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Apr 24, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Human Development and Family Sciences, Comprehensive Major (B.S.)
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 Return to: Undergraduate Programs
All emphases in this major have an applied as well as a theoretical orientation. The major emphasizes a developmental life-span approach to individual and family change. The influence of family relations, prevention, and wellness on one another is the guiding principle in all programs.
All students will enter Human Development and Family Sciences as a major with one of two emphases: Family Social Services or Child Development.
The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at https://www.chhs.niu.edu/resources/student-learning-outcomes.shtml.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
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Emphasis 1. Family Social Services
This emphasis is intended for students who seek entry-level employment in family service, family life education, mental health, or community welfare agencies which serve primarily older children, adolescents, adults, couples, and/or the elderly. It is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in social work, human development and family sciences, marriage and family therapy, and related fields. Requirements in School (42)
Select FOUR Electives (12-16):
Requirements outside School (18-19)
Total Hours for Emphasis 1, Family Social Services: 72-77
Special Requirements
Prior to registering for HDFS 491, NIU must have a signed affiliation agreement with the agency where the student will be serving their internship. Professional liability insurance is provided through a course fee. Application is required in September for internships during the following spring term. In the semester prior to enrollment in HDFS 491, students are required to attend monthly meetings. Students must complete HDFS 491 with a grade of C or better. To qualify for the Family Social Services (FSS) and the Certified Family Life Education internship, students must pass a criminal background check that is conducted through the College of Health and Human Sciences. However, students are responsible for the cost of this background check. Students are also requested to read the information supplied on each link on the following web page Clinical/Special Requirements - NIU - Family and Consumer Sciences to know more about the process.
B.S. Completion in Emphasis 1
This completion program is limited to students with an Applied Associate of Science degree in human development and family studies from City Colleges of Chicago. Upon successful completion at NIU of at least 7 semester hours of HDFS 491 with a grade of C or better, the student will receive a total of 9 semester hours credit for: HDFS 488, HDFS 491 and one 3 credit upper division elective. The required community service hours will be waived for students who have completed an Associates of Applied Science in Human Development & Family Studies from the City Colleges of Chicago. Graduates of other community colleges with similar programs can petition the School of Family and Consumer Sciences for a review of their transcripts. Emphasis 2. Child Development
This emphasis provides preparation for professionals who serve infants, toddlers, and young children and their parents in both home- and community-based parent-child and parenting programs, in child-life, early intervention, and early childhood education programs, and in leadership/ advocacy positions. With this preparation, graduates are qualified to apply for an Early Childhood Core Credential Level V, the Infant/Toddler Credential Level V, and an Early Intervention Developmental Therapist credential. Except for developmental therapy, students apply for credentialing through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies found at https://www.ilgateways.com. Students apply for developmental therapy credentialing through Provider Connections found at https://providerconnections.org/applications-overview. In addition, the emphasis provides the foundation for the Illinois Director Credential Level II when combined with previous or concurrent administrative hours or NIU practicum hours. Students interested in the Illinois Director Credential have specific coursework requirements and should proceed through the emphasis in consultation with their advisor. The Child Development Emphasis is recommended as preparation for advanced degrees in child development, infant mental health, human development and family sciences, and related fields. Requirements in School (54-63)
One of the following areas of study (9-18)
Parent/Infant Specialist (9)
Child Life Specialist (18)
A minimum of 3 credits from the following (3)
Leadership Studies (9-12)
Requirements outside School (15-16)
One of the following (3-4)
Total Hours for Emphasis 2, Child Development: 69-79
Special Requirements
Prior to enrollment in HDFS 490, students are required to attend mandatory meetings every fall and spring semester. At the time of enrolling in HDFS 490, the following prerequisites must be completed: - declaration as a major in emphasis 2;
- meet DCFS licensing requirements for personnel, including:
- physical and mental competencies that do not interfere with child care responsibilities,
- verification of a nonreactive two step tuberculin skin test and physical exam within the last 6 months,
- fingerprint-based criminal background check,
- 3 letters of reference,
- certification in first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
- proof of Illinois Network of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies’ Gateway Registry.
- and consent of the school.
- Professional liability insurance is provided through a course fee.
Students must complete HDFS 490 with a grade of C or better. Students electing the study area of parent/infant or child life specialist must have taken HDFS 439 or be concurrently enrolled in it when taking HDFS 490. HDFS 494 is designed only for students who are pursuing the Illinois Gateways Director Credential Certificate level 2. B.S. Completion in Emphasis 2
This program is limited to students holding an Applied Associate of Science degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related area. Upon successful completion of specific, designated major requirements taken at NIU, qualified students may use proficiency credit where reviewed and awarded to fulfill the requirements for the NIU HDFS Child Development emphasis. In addition, to receive the B. S. degree, students must satisfy all other university graduation and major requirements. Though degree completion students are exempt from the NIU residency requirement, Child Development degree completion students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at NIU, excluding proficiency credit.
Those interested in the B. S. degree completion program in Child Development should visit: https://www.chhs.niu.edu/facs/programs/human-development/bachelor-degree/child-development.shtml for more information regarding applying to the program. Contingent upon the curriculum of the individual A.A.S. degree institution, students may receive proficiency credit for the following Child Development major course work: HDFS 230, HDFS 280, HDFS 284, HDFS 231, HDFS 330, HDFS 330A, HDFS 331, HDFS 331A, HDFS 332, and HDFS 332A. Additional proficiency credit up to 30 semester hours may be awarded. |
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