Program Overview

Human Development and Family Science Program

The Human Development and Family Science program offers a comprehensive education in the developmental impact of illness and injury, preparing students for careers in healthcare, community settings, and more.

Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)

The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) offers certification for child life professionals. Certified Child Life Specialists are educated and clinically trained to improve patient and family care, satisfaction, and overall experience. They help infants, children, youth, and families cope with stressful and potentially traumatic events, providing evidence-based interventions, including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education.

CCLS Course Requirements

The following NDSU courses are intended to correspond to the courses required by ACLP to become a CCLS:

• HDFS 250 Introduction to Research Methods
• HDFS 320 Prenatal, Infant and Toddler Development
• HDFS 330 Child Development
• HDFS 340 Adolescent Development
• HDFS 341 Parent-Child Relations
• HDFS 350 Fundamentals of Hospital Child Life
• HDFS 483 Best Practices, Play and Activities from Birth Through Adolescence
• HDFS 496 Field Experience
• SOC /ANTH 441 Death and Dying
• BIOL 220 Human Anatomy and Physiology
• ASCI 125 Medical Terminology for Health Professionals (1 credit)
• PHIL 210 Ethics

CCLS Internship and Certification Exam

For certification as a CCLS, ACLP also requires a 600-hour internship, which can be completed either before or after graduation. This is separate from HDFS 496 Field Experience. After the internship, a certification exam is also required.

Program Options

The Human Development and Family Science program offers various options, including:

• Human Development and Family Science major
• Accelerated Masters program
• Elementary Education/HDFS major
• Social Work/HDFS major
• 5-Year Accelerated Masters (BS + MS) Degrees in HDFS
• Minors
• Undergraduate Certificates
• Certified Family Life Educator program
• Graduate Certificates, including:
  • Family Financial Planning Certificate
  • Gerontology Graduate Certificate
  • Youth Development Graduate Certificate
  • Youth Program Management & Evaluation Certificate
• Master's Degree programs, including:
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Family Financial Planning
  • Gerontology
  • School Counseling
  • Youth Development
• Developmental Science Ph.D. program
• Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD) program
• Gerontology Dual PhD program

Research Areas

The Human Development and Family Science program encompasses various research areas, including:

• Extension
• Linked Lives
• Developmental impact of illness and injury
• Family relationships and dynamics
• Human development across the lifespan