Florida State University

What you'll study

This degree combines coursework in lifespan human development, family systems, research methods and applied practice. Core topics typically include child development, adolescent and adult development, ageing and gerontology, family theory, parent–child relationships, diversity and culture in families, and family policy. Students also take quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistics to prepare for evidence-based practice and evaluation.

• Foundations: theories of human development, family systems, and lifespan perspectives.
• Developmental courses: infancy and early childhood, cognitive and socio-emotional development, adolescence and adult development.
• Applied family studies: parenting, couple and family relationships, family intervention strategies, and community supports.
• Research and methods: developmental research methods, programme evaluation, and statistics for social science.
• Practicum and internship: supervised field placements in community agencies, schools or healthcare settings to build applied skills.
• Electives and specialisms: options often include early childhood education, gerontology, disability studies, child welfare, or policy and advocacy.

Entry requirements

Admission to Florida State University’s undergraduate programmes normally requires a completed high school qualification or equivalent and successful application through the university admissions process. For this specific major, applicants should demonstrate preparation in college‑level English and mathematics and show evidence of interest in human development, social services or related fields through coursework, volunteering or paid experience.

• Required documents typically include official transcripts and standardised test scores when applicable to the university’s general admissions policy.
• Transfer applicants are expected to present college transcripts and course equivalencies; relevant community college coursework in psychology, sociology or child development strengthens an application.
• Some applicants highlight experience such as volunteering with children, working in social service agencies, or participating in research labs to indicate readiness for practicum components.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared for a variety of entry-level roles in human services and community organisations as well as for graduate study. Common career paths include case management, programme coordination, family support worker, early years practitioner, youth worker, research assistant, and roles in non-profit organisations or public agencies. With further professional qualifications, graduates often progress into social work, counselling, family therapy, public health, education, or policy and advocacy positions.

• Direct service roles in child welfare, family support, and community agencies.
• Program administration and coordination in non-profit and governmental organisations.
• Research and evaluation assistantships in academic or applied research settings.
• Postgraduate pathways into social work, clinical mental health, marriage and family therapy, public policy, or higher degrees in human development.

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University’s College of Human Sciences offers a programme grounded in interdisciplinary scholarship and community engagement. Students benefit from faculty who are active researchers and practitioners, opportunities for applied learning through supervised field placements in the Tallahassee region, and access to research labs and community partnerships. The university’s location near state government provides added opportunities for internships and policy-focused experience, while campus career and advising services help translate undergraduate training into employment or graduate study pathways.

• Interdisciplinary curriculum combining theory, research and applied practice.
• Strong practicum and internship network with community agencies and schools.
• Faculty engaged in research across lifespan development, family intervention and policy.
• Support services for career development, undergraduate research and professional preparation.