Trying to dig a little deeper into Colorado State’s majors, just starting out in your major search, or want to see what it looks like to be a student in a certain major? Our “3 reasons” series is the perfect place to start. In each installment, we’re bringing you three standout reasons to choose a major, written by the people who work and teach in those majors every day.
The Human Development and Family Studies major is the pathway for you to learn about the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development in humans. You will apply your knowledge on issues relating to various stages across the human lifespan (infant, adolescent, adult, older adults, and beyond) and how they impact culture and families. In the major, you’ll be able to choose from five different concentrations in order to specialize and focus your studies into a specific interest and career path.
1. Involvement opportunities on campus.
The HDFS major is very hands on, allowing you opportunities to get involved, network, and expand your resume. SOUL, or Student Outreach and Undergraduate Leadership, is a student-run organization aimed at developing leadership among HDFS students. ConX is designed to help students integrate and create a community within the five concentrations in the human development and family studies major.
2. Hands-on learning and experiences outside the classroom.
In the major, you’ll learn in the field and in courses designed to keep you engaged and learning as actively as possible. They include a internship placement, practicum opportunities, as well as research, teaching, and advising positions.
There are 13 research labs that not only contribute to scientific knowledge, but also translate their research into programs, policies, and applications that promote positive development for individuals, families, and communities. During your final year, you’ll be required to participate in an internship related to your specific goals and passions. Opportunities for such are offered in more than 35 sites that the College of Health and Human Sciences has approved for learning experiences.
These hands-on learning experiences help prepare our students for a variety of careers after graduation.
3. A broad, supportive community of learners, professors, advisors, and staff.
Within the major, you’ll have, advisors, professors, faculty, peer advisors and fellow students who build a supportive, interconnected community for one another. From the start of your educational career to the end, we are here to help you take advantage of every opportunity to expand your resume and knowledge.
We also have a peer-mentoring program for first-generation students and students of color to help connect you with students who have had similar experiences navigating college life.
We’d love to help answer any questions you have about the Human Development and Family Studies major. Reach out to our advising office at chhs-hdfs_advising@colostate.edu
