Undergraduate Catalog 2005 - 2006

School of Family Studies

Charles M. Super, Ph.D., Dean, School of Family Studies

The School of Family Studies focuses on human development within the context of families and the broader social environment. Courses focus on contemporary issues and research concerning individual development and family processes. Curriculum in the Human Development and Family Studies Program emphasizes the following areas: Early Childhood Development and Education, Childhood and Adolescence, Family Relations and Counseling, Family Social Policy and Planning, and Adult Development and Aging.

Admission Requirements.  For freshman and transfer students, see the "Admission" section of the Catalog. For students transferring from within the University, contact the School of Family Studies Academic Advising Center (860) 486-4632.See Admission to the University.

Bachelor's Degree Requirements

On the recommendation of the faculty of the school and by vote of the Board of Trustees, students who meet the specified requirements receive the degree of Bachelor of Science. Those requirements include: (1) earned a total of 120 credits, (2) a student earned at least a 2.0 grade point average for all calculable  course work, (3) met the General Education Requirements, and major and related requirements.

University General Education Requirements

Students must meet the University of Connecticut General Education requirements. Requirements for  the four General Education content areas are listed in the "Academic Regulations" section of the Catalog. Students meet the computer technology, information literacy, and writing competency requirements through satisfactory completion of HDFS 205W and HDFS 293W.

School Requirements

Students in the School of Family Studies must complete the following requirements.
For Content Area 1, Arts and Humanities, School of Family Studies students are required to take a third course, which must be in a third subject area.
HDFS 190; PSYC 132, 135 (or 133); SOCI 107; and STAT 100 or STAT 110  (Note: These courses may also fulfill University General Education requirements.)

Human Development and Family Studies Major

Human Development and Family Studies Major
The major in Human Development and Family Studies requires 51 credits in courses at the 200 level including 39 Human Development of Family Studies credits and 12 credits in courses related to but outside the major. A student completing requirements for a major must have a grade point average of 2.0 or better in the credits that count toward the major in Human Development and Family Studies. Students are allowed much flexibility in tailoring their major to meet their particular interests and educational goals.  Most students choose to focus their work in one or more of the following concentrations:
 
· Early Childhood Development and Education
· Childhood and Adolescence
· Family Relationships:  Services and Counseling
· Family in Society:  Social Policy and Planning
· Adult Development and Aging
This major must include all of the following required courses:

HDFS 201, 202, 204, 205W, 273, and 293W

This major must include the completion of one of the following courses:

HDFS 264,274, 276, 281, 281, 285

This major also must include at least 18 credits from the following courses. These courses may include courses listed above which were not taken to meet that requirement (HDFS 264, 274, 276, 281, 285). No more than 3 credits from the following group of courses may be used toward completion of these 18 credits: HDFS 221, 224, 228, 288, 292, 299.

HDFS 218, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 227, 228, 230, 231, 234, 240, 245, 248, 250, 252,259, 260, 264, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 283, 284, 285, 287, 288, 291, 292, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299

Individualized Major

Students who are not on scholastic probation and have a total GPA of 2.5 may apply for an individualized major program. The major consists of 36 credits, all numbered 200 or above, from Human Development of Family Studies and at least one other department. No more than 3 credits of internship or fieldwork from any school or college may be used towards the 36 credits. A minimum of 18 credits must be in Human Development and Family Studies. As part of the 18 credits in Human Development and Family Studies, students must complete HDFS 205W and HDFS 293W. Students must follow the University General Education Requirements and those of Human Development and Family Studies. Students should submit proposals after they have earned at least 30 credits, but prior to beginning their final 30 credits of study. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 and graduate with both a total and major GPA of 2.5.

For further information and application forms, contact the Director of the  Individualized Major Program, (860) 486-3631.

Minors

A minor in Gerontology is administered under the auspices of the Center on Aging and Human Development in the School of Family Studies.  Please refer to its description in the "Minors" section of this Catalog.

Honor's Program

The Human Development and Family Studies Honors Program offers motivated students a way of enhancing their studies while providing distinction to their academic records through more in-depth study and the opportunity for independent projects or research. Human Development and Family Studies majors with an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher and a GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply to the Honors Program in Human Development and Family Studies. Students should apply as early as possible, and applications will not be accepted after the first semester of a students junior year. Honors Scholars who complete the required honors course work and an approved honors thesis project, as well as maintain the required GPA, will graduate with a B.S. with Honors. For more information on this program, contact the Human Development and Family Studies Honors Advisor.

A minor in Gerontology is administered under the auspices of the Center on Aging and Human Development in the School of Family Studies. Please refer to its description in the Minors section of this Catalog.