3 |
| KORE 300 | Korean Culture and Society | 3 |
| KORE 320 | Korean Popular Culture in a Global World | 3 |
| KORE 385 | Introduction to Korean Linguistics | 3 |
| MUSI 103 | Musics of the World (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 211 | Introduction to Religions of the "West" (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 212 | Introduction to Religions of Asia (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 312 | Islam (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 313 | Hinduism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 314 | Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions | 3 |
| RELI 315 | Buddhism (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 317 | Daoism | 3 |
| RELI 318 | Korean Philosophy and Religions | 3 |
| RELI 338 | Qur'an and Hadith | 3 |
| RELI 342 | Comparative Study of Mysticism | 3 |
| RELI 344 | Muhammad: Life and Legacy | 3 |
| RELI 358 | Islamic Thought (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 367 | Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics | 3 |
| RELI 368 | Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 384 | Global History of Christianity (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 490 | Comparative Study of Religions (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 353 | Russian Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RUSS 354 | Contemporary Post-Soviet Life (Mason Core) | 3 |
| WMST 407 | Transnational Sexualities | 3 |
- 1
A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
- VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
- VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (lower-level) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Just Societies (optional) 1 | ||
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (upper-level) | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Mason Apex 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.
- 2
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
- 3
Minimum 3 credits required.
Program Outcomes
- Culture and Diversity in Individuals, Families, and Communities - Practiced in the application of knowledge, theory, and research on diverse experiences of:
- individuals and how they influence families (e.g., ability-disability, LGBTQ+, linguistics),
- families and how systems and institutions support/negate family structures, and
- individuals and families and how they are impacted by changes in social and cultural constructs.
- Family Systems, Processes and Interpersonal Relationships - Understand and critically apply family theories to explain family processes within diverse contexts from a strengths-based perspective of:
- both healthy and dysfunctional family processes
- current evidence- and strengths-based practices and interventions that foster family health and resilience
- the influence of family processes on subsequent relationships across the life course
- Human Development Across the Life Course - Knowledgeable about major physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes across the lifespan
- of associated theoretical, historical, and current issues,
- impact of contextual factors such as parenting, families, and society, and
- impact of individual factors such as health status and ability.
- Individual and Family Resource Management - Understand theory, research, practices, and policies relevant to family finance and resource management
- knowledge and skills in planning financial security for an individual or family throughout the life cycle, and
- experience personal growth and development in family financial literacy and resource management.
- Individual and Family Ethics, and Practice - Demonstrate an understanding of theories and methods for helping individuals and families in human service settings to:
- ensure appropriate ethical decisions,
- protect clients’ rights in using family laws and policies
- identify, find, apply for, and successfully carry out a human services internship, and
- propose, implement, and present an individual impact project in human development and family science.
- Individual and Family Research Methods - Practiced in the examination of a research problems involving individuals and/or families
- situating analytical or policy inquiries about individuals and families into the current scholarly literature
- investigating research questions using methods, analysis, creative problem solving, communication, and writing of research, and
- articulating a research problem involving individuals and/or families.