Studies & Degrees in Human Development
Human development is the study of how people grow and change from birth to old age, and of the families, schools and communities in which that happens. It is a multidisciplinary subject. The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) describes its major as a programme that examines the development of individuals and families across the life span, with courses on the biological, psychological, social, cultural and economic aspects of development. It overlaps with developmental psychology but is broader and more applied: students also learn how services for children, young people, families and older adults work.
In many universities the subject is called human development and family studies, or family sciences (HDFS). The same words are also used in economics for the well-being of whole populations; this page is about the degree subject.
Qualifications and levels
Human development as a named degree is mainly found in the United States.
- Bachelor's degree. At Penn State the Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies requires a minimum of 120 credits and has two options: Human Development and Family Science, and Developmental Science for Health Professions. Students complete a capstone, which may be an internship, a guided research project or advanced coursework. The University of Connecticut offers a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Sciences; the major requires 43 credits at the 2000 level or above and can include a concentration in early childhood development and education. The University of California San Diego offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Human Developmental Sciences, with specialisations in Equity and Diversity and in Healthy Aging.
- Master's degree and doctorate. Texas Tech University offers an MS and a PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences, an accelerated route from the BS to the MS, and online master's programmes with concentrations in gerontology and in youth development.
- Related degrees. Early childhood education is often taught in the same department, as at Texas Tech University. In Europe the content is usually part of degrees in psychology, education or social work, and the name human development is less common.
Practical experience is a regular part of these degrees. The University of Connecticut mentions internships and research practicums, and Penn State counts approved field experiences as a capstone.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 32 active schools for human development. The United States has 22 of them; Spain and the United Kingdom have two each, and New Zealand, Austria, Finland, Russia, Mexico and Germany one each. The US schools include The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Vanderbilt University, Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, the University of Connecticut, Texas Tech University, Colorado State University and the University of California San Diego. Outside the United States the list includes the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and the Universidad de Alcalá in Spain, The University of Northampton in the United Kingdom, Massey University in New Zealand, the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and the University of Graz in Austria.
US programmes are taught in English. Some can be followed at a distance: Penn State lists its World Campus among the campuses that offer the Human Development and Family Science option, and Texas Tech University has online master's programmes. For schools in other countries, check the language of instruction and the exact name of the degree on the school's own site.
Careers
Graduates work with people at different stages of life. Texas Tech University names healthcare, social services, education, public policy, public health programmes, non-profit agencies, counselling, and parent and family life education, as well as graduate studies. Penn State lists preschools, daycare centres, hospital programmes for children, youth and families, and community mental health programmes as typical employment settings.
The degree alone does not give access to regulated professions such as clinical psychology, social work or school teaching, which have their own licensing rules in each country. Many graduates therefore continue with a master's degree.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of social and human service assistants to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average; the entry requirement is typically a high school diploma, so a degree is an advantage and not a condition. Employment of social and community service managers, who typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience, is also projected to grow 7 percent over the same period.
Frequently asked questions
Is human development the same as psychology?
No. It uses developmental psychology but adds family studies, sociology, health and education, and it covers the whole life span. It is also more applied, with internships in services for children, families or older adults.
How long does a bachelor's degree in human development take?
At Penn State the degree requires a minimum of 120 credits; the university's bulletin does not state a length in years, so check the study plan with the school.
Can I study human development online?
Yes, at some universities. Penn State offers one option of its degree through its World Campus, and Texas Tech University offers online master's programmes in gerontology and youth development.
What can I do with a degree in human development?
Typical fields are social services, early childhood programmes, healthcare support, non-profit organisations and public policy. Regulated professions such as psychologist or social worker require further study and a licence.