Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. at University of Wisconsin Madison

University of Wisconsin Madison

United States of America, Madison

University Rank:#110

International students can study the Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. at University of Wisconsin Madison at its main campus in Madison , United States of America. This Bachelor degree is available as a Full Time program delivered on campus in English. The program has a duration of 4 years and is offered at the university's main campus. Students can apply for the next intake starting on September 7, 2027.

About Human Development and Family Studies, B.S.

Major Overview
Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)
Infant Mental Health (IMH)

The undergraduate major in human development and family studies (HDFS) offers specialized courses in human development from infancy through old age, couples and family relationships, research methods, policymaking, parent-child relations, family health and well-being, parent education and support, and ethnic and cultural diversity in families. In addition to coursework, all students engage in a 150-hour, semester-long internship or high-impact learning experience in a professional setting related to their major and career goals. These settings include community mental health programs, early childhood education, legislative offices, health care agencies, research labs, criminal justice systems, child and family life education, and community-based social justice programs.

The major prepares students for careers in human and family service organizations and for graduate or professional school in a variety of fields including health care, education, family law, counseling, occupational therapy, program evaluation, physical therapy, case management, and the child life profession.

Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE)

The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) provides the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential, which isrecognized in the U.S. and Canada for Family Life Education professions.

The program encourages applications from professionals who havepreparation and experience in Family Life Education settings, including formal teaching, research/scholarship, community education, public information and education, curriculum and resource development, health care, military family support, and ministry. CFLEs have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees.

Certificationmust include graduating from HDFS, which is a CFLE-approved program here at UW-Madison.

Students seeking this designation must complete the following courses: HDFS 362, 363, 425, 471, 474, 501: Skills for Helping Professions, 516, 517, 535, 601, 650, CNSR SCI 273, PSYCH/SOC 453 OR GEN&WS 103.

For additional information, please contact SoHE's Advising & Career Center or Polina Levchenko, HDFS Faculty Associate.

Infant Mental Health (IMH)

The HDFS course concentration in IMH focuses on promoting the social emotional development of children age 0-6 years within the family and community context. It is designed to be compatible with IMH Endorsement by the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health (WI-AIMH)entry level Infant Family Associate Endorsement.

Please note that one must be a member of the organization and apply for endorsement with references in addition to completing the B.S. in HDFS with course requirements and guidelines specified below.

Competency areas:

Theoretical foundations
- Any course in HDFS Learning Outcome 1 AND
- HDFS 471 in Learning Outcome 3 AND
- HDFS 663 OR HDFS 650 in Learning Outcome 5
Law, regulation, and agency policy
- HDFS 535 in Learning Outcome 4
Systems expertise
- HDFS 469 in Learning Outcome 4 OR
- HDFS 516 AND 517 in Learning Outcome
Direct service skill
- HDFS 663 in Learning Outcome 5 AND
- Relevant internship (HDFS 601) and HDFS Professional Development sequence
Working with others
- Any course in Learning Outcome 2 AND
- HDFS 601
Communicating
- Comm A and Comm B requirements for HDFS major
Thinking
- Any Research Methods Course in Learning Outcome 6 AND
- Quant A and Quant B requirements for HDFS major AND
- HDFS 663 in Learning Outcome 5

For additional information, please contactSoHE's Advising & Career Centeror Julie Poehlmann-Tynan, Professor in HDFS.

Knowledge of lifespan human development (including cognitive, social, and emotional development and individual differences) in social and ecological contexts.
Knowledge of family and community diversity.
Knowledge of internal family processes, including parenting and parent-child relations, couples, and family relationships across generations and family health and wellbeing.
Ability to consider and evaluate how children, adults, and individual families affect and are affected by policies, media, or other social institutions.
Knowledge about the effective and ethical practice of assessment, prevention, intervention, or outreach for individuals and families.
Ability to understand, evaluate, and ethically conduct social science research.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. at University of Wisconsin Madison

Entry Requirements

All undergraduate students at UW–Madison must complete the university-wide General Education Requirements, which are designed to convey the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. These requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, and natural sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society. This core is intended to provide students with intellectual and practical skills, basic knowledge of human cultures and the physical world, strategies for understanding these topics, and tools intended to contribute to their sense of personal and social responsibility. General Education complements the work students do in their majors and degrees. Together, these requirements help students learn what they need to know not just for making a living, but also for making a life.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each school and college may choose to allow General Education courses to count toward other degree and/or major requirements. Students should always check with their advisors to discuss any additional degree requirements and determine if students are required to take specific General Education courses or to complete the requirements in a particular order. Students should review their Degree Audit (DARS) report to see how they are progressing toward fulfilling the General Education requirements. Please refer to.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 80

English Program Requirements

Freshman applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school.

All English proficiency exams should be sent electronically, directly from the testing service.

We do not superscore any English Proficiency exam and score reports cannot be older than two years from the time you apply.

How to Send Official Test Scores

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Minimum accepted score: 105+
When submitting your score(s): Search category should be “Undergraduate,” then select “University of Wisconsin–Madison”
Please do not send to offices listed under “Other,” as we are unable to retrieve those scores
The DET should be sent with sub-scores

IELTS

Minimum accepted score: 6.5+
When submitting your score(s): IELTS does not require a code, so please select our account name, “University of Wisconsin, Madison Undergraduate”
Please do not send paper copies of your IELTS scores
We do accept the IELTS Indicator

TOEFL iBT:

Minimum accepted score: 80+
When submitting your score(s): TOEFL test code is 1846
We do not accept “MyBest” score from TOEFL nor any English Proficiency exam
For each TOEFL you submit, we will require the full score report
We do not accept the TOEFL iTP Plus for China, but we will accept the iBT Special Home Edition

If you feel that you qualify for an English Proficiency Exam waiver based upon the requirements above, please submit all required transcripts to our office. Other test scores such as ACT, SAT, or AP (Advanced Placement) scores do not meet the requirements for a waiver. Once your transcripts are received in our office (are no longer displayed on your to-do list in your Student Center), we will determine your waiver eligibility. Waivers will not be processed prior to receipt of both the admissions application and transcripts.

Career Opportunities after Completing Human Development and Family Studies, B.S.

Advising & Career center

The Advising & Career Center fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming SoHE alumni.

Academic Advising

Each SoHE student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. SoHE academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective SoHE students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience.

To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE academic advisor, visit Advising in SoHE.

Career Development

Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. SoHE career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through individual and group advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.

To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE career advisor, visit Career Development.

Tuition and Fee Information for Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. at University of Wisconsin Madison

Application Fee 60

How to Apply for Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. at University of Wisconsin Madison

Every year, we are fortunate to receive thousands of applications from a diverse range of students who are incredibly bright, engaged, and passionate. They have challenged themselves and those around them to make a difference in the world. They know that the University of Wisconsin–Madison is their next step toward something extraordinary—a place where they can lead, make discoveries, tackle key issues, gain knowledge, and establish lifelong friendships.

Starting on August 1 every year, you can begin applying to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The following deadlines pertain to both domestic and international applicants.

Applications and all required application materials must arrive in our office by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on the noted deadline dates.

We cannot begin to review your application until all required materials are received.

We strongly recommend that you apply with an email that is not affiliated with your high school and that you check often. This will ensure that you have continued access to your email account after graduation from high school.

You can apply using either the Common Application or the UW System Application.

Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. at University of Wisconsin Madison

University of Wisconsin Madison

United States of America, Madison