HDFS Major & Courses

About the major

Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) majors develop knowledge and experience about individuals and families through observation, interaction, research and writing. Our curriculum offers students a solid background in statistics, as well as the physical sciences, and provides opportunities for students to implement skills they have mastered through a required practicum course.

Find more about HDFS undergraduate study

Options within the Major

Students may opt for a B.S. in HDFS, for a degree with honors or to take an advanced program of study with honors. They also have the option to pursue a B.S.A. degree. For more, please see All Undergraduate Programs.

All about HDFS at UT Austin

Courses HDFS Students Take

Get a sense for some of the courses that many of our majors take below. A more complete list for each catalog may be found when you search for your degree option by the year of entry or catalog.

Entry-Level Requirements

Natural Sciences students declare a degree and a major after receiving passing grades in key courses. For HDFS, these are typically:

  • Math or Statistics: Differential Calculus for Science (M 408N) or Foundations of Data Analysis (SDS 302F)
  • Human Development and Family Sciences: Family Relationships (HDF 304); Child Development Lecture / Lab (HDF 313 / HDF 113L); Research Methods (HDF 315L)

Examples of Courses

Students take additional courses in the major and other disciplines, such as:

  • Principles of Chemistry
  • Introductory Biology
  • Psychology and other Social Sciences
  • Fundamentals of Nutrition
  • Ethical, Philosophy & Professional Development