Online B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies
Your path to a career that enhances your well-being and the well-being of others.
From Lawyer to Lawmaker, Pre-med to Pre-school, School counselor to Psychologist, the University of Utah’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family studies prepares you for a wide range of impactful opportunities.
Credits Required
What Does It Cost
$537.55/credit*
*Effective Fall 2025. Subject to change without notice
Tuition Estimator
Learning Format
Start Terms
Fall, Spring, Summer
Why Choose UOnline’s Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies?
The HDFS major and minor at UOnline uncover how social, economic, political, and physical environments shape families and individual development. Through core courses, you build a strong foundation of knowledge, which you can further personalize with electives covering topics like family dynamics, parenting, intimacy, and community health. The program integrates insights from psychology, sociology, economics, and biology, giving you a well-rounded perspective on human behavior and family relationships across the lifespan.
With the Family and Consumer Studies Department, you benefit from over a decade of experience delivering online education. At the same time, you can participate in hands-on learning through undergraduate research, internships, and community service. By participating in real-world opportunities, you make a positive impact on the lives of others even before you graduate.
Whether you’re focusing on a major or minor, the flexibility of UOnline’s human development and family studies program curriculum allows you to tailor your studies to your interests while developing practical skills employers highly value.
Application Deadlines
Why wait to begin your journey? With flexible semester start dates, you can apply now and start working toward your human development and family studies online degree when it fits your schedule.
Any Semester Admission
Start your online human development and family studies degree in any semester! Submit your application by Nov. 1 for spring, March 1 for summer or April 1 for fall.
Human Development and Family Studies Overview
At the University of Utah, our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Enjoy the benefit of studying online at your own pace while still engaging with classmates and instructors. This flexible way of teaching improves your overall experience and your ability to retain what you learn.
Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:
- Group assignments, where you collaborate via email or a discussion forum to answer a problem set.
- Contributions to a discussion forum, where you directly respond to previous posts.
- Peer reviews, where you review and comment on assignments from other students.
Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:
- Communicate directly with the instructor via email.
- Participate in and guide online discussions.
- Attend online office hours in discussion threads or on the phone.
- Instructors are available in “real” office hours for students on or near campus; for some courses we offer Q&A sessions in a classroom.
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies or a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the College of Social and Behavioral Science.
All courses at the University of Utah, whether online or on campus, are taught by the same expert faculty members.
Major in HDFS
HDFS is one of the shortest majors offered at the U and can be completed quickly, depending on how many credits you have already earned toward the university's 122 credit requirement. You also have the flexibility to complete this program part time. Explore our sample schedule.
To complete the human development and family studies online degree, you must take 34 credits in the FCS department, 12 allied credits, and a combination of general education courses.
view major curriculum & requirements
Minor in HDFS
An HDFS minor requires the completion of six core credits plus 10 elective credits.
The tuition rate for the online human development and family studies degree is $537.55 (effective Fall 2025) per credit hour. Tuition is subject to change, and changes typically occur in the summer but can happen at any time. Use the tuition estimator to determine the total cost for your courses.
Tuition does not include additional fees such as online textbooks or proctored exams. Fees and materials vary by program.
The FCS department offers several scholarships that UOnline students are welcome to apply for. Applications are due in February and the money would be awarded for the Fall and/or Spring semester of the following school year.
Discover more about UOnline pricing, financial aid and scholarships.
Note: New students beginning their studies with UOnline in fall 2024 may be eligible for university employee tuition reductions in certain cases. Email us at uonline@utah.edu to find out if you qualify.
You can apply to the human development and family studies online degree program by completing the University of Utah application. There are no additional applications, specific admission requirements, or prerequisites.
Career Outcomes
UOnline’s human development and family studies degree opens doors to various career opportunities in family law, education, health care, counseling, advocacy, early intervention, and more. Meet with a Career Coach to tailor your path and explore the many job options available to you.
Potential Roles
With a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies, you may earn a role as:
- Academic Advisor
- Afterschool Program Director
- Caseworker
- Child Care License Specialist
- Community Education Coordinator
- Early Childhood Interventionist
- Human Resource Assistant
- Parent Educator
- Preschool Teacher
- Psychiatric Technician
- Public Affairs Assistant
- Research Coordinator
- Social Service Worker
Further Your Education
For those seeking further education, this degree provides an excellent foundation for advanced studies in fields such as social and public policy, psychology, counseling, social work, law, and more.
With a master’s degree, you may be eligible for positions like:
- Behavior Analyst
- CEO/Program Director (various nonprofits and government agencies)
- Child Life Specialist
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Data Collection Specialist/Data Analyst
- Developmental Screening Coordinator
- K-12 Public School Teacher
- Lawyer
- Occupational Therapist
- School Counselor/Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Special Education Consultant
86% of Jobs
Require a College Degree
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showcases that 86% of positions in family and consumer sciences require their employees to hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
$48,000
Median Annual Wage
The median annual salary for employees in the field of family and consumer sciences was $48,000 in 2022, according to the BLS.
511,900
Currently Employed
In 2022, the BLS shared that over 500,000 family and consumer sciences professionals were employed, and opportunities in this field are continuing to increase.
Department Contact
We’re here to support you. Get in touch to learn more about UOnline’s Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies degree program.
Jennifer Stout
Lead Advisor
Family & Consumer Studies
jenny.stout@fcs.utah.edu
Schedule an Appointment