Purpose

The HFD minor equips students with interdisciplinary knowledge of issues relevant to diverse patterns of human and family development, and provides them with practical skills and insights which enhance their abilities in a variety of professions which deal with developmental and family issues.

Objectives:

1. Establish and support cohorts of students with similar academic, community service, and professional goals who are supported through the minor to achieve those goals.
2. Provide students with interdisciplinary knowledge of theory and research concerning lifespan development and the roles of the family in development.
3. Expose students to an interdisciplinary approach to human and family development grounded in principles of cultural competence and social justice.
4. Train students to be critical consumers of research and evaluation results in the human and family development areas.
5. Provide students with practical experience in at least one service learning site related to human and family development.
6. Provide students with the opportunity to take topical courses in typical and atypical development of the individual and family.

Kassie Gahagan, HFD Minor The Human and Family Development minor has a unique blend of coursework and practicum options that make it the perfect fit for me. I am a Psychology major at the UM and am able to use this minor's diverse coursework to dabble in other interesting classes which I would have otherwise neglected.

"The practicum has helped me to gain valuable real-life experience that have already proved applicable. My experience working with children in the practicum led to to gain a job as a summer camp counselor. I am pleased with the opportunities the HFD minor has already given me and can't wait to see where else it takes me."

Areas and emphasis

The Human and Family Development minor is an interdisciplinary program of study, encompassing a broad range of ages and areas including:

• Early Intervention
• Early Child Development
• School-Age Development
• Adolescence
• Gerontology
• Family Processes

The HFD minor emphasizes the view that:

• Human growth is a valid subject of scientific study; and
• Knowledge of the processes and contents of psychological, social and biological growth of the individual separately and within the family context will benefit the quality of life of both the student/investigator and the public.