Bachelor of Arts
When you pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, you’ll study the complexity of human development, including physical, social, cognitive and affective development in a variety of contexts. The degree prepares you to work with families, children, adolescents, adults or older adults across a wide array of career possibilities in public, private and government settings.
See the catalog for course descriptions and full unit information including degree requirements.
Course requirements
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development requires a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or better in all HD courses, including substitutions. Of the 42 HD hours required for the major (general option), a minimum of 21 must be taken in residence at WSU.
| Introductory Courses (11 credits required) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course number | Course title | Credits |
| HD 101 [SSCI] | Human Development Across the Lifespan- Required | 3 |
| HD 200 | Intro to the Field of Human Development - Required | 2 |
| HD 204 [SSCI] | Family Interactions - Required | 3 |
| HD 205 | Developing Effective Communication and Life Skills | 4 |
| HD 220 | Human Development Theories - Required | 3 |
| Developmental Courses (6 credits required) | ||
| HD 306 | Child Development | 3 |
| HD 307 | Middle Childhood and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| HD 308 | Adult Development | 3 |
| Family Courses (6 credits required) | ||
| HD 300 | Child Maltreatment | 3 |
| HD 301 | Family Stress and Coping | 3 |
| HD 302 | Parent-Child Relationships | 3 |
| HD 350 [DIVR] | Family Diversity - Required | 3 |
| HD 360 | Death and Dying | 3 |
| Social & Human Services Skill-Based Courses (10 credits required) | ||
| HD 310 [M] | Research Methods - Required | 3 |
| HD 320 | Resource Management | 3 |
| HD 334 [SSCI] | Principles of Community Development | 3 |
| HD 341 | Guidance in Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| HD 342 | Curriculum for Early Childhood Programs | 4 |
| HD 385 | Perspectives in Human Services - Required | 3 |
| HD 430 | Professional and Grant Writing Skills | 3 |
| HD 482 | Child Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| HD 496 | Field Placement Preparation - Required | 1 |
| Integrative Courses (6 credits required) | ||
| HD 403 [CAPS] | Families in Poverty - Recommended | 3 |
| HD 405 | Gerontology | 3 |
| HD 406 | Work and Family | 3 |
| HD 410 [M] | Public Policy Issues in Human Development - Required | 3 |
| HD 479 | Planning and Evaluation in Human Development | 3 |
| HD 487 | Special Topics in Human Development | V 1-3 |
| Culminating Experience | ||
| HD 446 | Practicum in Early Childhood Programs – Required for students completing Early Childhood certificate | 6 |
| HD 498 | Field Placement – 3 Credits Required for all HD Majors except students completing Early Childhood certificate | V 1-8 |
| Other Elective Course Options | ||
| HD 485 | Participation in Human Development Research | V 1-3 |
| HD 495 | Instructional Practicum | V 1-4 |
| HD 499 | Special Problems | V 1-4 |
Human development minor
Students majoring in other programs may declare a minor in human development. The minor requires 18 total credits in human development. This includes three mandatory courses, HD 101, HD 204 and HD 220, and 9 credits of upper-division electives approved by the department. An overall human development GPA of 2.6 is required for the minor.