HDFS STUDENT-DESIGNED CONCENTRATION COURSE SUGGESTIONS
Students in HDFS, as part of their course work may select a minor, certification, or specialization. Students
may also design their own concentration to fit their career goals. The 18 credit student-designed
concentration is a variety of courses that you will select to take in consultation with your advisor. As you
consider courses to fulfill the 18 credits required for the concentration, you should keep in mind your
career goals, populations you are interested in working with, as well as your interests and strengths.
The Human Development and Family Studies major allows you to work with a variety of populations and
settings. The degree prepares you for a number of entry level positions. It also can be a springboard into
acceptance for Graduate School. Below are career areas and settings that you may, with your advisor or on
your own, wish to explore further. In addition, suggested courses for various populations are also listed.
AREAS
PRE-SCHOOL/DAYCARE
Teacher
Home Visitor
Director
Assistant Director
Child Care Provider
EMPLOYERS
Religious organizations
Montessori schools
Private, public, franchise, and corporate daycare centers
Family daycare
Extended school programs
Preschools
Head Start programs
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Child Life Specialist
Adoption Specialist
Administer
SOCIAL SERVICES
Case Management
Counseling
Administration
Profit and nonprofit organizations focused on children, youth, families,
or senior citizens
Community centers
YMCA or YWCA
Consumer protection agencies
Summer camp programs
Adult daycare providers
Hospitals
Rehabilitation organizations
Religious organizations
Adoption agencies
Gerontology programs
Profit and nonprofit organizations focused on children, youth,
families, or senior citizens
Group homes
Half-way houses
Youth services agencies
Senior citizen programs
Foundations and funding organizations
Youth development programs
Foster care programs
AREAS
EDUCATION
Teaching
Counseling (Master’s program)
Administration
College Student Affairs (admissions,
student services)
Parent-Child Education
EMPLOYERS
Public preschool programs (e.g., Head Start)
Private preschool programs
Montessori schools
Adult education programs
Colleges and universities
Programs servicing children and adults with special needs
MEDICAL
Child Care Programs
Education
Hospitals
Healthcare facilities
Health and wellness agencies
Hospices
COMMUNICATIONS
Journalism
Public Relations
Writing
Editing
Research
Organizations geared toward children and family including:
Book publishers
Professional associations
Radio and TV stations
Nonprofit organizations
Manufacturers
Newspapers
Magazines
GOVERNMENT
Social Services
Rehabilitation
Program Coordination
Research
Program Evaluation
Legislation
Advocacy
Federal, state and local government agencies (i.e.:
Departments of Health, Education and Welfare, Criminal Justice
Departments, Sanitation, Fire/Safety, Nutrition, and Cooperative
Extension)
Vocational rehabilitation
Mental health agencies
Military child care programs
Overseas child care and education programs
Health and wellness agencies
Women’s protective agencies
SOCIAL SERVICES/NONPROFIT
Administration and Planning
Case Management
Advocacy
Program Evaluation
Policy Development
Volunteer Coordination
Public welfare agencies
Federal, state, and local government
Private social service agencies
Group homes
Religiously affiliated organizations
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers
AREAS
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/CORRECTIONS
Counseling/Therapy
Rehabilitation
Probation
Parole
Youth Services
Victim Assistance
EMPLOYERS
Prisons and correctional facilities
Courts
Police departments
Probation and parole offices
Victim services organizations
GERONTOLOGY
Advocacy
Counseling
Case Management
Programming
Public Policy
Hospitals
Nursing and retirement homes
Senior centers
Hospice
CHILD WELFARE
Case Management
Advocacy
Service Coordination
Public or private child welfare agencies
Adoption agencies
Foster care organizations
Day care centers and nursery schools
Recreational facilities (i.e., YMCA or YWCA)
Head Start programs
ADMINISTRATION
Management
Policy Development
Planning
Family service agencies
Child welfare departments
Social service agencies
State mental health departments
Employee assistance programs
Probation departments
Public interest groups
Local, state, and federal government
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
Human Resources
Management
Sales
Public Relations
Corporate Giving
Development
Employee Assistance Programs
Financial Counseling
Business firms in various industries
Developers of educational products
National foundations and associations
HDFS STUDENT-DESIGNED CONCENTRATION COURSE SUGGESTIONS
EMPHASIS: Children (Birth to 12)
Course Number
HDFS-310
HDFS-313/513
HDFS-320
HDFS-332
HDFS-375
HDFS-423
FN-207
FN-236
BIO-132
BIO-234
LIT-300
MUSIC-206
SOC-275
EDUC-326
EDUC-303
SCOUN-447/647
FCSE-451
SPED-430
REHAB-305
REHAB-306
SPCOM-236
PSYC-251
PSYC-270
PSYC-351/551
PSYC-451
ECE-421
ECE-435
Course Title
Human Development & Family Studies
Family Stress and Coping
Parent Education/Involvement (CFLE)*
Divorced, Single Parent, Remarried Families
Death and Bereavement
Grantsmanship for Non-Profit
Spirituality across the Lifespan
Nutrition
Medical Terminology
Nutrition for Young Children
Biology (Physiology & Anatomy)
Human Biology (GE)
Physiology and Anatomy
Literature
Children’s Literature (GE)
Music
Music for Young Children
Sociology
Sociology of Gender Roles
Education and School Counseling
Foundations of Education
Educational Psychology
Emotional/Behavioral Problems of Children & Adolescence
Family and Consumer Science Education
Family Life Education Programs (CFLE) *
Special Education
Inclusion
Communication Skills
Sign Language I (GE)
Sign Language II (GE)
Listening (GE)
Psychology
Child Psychology
Social Cognition and Behavior
Children’s Social Reasoning
Children’s Learning
Early Childhood Education
Administration – ECE Program (consent of instructor)
Children, Families, Schools, and Communities
** Part of coursework for Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation.
(A grade of (C) or better is required.)
Credits
1
2
2
3
1-2
2
1
1
4
4
3
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
HDFS STUDENT-DESIGNED CONCENTRATION COURSE SUGGESTIONS
EMPHASIS: Adolescents
Course Number
HDFS-310
HDFS-313/513
HDFS-320
HDFS-332
HDFS-352
HDFS-375
HDFS-410
HDFS-423
SOC-250
SOC-275
SOC-315
SOCWK-205
SOCWK-420
SOCWK-430
SOCWK-440
SOCWK-450
EDUC-326
EDUC-303
SCOUN-447/647
SPED-430
REHAB-305
REHAB-306
SPCOM-236
SPCOM-206
PSYC-352/552
PSYC-361/561
PSYC-330
PSYC-333
Rehab-320
Rehab-315
Rehab-333
Course Title
Human Development & Family Studies
Family Stress and Coping
Parent Education/Involvement (CFLE)**
Divorced, Single Parent, Remarried Families
Death and Bereavement
Sexual and Gender Identities in Families and Societies
Grantsmanship for Non-Profit
Families in an Electronic World
Spirituality across the Lifespan
Sociology
Social Psychology
Sociology of Gender Roles
Criminology
Introduction to Social Work* (Spring)
Child and Family Agencies* (WinTerm)
Social Casework Methods* (Spring)
Social Work with Groups and Communities* (Fall)
Social Work Methods III: Macro Practice*
Education and School Counseling
Foundations of Education
Educational Psychology
Emotional/Behavioral Problems of Children & Adolescence
Special Education
Inclusion
Communication Skills
Sign Language I (GE)
Sign Language II (GE)
Listening (GE)
Discussion (GE)
Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Psychology of Learning
Drugs and the Brain
Vocational Rehabilitation
Rehab and Chemical Dependency
Rehab and Criminal Justice
Adolescent Substance Use and Abuse
Credits
1
2
2
3
3
1
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
* Part of the Coursework required for the Wisconsin Social Work Training Certificate.
** Part of the coursework required for Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation.
(A grade of (C) or better is required.)
HDFS STUDENT-DESIGNED CONCENTRATION COURSE SUGGESTIONS
EMPHASIS: Family/Family Support Services
Course Number
Course Title
Human Development & Family Studies
HDFS-310
Family Stress and Coping
HDFS-313/513
Parent Education/Involvement*
HDFS-320
Divorced, Single Parent, Remarried Families
HDFS-332
Death and Bereavement
HDFS-352
Sexual and Gender Identities in Families and Societies
HDFS-375
Grantsmanship for Non-Profit
HDFS-410
Families in an Electronic World
HDFS-423
Spirituality across the Lifespan
HDFS-460
Religious Diversity and the Workplace
Sociology
SOC-250
Social Psychology
SOC-275
Sociology of Gender Roles
SOC-315
Criminology
SOCWK-205
Introduction to Social Work** (Spring)
SOCWK-420
Child and Family Agencies** (WinTerm or Spring)
SOCWK-430
Social Casework Methods** (Spring)
SOCWK-440
Social Work with Groups and Communities** (Fall)
SOCWK-450
Social Work Methods III: Macro Practice**
Family and Consumer Education
FCSE-451/651
Family Life Education Programs*
Career and Technical Education
CTE-474/674
Adult Education
Communication Skills
REHAB-305
Sign Language I (GE)
REHAB-306
Sign Language II (GE)
SPCOM-236
Listening (GE)
SPCOM-206
Discussion (GE)
SPCOM-414
Interviewing
Psychology
Psyc-330
Psychology of Learning
PSYC-333
Drugs and the Brain
PSYC-361/561
Abnormal Psychology
Psyc-379
Public Relations
Vocational Rehabilitation
REHAB-320
Rehab and Chemical Dependency
REHAB-402
Management of Non-Profit Organizations
REHAB-315
Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice
Credits
1
2
2
3
3
1
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
* Part of the required coursework for the Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation.
(A grade of (C) or better is required.)
** Part of the coursework required for the Wisconsin Social Work Training Certificate.
HDFS STUDENT-DESIGNED CONCENTRATION COURSE SUGGESTIONS
EMPHASIS: Pre-Counseling
Course Number
HDFS-310
HDFS-313/513
HDFS-320
HDFS-332
HDFS-352
HDFS-410
HDFS-423
HDFS-460
SOC-275
SOC-313
SOCWK-205
SOCWK-420
SOCWK-430
SOCWK-440
SOCWK-450
SPCOM-236
SCOUN-447/647
COUN-405
COUN-494/694
REHAB-320/520
REHAB-321/521
REHAB-488
REHAB-315
REHAB-333
PSYC-280
PSYC-333
PSYC-361/561
PSYC-355
Course Title
Human Development & Family Studies
Family Stress and Coping
Parent Education/Involvement*
Divorced, Single Parent, Remarried Families
Death and Bereavement
Sexual and Gender Identities in Families and Societies
Families in an Electronic World
Spirituality across the Lifespan
Religious Diversity and the Workplace
Sociology
Sociology of Gender Roles
Criminology
Introduction to Social Work* (Spring)
Child and Family Agencies* (WinTerm or Spring)
Social Casework Methods* (Spring)
Social Work with Groups and Communities* (Fall)
Social Work Methods III: Macro Practice*
Communication Skills
Listening (GE)
School Counseling
Emotional/Behavioral Problems of Children and Adolescence
Counseling
Introduction to Counseling Skills
Counseling Older Persons
Vocational Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation and Chemical Dependency
Rehabilitation of Public Offenders
Developing Collaborative Partnerships
Rehabilitation and Criminal Justice
Adolescent Substance Use and Abuse
Psychology
Forensic Psychology, Law and Ethics
Drugs and the Brain
Abnormal Psychology
Clinical and Counseling Psychology
*Part of the coursework required for the Wisconsin Social Work Training Certificate.
02/2013
Credits
1
2
2
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3