Program Overview

Introduction to the Department of Human Development and Family Studies

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies is part of the College of Health and Human Sciences. It offers various undergraduate and graduate programs, including the B.S. in Early Childhood Education with Teacher Licensure, B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education with Teacher Licensure, B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, and graduate programs such as the M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies and the Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Science.

Undergraduate Programs

• B.S. in Early Childhood Education with Teacher Licensure
• B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education with Teacher Licensure
• B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies
  • Accelerated B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies
  • Online B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies
  • Minor in Human Development and Family Studies
• Gerontology Interdisciplinary Minor
• Certificate in Disability and Neurodiversity
• Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
• Certificate in Youth Mentoring with Campus Connections

Graduate Programs

• M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies
  • Application deadline: January 5
  • Specializations:
    • Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization
    • Prevention Science Specialization
    • HDFS Individualized Specialization
• Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Science

Research Areas

The department is involved in various research areas, including:

• Adolescent Wellness Lab
• Adult Development and Aging Project
• Babies and Families Lab
• Campus Connections Therapeutic Mentoring lab
• Cognition and Health Analytics Lab
• Developmental Disabilities Research Laboratory
• Emotional Development Laboratory
• Healthy Cognitive Aging Lab
• Health, Emotion, and Aging Research Team (HEART)
• Parent-Child Relationships and Well-Being Lab
• PEACE Lab
• Promoting Healthy Aging and Families Research Laboratory
• RAMS ChAT Lab
• Rural and Agricultural Mental Health and Substance use (RAMS) Lab
• The CALMER Laboratory
• The TECH Research Lab

Community Engagement

The department engages in community activities through:

• Campus Connections
• Center for Family and Couple Therapy
• Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging
• CSU AgrAbility
• CSU Trauma and Resilience Assessment Center
• Early Childhood Center
• GRANDCares
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
• Prevention Research Center
• RAM Scholars Program

Graduate Research

Graduate research is an integral part of the department's programs, with opportunities for students to work with faculty mentors in various research labs and areas. The department requires graduate students to be paired with a faculty mentor to guide their research interests and goals.

Resources for Prospective and Current Graduate Students

• Graduate Advising: Information on finding a graduate adviser and financial assistance.
• Ways to Apply for Free: CSU’s Graduate School offers fee waivers and other options to apply for free.
• How to Apply to Graduate School: Guidance through the application process.

Department Contact Information

303 Behavioral Sciences Building
410 W. Pitkin St.
1570 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, Colorado