The Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science
The Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science practices pedagogy that is grounded in culturally responsive social justice principles of expanding access to services; promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and examining pathways to interrupting systemic barriers to positive development and healthy relationships. At the undergraduate level, the department offers a program in Human Development and Family Science, and the CACREP Accredited master’s degree programs include School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs, including a dual option. The department also offers a Ph.D. program in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science Mission Statement
The Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science strives to advance the science and professional practice of critically conscious human services and counseling professionals. To this end, the department offers undergraduate and graduate programs that focus on the examination of the dynamics of intimate and other close interpersonal relationships, as well as the promotion of healthy development of individuals, relationships, families and communities. The department's pedagogy and curriculum are grounded in culturally responsive social justice principles of expanding access to services; promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; and examining pathways to interrupting systemic barriers to positive development and healthy relationships. Graduates of programs in the department, depending on their program of study, are equipped to offer an array of services in human service agencies, clinical mental health, and school contexts. The department's award-winning faculty are committed to graduate and undergraduate teaching, research, and professional service, as well as the importance of a collaborative scholarly environment.
The Human Development and Family Science Mission Statement
The HDFS program aims to prepare knowledgeable, skilled, critically conscious, and ethical human services professionals and citizens. The HDFS program emphasizes information literacy, critical reflection, and community-engaged learning experiences rooted in social justice and strengths-based frameworks of human development and family science. Graduates are ready to pursue an advanced degree or professional work that promotes positive development and healthy relationships; to empower individuals, families, and communities to thrive; and to interrupt systems of privilege and oppression.
Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science Minor and Undergraduate Certificate
Gerontology - Undergraduate Certificate
Counseling M.S.
Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D.
See the online Graduate Catalogue for more information
Counseling Courses
CNSL 2010. The Helping Relationship. 3 Credits.
Prepares students for the Human Services Profession through the study and practice of professional standards and select helping skills central to effective helping relationships. Prerequisites: HDF 1050 or HDF 1600; Minimum Sophomore standing or Instructor Permission. Cross-listed with: HDF 2010.
CNSL 2990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific title.
CNSL 2993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
Human Development & Fam Sci Courses
HDF 1010. Foundations of HDFS. 3 Credits.
Seminar designed to introduce incoming majors to college expectations and skills, and to concepts and practices of Human Development & Family Science and critically thinking about these concepts and practices. Prerequisite: Human Development and Family Science major. Pre/Co-requisites: HDF 1050.
HDF 1050. Human Development. 3 Credits.
A comprehensive survey of life span individual and family development within social and historical context. Catamount Core: S1.
HDF 1200. Aging:Change & Adaptation. 3 Credits.
Individual and social meanings of aging and old age; physical, physiological, psychological, and sociological changes accompanying aging; individual, family, community, and societal adaptations to aging. Cross-listed with: SOC 1320. Catamount Core: D2.
HDF 1320. Exploring Dvlpmnt in Community. 1 Credit.
Experiential learning course focused on self-exploration work with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen community. Students will be asked to engage in community so as to explore the role that community serves in support of self and others. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
HDF 1600. Family Context of Development. 3 Credits.
Developmental ecological approach to analysis of the family as a system in which individuals develop. Catamount Core: S1.
HDF 1650. Human Relationships &Sexuality. 3 Credits.
Sexual responsibility and the biological, social, psychological growth, and development of human beings in terms of sex role identity. Catamount Core: S1.
HDF 1990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
HDF 1991. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
HDF 1993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
HDF 2009. Writing, Literacy, & Research. 3 Credits.
Facilitates thinking about HDFS as a field of study and applied practice and understanding how to contribute to the discipline actively and effectively. Emphasizes the development of students' academic writing, information literacy, research methodologies, and critical thinking skills. Students will develop translational science skills where they can be critical consumers for best practice, assist students in learning how to read professional and scholarly articles, and summarize research effectively. Prerequisites: HDF 1010, HDF 1050, minimum Sophomore standing.
HDF 2010. The Helping Relationship. 3 Credits.
Prepares students for the Human Services Profession through the study and practice of professional standards and select helping skills central to effective helping relationships. Prerequisites: HDF 1050 or HDF 1600; Minimum Sophomore standing. Cross-listed with: CNSL 2010.
HDF 2200. Adult Development & Aging. 3 Credits.
Examines the biological, cognitive, psychological, and social changes experienced during adulthood and late life. Prerequisites: HDF 1050, HDF 1200, or SOC 1320; minimum Sophomore standing.
HDF 2205. Dev through Relationships. 3 Credits.
Introduces Bowlby's attachment theory as a framework for understanding human development. Through readings, lectures, and critical reflection activities, explores the cross-cultural differences as well as the transcultural and foundational nature of early relationships, their intergenerational transmission, and their impact on later relationships and development (including developmental trauma). Prerequisite: HDF 1050 or HDF 1600.
HDF 2410. Interrogatng White Identity. 3 Credits.
Introductory examination of white identity development and white identity development models from an ecological perspective. Prerequisites: HDF 1050 or HDF 1600; Minimum Sophomore standing. Catamount Core: D1.
HDF 2610. Social Context of Development. 3 Credits.
Developmental ecological approach to analysis of social institutions as influences on human development. Focus on education, community, health care, and social services. Prerequisites: HDF 1600; Minimum Sophomore standing.
HDF 2670. Sexual & Gender Identities. 3 Credits.
Exploration of diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender identities, families, and communities, and their current personal, social, and cultural meanings and contexts. Prerequisites: HDF 1050, HDF 1600; minimum Sophomore standing. Catamount Core: D2.
HDF 2890. Theories of Human Development. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the most influential theories of human development where students study, compare, and evaluate select theories and apply them to issues of practical importance. Prerequisites: HDF 1050, HDF 1600; minimum Sophomore standing. Catamount Core: S1.
HDF 2990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Lectures, laboratories, readings, or projects relating to contemporary areas of study. Enrollment may be more than once, accumulation up to 12 hours.
HDF 2991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion. Prerequisites: HDF 1050, HDF 2610, and Instructor permission.
HDF 2993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
HDF 2994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory-level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
HDF 2995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion. Prerequisite: Minimum Sophomore standing.
HDF 3210. Psychology of Aging. 3 Credits.
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of psychological aspects of aging and identifies key lessons and facilitative practices for supporting positive aging. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890, minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3600. Family Ecosystem. 3 Credits.
Family viewed in and as an environment for human development. The family ecological approach applied to practical family concerns. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890, minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3630. Advanced Child Development. 3 Credits.
Survey of professional literature in child development with special emphasis on influence of early life experiences throughout the life cycle. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890, minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3640. Contemporary Issues Parenting. 3 Credits.
Contemporary cultural factors that influence adult lifestyles and their relationship to successful parenting. May be repeated up to six credits. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890, minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3660. Seminar in Human Development. 3 Credits.
Intensive study of issues in human development and their application in a wide variety of professional areas. May be taken more than once up to a maximum of 12 hours. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890, minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3670. Adv Gender & Sexual Iden. 3 Credits.
Intensive study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender identities, families, and communities in diverse individual, social, political, and cultural contexts. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890, minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3680. Sem In Close Relationships. 3 Credits.
Causal conditions influencing formation, maintenance, and dissolution of intimate adult relationships. Draws on theory and students' personal experiences to explicate the nature of close relationships in contemporary American society. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890; minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3690. Power & Interpersonal Violence. 3 Credits.
Examines the complexities of power, conflict, and violence in close relationships, families, and other interpersonal contexts throughout the lifespan by analyzing scholarly and popular knowledge about power and violence in interpersonal relationships. Prerequisites: HDF 2009, HDF 2610, HDF 2890, minimum Junior standing.
HDF 3990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Lectures, laboratories, readings, or projects relating to contemporary areas of study. Enrollment may be more than once, accumulation up to twelve hours.
HDF 3993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
HDF 3994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory-level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
HDF 3995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
HDF 4991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion. Prerequisites: HDF 1650, HDF 2009, HDF 2205, HDF 2410, HDF 2610, HDF 2890; HDF 2010 or CNSL 2010; Senior standing, Instructor permission required.