Human Development Schools and Programs in The United States

Human Development Studies in The United States

Human development is the study of how people grow and change from infancy to old age, and of the families, schools, workplaces and communities in which that happens. In the United States it is an established university subject, most often taught as Human Development and Family Studies or Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS). Texas Tech University describes its programme as exploring the science of development across the life span with a focus on relationships, covering the biological, cognitive, social, emotional, environmental and cultural aspects of development.

How the degree is organised

According to EducationUSA, the US bachelor's degree is usually completed in four years of full-time study and is awarded after a specified number of credits in a major field, together with classes in a wide variety of other subjects. Human development is one of these majors, and it continues at graduate level:

• Associate degree (two years) at community and technical colleges
• Bachelor's degree (usually a Bachelor of Science, four years) in human development and family studies or sciences
• Master's degree (MS), on campus or online
• PhD, for research and university teaching

Examples from the schools' own pages: Texas Tech University offers a B.S., an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences, bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood Education and online master's options with concentrations in gerontology and youth development; the bachelor's degree can be taken in Lubbock or fully online. The University of Wisconsin-Madison lists Human Development and Family Studies both as an undergraduate major and as a PhD in its School of Human Ecology. Oregon State University teaches human development and family sciences at its Corvallis campus and through its Ecampus, with master's options and a PhD. At The Pennsylvania State University the HDFS department offers a major and a minor, and its research covers family and individual development, intervention and prevention, and methodology.

Some universities give the subject a different angle. Vanderbilt University's B.S. in Human and Organizational Development prepares students to address social problems in organisations and communities, and ends with a semester-long organisational capstone in the junior or senior year.

Admission and visa

Application requirements vary greatly from one institution to another. EducationUSA lists the usual elements for undergraduate admission: secondary school diploma and transcripts with English translations, standardised test scores where required to assess academic ability and English proficiency, recommendation letters and a personal statement. Applications are typically due between November and January for a start the following September. Community colleges may have a more flexible admissions process, and in the "2+2" route students complete two years at a community college followed by two years at a university to earn a bachelor's degree.

International students need a student visa. The F visa is for study at an accredited US college or university; the institution must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and issues the Form I-20 for the visa application. EducationUSA advises checking that the institution is accredited, because recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and by employers is linked to accreditation.

Costs

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, average tuition and fees in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public four-year institutions (the in-state rate; non-residents usually pay more), $40,700 at private nonprofit four-year institutions and $4,000 at public two-year colleges. Each university publishes its own rates for international students.

Where to study human development in the United States

The schools on this page are spread across the country, with one school per city. Large public universities include The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Oregon State University in Corvallis, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, the University of Connecticut in Storrs, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech University in Lubbock and the University of California campuses at Davis and San Diego. Private universities on the list include Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Northwestern University in Evanston and The University of Chicago. Two-year options include Western Nevada College in Carson City and Central Ohio Technical College in Newark. Teaching is in English.

Careers

Texas Tech states that its graduates become qualified for careers in healthcare, social services, education, public policy, public health programmes, non-profit agencies, counselling and parent and family life education, or go on to graduate studies. Licensed professions such as counselling, social work or teaching require further qualifications, which depend on the state.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) gives figures for some related occupations. Social and community service managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience; their median annual wage was $80,390 in May 2025 and employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. For social and human service assistants the median annual wage was $45,930, with 7 percent projected growth. Preschool and childcare centre directors had a median annual wage of $59,300.

Frequently asked questions

What is human development called at US universities?

Most often Human Development and Family Studies or Human Development and Family Sciences, abbreviated HDFS. Some universities use other names, such as Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt.

How long does the degree take?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. Master's degrees and PhDs follow the bachelor's.

Can I study human development online?

Some universities offer online options. Texas Tech, for example, offers its bachelor's degree fully online and has online master's programmes.