Overview

Welcome to the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut. Students who complete the undergraduate program (HDFS major) receive a Bachelor of Arts degree. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the Department, as well as the breadth of students’ interests, we have indicated 11 different career pathways our students may pursue.

Family Life Education (FLE)

Family Life Educators work with families of diverse backgrounds on such issues as financial planning, education, work-family issues, parenting, sexuality, gender, and more. Family life education uses a psycho-education approach to focus on healthy family functioning from a family systems perspective with an emphasis on prevention.

Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE)

Students who complete the Early Childhood Development and Education Concentration are qualified, upon graduation to receive the State of Connecticut Early Childhood Teaching Credential. Students are prepared to take a position as a head teacher in a preschool, or infant/toddler classroom. This would also be considered exceptional preparation for a graduate program in Elementary and or Special Education.

Early Childhood Development

Students who complete the Early Childhood Development concentration will be prepared upon graduation to take a position as a teaching assistant in a birth-preschool classroom/program. The concentration is an outstanding preparation for students interested in pursuing graduate programs in allied health professions such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language, or Elementary and/or Special Education.

Public Policy and Law

For students interested in pursuing graduate school or a career in the legal field, policy making, public administration, or policy analysis, including work as an attorney, human rights advocate, legislative aide/researcher, policy analyst and researcher and related positions.

Counseling and Therapy

For students interested in pursuing a career as a helping professional. Students who follow a counseling or therapy track often go to graduate school and enroll in one of the following programs: Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Social Work, Psychology, or Professional/Rehabilitation Counseling. These degree paths enable one to develop the skills necessary to intervene with individuals, couples, and families in ways that improve psychological and relational wellbeing.

Child and Adolescent Development

For students interested in pursuing a graduate education or career opportunities in the areas of youth program services, human/social services, research, and government/public policy. Students will advance their knowledge on how family, culture, and neighborhoods influence child and adolescent development.

Social Work

For students interested in pursuing graduate school or a career working with children and families in clinical and community settings; community organizing, social justice, policy analysis and advocacy, and working with various human rights organizations and in health and mental health fields, among other related positions.

Families and Disabilities

Disabilities are a universal aspect of the human experience. This career path is for individuals who are interested in thinking critically about the “lived lives” of individuals with disabilities, their families, and community. Graduates with BA’s might work in schools, community residences, or intervention and support programs for children, youth, adults, and families. This focus prepares students for graduate study in: disabilities studies; education; special education; clinical, social, or school psychology; public policy; public health; or sociology.

Public Health

For students interested in pursuing graduate and professional degrees in the field of health or a career in health promotion and education, health administration, health service evaluation, health research, health advocacy, hospital/managed care administration, community outreach, or related positions.

Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences Educator: this career path will provide the FCS content courses needed by students interested in teaching human development and family studies, nutritional sciences and food production, textiles and apparel, and related courses to middle and high school students. Graduate level work will be required to complete the FCS teacher certification process.

Aging

(Gerontology offered as a minor) The aging boom has produced a growing number of career paths available now and in the future for persons interested in working with, for, and on behalf of the older adult population. While many of the career paths listed here do require graduate training, opportunities do exist in the aging field with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Some of the more popular career opportunities in aging include: older adult programming and social service, government/public policy, elder law, long-term care and planning, housing specialist, education, health administration, gerontological social work, intergenerational and family research, business, and technology.

Make a difference.

University of Connecticut ’s people are the driving force behind our success. Whether performing groundbreaking studies or pushing our students to unleash their potential in the classroom, our faculty and staff have helped shape the landscape of our inclusive and diverse community. Our people are a critical piece of the puzzle, linking modern facilities, partnerships with top businesses, and our dedication to education and research.

We are committed to excellence across a wide swath of disciplines in our faculty and staff at a time of great change and potential for higher education. By maintaining our existing strengths and growing our expertise in strategic areas, we are continuing the transformation that has led the University to stand among the nation’s leading public research institutions.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Close Relationships Across the Lifespan
Individual and Family Development
Special Topics Lecture
Diversity Issues in Human Development and Family Studies
Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies
Human Development: Infancy Through Adolescence
Human Development: Adulthood and Aging
Family Interaction Processes
Baseball and Society: Politics, Economics, Race and Gender
Supervised Field Experience

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

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TOEFL^® IBT

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Duolingo English Test

100

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Storrs, United States

Disciplines

Family & Consumer Science View 287 other Bachelors in Family & Consumer Science in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

100

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Other requirements

General requirements

A completed international first-year application includes:

A Completed Common Application or Coalition Application
$80 Application Fee (non-refundable)
Essay & Two Optional Letters of Recommendation
Official Secondary School Transcripts
Standardized Test (Optional)
English Proficiency Requirement
Fine Arts Applicants
Special Program Applicants

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Connecticut and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

39678 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 39678 USD per year during 48 months.
National

39678 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 39678 USD per year during 48 months.
In-State

17010 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 17010 USD per year during 48 months.

Living costs for Storrs

1100 - 1600 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Human Development and Family Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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