The undergraduate program is developed from a base of human development
and family studies courses. It is essential for the student working with children,
adolescents or adults to understand and to be able to maximize the resources
offered by the family. It is equally important for the student concerned with the
quality of family life to recognize the intricate spiral of changing needs in the
growing individual. The department of human development and family studies
focuses on this synthesis. For detailed descriptions of and course requirements for our minors, click here.
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) prepares students for professional service to individuals and families. The Technical Standards presented here are pre-requisite for admission and graduation from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences of the University of Missouri. The courses required in each option area (Child Life, Child Development and Education, Human Development, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Family Studies, and the dual degree program in HDFS and Social Work) develop essential skills for professional work with families and children. |
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The Columns
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Jesse Hall
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Child Development and Education
This option provides instruction and experiences to help students gain competence in understanding, guiding, and teaching children. The option prepares graduates for positions of responsibility and leadership in public and private nursery schools, child care centers, infant-care programs, after-school programs, and other educational and social service facilities for children. Students beginning after August 2008, click here for a sample program. Existing students can choose the new program of study or the one in place when they matriculated.
Child Life
This option prepares graduates to provide for the development and socioemotional needs of children and their families in health care settings. Child life specialists use therapeutic play and educational activities to help children cope with the anxieties and concerns inherent in illness, disability, hospitalization, and medical procedures. This option includes instruction and experience to help students develop professional competence in understanding and working with parents and their hospitalized, ill, or handicapped children. Courses focus on understanding normal and exceptional child and family development, methods of working with children, parents and staff and understanding basic hospital organization and procedures. Students beginning after August 2008, click here for a sample program. Existing students can choose the new program of study or the one in place when they matriculated. |
Family Studies
This option is designed to acquaint students with the concepts and principles basic to the development of a broad understanding of families and how they function in an ever-changing environment. Relationships within families are studied, as are the relationships between families and other social institutions. The family studies option emphasizes diverse and multicultural family structures and processes. Students beginning after August 2008, click here for a sample program. Existing students can choose the new program of study or the one in place when they matriculated.
Human Development
This option opens the door to exciting and varied opportunities with families, children, adolescents, and adults, across the nation. Graduates of this option may hold positions in public, private, or state positions.
Dual Degree in Human Development and Family Studies
and Social Work
This option is designed to provide instruction and experiences that will help students develop competence in understanding, guiding, and working with people. Emphasis is placed on understanding human and family development, administrative aspects of community programs, communication skills, and program development and evaluation. This program leads to dual degrees: a bachelor of social work and a bachelor of science degree in human development and family studies. Careers include positions in family and children's services, youth organizations, churches, court and justice systems, mental health centers, and programs for the elderly. |
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Gentry Hall
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