Program Overview

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Online B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies

The University of Utah’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family studies prepares students for a wide range of impactful opportunities, from lawyer to lawmaker, pre-med to pre-school, school counselor to psychologist.

Credits Required

• Major: 46 credits
• Minor: 16 credits

What Does It Cost

• $537.55/credit (effective Fall 2025, subject to change without notice)

Learning Format

• Online

Start Terms

• Fall, Spring, Summer

Why Choose UOnline’s Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies?

The HDFS major and minor at UOnline uncover how social, economic, political, and physical environments shape families and individual development. Through core courses, students build a strong foundation of knowledge, which can be further personalized with electives covering topics like family dynamics, parenting, intimacy, and community health. The program integrates insights from psychology, sociology, economics, and biology, giving students a well-rounded perspective on human behavior and family relationships across the lifespan.

Application Deadlines

• Any Semester Admission: Start the online human development and family studies degree in any semester. Submit the application by:
  • Nov. 1 for spring
  • March 1 for summer
  • April 1 for fall

Human Development and Family Studies Overview

About Online Learning

At the University of Utah, courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Interactive learning comes in various ways, including:

• Group assignments
• Contributions to a discussion forum
• Peer reviews

Classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help, such as:

• Communicating directly with the instructor via email
• Participating in and guiding online discussions
• Attending online office hours

Degree Type

• Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies
• Minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the College of Social and Behavioral Science

Degree Requirements

Major in HDFS

• HDFS is one of the shortest majors offered at the U and can be completed quickly, depending on how many credits have already been earned toward the university's 122 credit requirement.
• To complete the human development and family studies online degree, students must take 34 credits in the FCS department, 12 allied credits, and a combination of general education courses.

Minor in HDFS

• An HDFS minor requires the completion of six core credits plus 10 elective credits.

Tuition & Scholarships

• The tuition rate for the online human development and family studies degree is $537.55 (effective Fall 2025) per credit hour.
• Tuition is subject to change, and changes typically occur in the summer but can happen at any time.
• The FCS department offers several scholarships that UOnline students are welcome to apply for.

Career Outcomes

UOnline’s human development and family studies degree opens doors to various career opportunities in family law, education, health care, counseling, advocacy, early intervention, and more.

Potential Roles

With a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies, students may earn a role as:

• Academic Advisor
• Afterschool Program Director
• Caseworker
• Child Care License Specialist
• Community Education Coordinator
• Early Childhood Interventionist
• Human Resource Assistant
• Parent Educator
• Preschool Teacher
• Psychiatric Technician
• Public Affairs Assistant
• Research Coordinator
• Social Service Worker

Further Your Education

For those seeking further education, this degree provides an excellent foundation for advanced studies in fields such as social and public policy, psychology, counseling, social work, law, and more.

With a master’s degree, students may be eligible for positions like:

• Behavior Analyst
• CEO/Program Director (various nonprofits and government agencies)
• Child Life Specialist
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Data Collection Specialist/Data Analyst
• Developmental Screening Coordinator
• K-12 Public School Teacher
• Lawyer
• Occupational Therapist
• School Counselor/Psychologist
• Social Worker
• Special Education Consultant

Job Market Statistics

• 86% of positions in family and consumer sciences require a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• The median annual salary for employees in the field of family and consumer sciences was $48,000 in 2022.
• Over 500,000 family and consumer sciences professionals were employed in 2022, and opportunities in this field are continuing to increase.