Human Development and Family Studies, BS at The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama

United States of America, Tuscaloosa

University Rank:#901

The Human Development and Family Studies, BS at The University of Alabama is a Bachelor program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in Tuscaloosa , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 4 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on July 5, 2027.

About Human Development and Family Studies, BS

Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) focuses on helping children, families, and relationships thrive. Students majoring in HDFS have a genuine concern for children and families and seek the challenge of helping people learn, solve life problems, and successfully interact with others. Students gain an understanding of the development of the family system, the dynamics of family relationships, and an understanding of growth and development throughout the lifespan. HDFS offers concentrations in adolescence and youth development, child life, and family life education and advocacy. The HDFS major with no concentration provides a flexible curriculum and may be particularly appealing for double-majors or students preparing for professional degrees (e.g., medical school).

Concentrations

Adolescence and Youth Development - A major in HDFS with a concentration in adolescence and youth development is available for students who are interested in the growth and development of adolescents and youth within the family, peer, and school contexts. The goal of this concentration is to prepare students for work with youth and adolescents in a variety of settings including community-based programs, family service agencies, and mental-health agencies, or for graduate studies in a variety of fields. This concentration has a one-semester internship requirement.

Family Life Education and Advocacy - A major in HDFS with a concentration in family life education and advocacy is available for students who are interested in family relations and want to learn how to create and deliver educational programming to enhance family functioning. Graduates may qualify for certification as a Family Life Educator by the National Council on Family Relations. The goal of this concentration is to prepare students for work with families in a variety of settings including community-based programs, family service agencies, and mental-health agencies, or for graduate studies in a variety of fields. This concentration has a one-semester internship requirement.

Child Life - A major in HDFS with a concentration in child life is for students who wish to pursue the healthcare career of a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). The curriculum consists of a comprehensive foundation of courses related to child development, family systems, and play, as well as coursework specific to children in the healthcare setting. Laboratory and practicum experiences, along with the conceptual information, provides the foundation necessary to support children and their families in the healthcare setting. Child life specialists provide education about diagnoses and support through procedures, as well as promote development. Graduate are eligible to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination administered by the Child Life Certification Commission of the Association of Child Life Professionals. This concentration requires completion of an internship in a child life clinical setting. A minimum GPA of 3.0, 100 practicum and volunteer hours, competent interviewing skills, and the resources to relocate are basic requirements for students to enter the national competition for a child life internship.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Human Development and Family Studies, BS at The University of Alabama

Entry Requirements

The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student.
- If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission.
- Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses.
- If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page.
Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
- Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency.
- For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

English Requirements

PTEMin 54
IELTSMin 6
TOEFLMin 79

English Program Requirements

The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student.
- If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission.
- Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses.
- If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page.
Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
- Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency.
- For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

Career Opportunities after Completing Human Development and Family Studies, BS

Types of Jobs Accepted

HDFS graduates often pursue graduate study at UA or other prominent universities, or they develop careers in various settings for children, youth, and adults. Most importantly, HDFS graduates work in rewarding careers ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals and families.

Family studies graduates find jobs as family relationships/parenting educators in businesses, mental health agencies, and community or church-related programs. Child life graduates work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and large pediatric practices. Adolescence and youth graduates work in private clinics, human service organizations, community-sponsored programs or with youth groups in churches, synagogues, and other privately funded organizations.

Jobs of Experienced Alumni

Teachers, administrators, community service providers, social services representative, travel agent, teen mom program director, child life specialist in a research hospital, adult or child daycare provider, consumer protection agent, business manager, writer/editor of children's books, parent counselor, hospice manager, State Department of Education staff member, women's protective agency, State Department of Human Resources staff member, and State Department of Children's Affairs staff member and child/family advocate.

Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center

Tuition and Fee Information for Human Development and Family Studies, BS at The University of Alabama

How to Apply for Human Development and Family Studies, BS at The University of Alabama

Copy of your passport
Relevant visa and immigration documents (This includes PR card, current visa, or F-1/ J-1 visa request and supporting documents)
Unofficial transcript copies from every secondary school you have attended. This includes academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work.
- Include an English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
- Students graduating high school in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, The Gambia or Sierra Leone must submit a copy of their WASSCE results and scratch card information (serial number and PIN) in order to complete their application.
Students that graduated 6 or more months ago should also provide a brief statement listing any academic activities since graduation (including any post-secondary coursework at institutions inside or outside of the US, English language programs, study abroad programs, etc.) List name(s) of the institutions and dates of attendance. If you have no additional academic activities, please write a short statement that speaks to your activities during the gap period. In the statement, please include the following and send to International Admissions at [email protected]:
- Full Name
- Address
- High School/Secondary School
- Graduation Date

Human Development and Family Studies, BS at The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama

United States of America, Tuscaloosa