Jun 06, 2025

2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog

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2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog

Human Development and Family Science, BS

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Admissions: Freshmen = Open / Transfer = Min. Criteria

Process: Declaration

Min. Total Credits: 120 (81 in core & major + 39 in electives)

UHM General Education Core Requirements

Foundations

Written Communication (FW)

(3 credits)

Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)

Note: This requirement changed in Fall 2018. If you entered the UH System prior to that, please see your college/school advisor.

(FQ; 3 credits) replaces Symbolic Reasoning (FS; 3 credits) effective Fall 2018

Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG)

(FGA, FGB, FGC; 6 credits)

Group A (FGA) courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500
Group B (FGB) courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times
Group C (FGC) courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times

Diversification

* See degree, college and major requirements for courses that can also fulfill these.

Arts (DA), Humanities (DH), and Literatures (DL)

(6 credits from 2 categories)

Arts (DA*)
Humanities (DH*)
Literatures (DL*)

Natural Sciences

Biological Science (DB*; 3 credits)
Physical Science (DP*; 3 credits)
Laboratory (science) (DY*; 1 credit)

Biological Science (DB)

FSHN 185 - The Science of Human Nutrition Credits: 3

Social Sciences (DS)

HDFS 230 - Human Development Credits: 3
NREM 220 - Agricultural and Resource Economics Credits: 3
OR
ECON 120 - Introduction to Economics Credits: 3
OR
ECON 130 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
OR
ECON 131 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3

UHM Graduation Requirements

Focus

**The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.”

Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H)

(H or HAP**; 1 course, any level)

Contemporary Ethical Issues (E)

(E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Oral Communication (O)

(O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Writing Intensive (W)

(W or WI**; 5 courses, at least two of which are at the 300- or 400-level)

Hawaiian Or Second Language (HSL)

Four semesters of one language (202 equivalent)
Three-semester sequence (usually 101, 102 and 201) in a single language and one approved culture course
Two-semester sequence (usually 101 and 102) in a single language and two approved culture courses

Credit Minimums

120 total applicable
30 UH Mānoa credits
45 upper division (300+ level) credits

Grade Point Average

2.0 cumulative or higher (Note: Other GPAs may be required)
Good academic standing

College Requirements

CTAHR Required Set of Interrelated Courses

HDFS 380 - Research Methodology Credits: 3 *^DS
HDFS 380L - Research Methodology Lab Credits: 1
HDFS 492 - Internship Credits: 4 (180 Hours)
HDFS 495 - Capstone Portfolio Credits: 3

Credit Minimums

120 applicable

Note

This was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. See below for major requirements. Meet with the college/CTAHR at least once a semester.

Major Requirements for BS in Human Development and Family Science

Admission: Freshmen = Open; Transfer = min. entrance GPA of 2.0
Application: NA
Min. major credits: 32 (38 with related requirements)
Min. exit GPA: 2.0 in the major

Requirements

Human Development and Family Science Related Requirements (6 credits)

FSHN 185 - The Science of Human Nutrition Credits: 3 *^DB
ECON 120 - Introduction to Economics Credits: 3
OR
ECON 130 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
OR
ECON 131 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
OR
NREM 220 - Agricultural and Resource Economics Credits: 3 *^DS

Human Development and Family Science Core Courses (20 credits)

**Students must earn a grade of C or better (C- is not acceptable) in HDFS 230 , HDFS 340 , HDFS 360 , and HDFS 380 /HDFS 380L in order to take HDFS 492 and HDFS 495 .

HDFS 230 - Human Development Credits: 3 *^DS
HDFS 340 - Intimacy, Marriages and Families Credits: 3
HDFS 360 - Family Resource Management Credits: 3
HDFS 380 - Research Methodology Credits: 3
HDFS 380L - Research Methodology Lab Credits: 1
HDFS 492 - Internship Credits: 4 (Internship; 4 credits, 180 hours)
HDFS 495 - Capstone Portfolio Credits: 3 **

Human Development and Family Science Support Courses (12 credits)

Family Development

One of the following:

HDFS 341 - Parenting Credits: 3
HDFS 425 - Partnerships with Families and Professionals Credits: 4
HDFS 444 - Contemporary Family Issues Credits: 3
HDFS 445 - Family Life Education Methodology Credits: 4

Family Resource Management

One of the following:

HDFS 361 - Family Financial Planning Credits: 3
HDFS 363 - Consumer Economics Credits: 3
HDFS 454 - Family Public Policy Credits: 3
HDFS 455 - Consumer Communications Credits: 3
HDFS 468 - Family Economics Credits: 3

Human Development

One of the following:

HDFS 331 - Infancy and Early Childhood Credits: 3
HDFS 332 - Childhood Credits: 3
HDFS 333 - Adolescence and Early Adulthood Credits: 3
HDFS 334 - Middle Age and Aging Credits: 3

Additional Support Course

One additional course from above or

HDFS 350 - Leadership and Group Process Credits: 3
HDFS 352 - Community Needs and Resources Credits: 3
HDFS 365 - Soft Skills for Success in the Workplace Credits: 3
HDFS 435 - Mindfulness and Skillful Living Credits: 3

Notes

CTAHR Academic Advising Office:
Gilmore Hall 1st floor; Email: ctahradv@hawaii.edu
Advising Appointments: please visit cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ugstudies to schedule an appointment.

CTAHR Office of Academic and Student Affairs:
Gilmore Hall 119; asao1@hawaii.edu; (808) 956-8183/(808) 956-6733; cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/academics/asao

4-Year Plan

This is a sample academic plan. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan.

Year 1

Fall

HDFS 230 - Human Development Credits: 3 (DS)
FW (or FQ) Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
DA/DH/DL Credits: 3
H/SL Credits: 3

Credits 15

Spring

FQ (or FW) Credits: 3
FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
DA/DH/DL Credits: 3
H/SL Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 30

Year 2

Fall

HDFS 340 - Intimacy, Marriages and Families Credits: 3
NREM 220 - Agricultural and Resource Economics Credits: 3 (DS)
OR
ECON 120 - Introduction to Economics Credits: 3 (DS)
OR
ECON 130 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3 (DS)
OR
ECON 131 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 (DS)
DP Credits: 3
DY Credits: 1
H/SL or Culture Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 16

Spring

HDFS 360 - Family Resource Management Credits: 3
FSHN 185 - The Science of Human Nutrition Credits: 3 (DB)
H/SL or Culture Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 61

Year 3

Fall

HDFS 380 - Research Methodology Credits: 3
HDFS 380L - Research Methodology Lab Credits: 1
HDFS Support Course Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 16

Spring

*Students must attend the internship preparation meeting and apply for internship one semester before registering for the internship course, HDFS 492 .

HDFS Support Course Credits: 3
HDFS Support Course Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Credits 15

Total Credits 92

Year 4

Fall

HDFS Support Course Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 1
Elective Credits: 2

Credits 15

Spring

HDFS 492 - Internship Credits: 4
HDFS 495 - Capstone Portfolio Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3
Elective 300+ Credits: 3

Credits 13

Total Credits 120

Notes:

Students must earn a C or better in HDFS 230 , HDFS 340 , HDFS 360 , and HDFS 380 /HDFS 380L . Minimum 45 upper division (300+ course) credits are required.
Students must incorporate all focus requirements into this plan. Focus designations (i.e., W, E, O, H) are CRN specific & semester specific.

Human Development Support courses

Students must take one of the Human Development Support courses:

HDFS 331 - Infancy and Early Childhood Credits: 3
HDFS 332 - Childhood Credits: 3
HDFS 333 - Adolescence and Early Adulthood Credits: 3
HDFS 334 - Middle Age and Aging Credits: 3

Family Development Support courses

Students must take one of the following Family Development Support courses:

HDFS 341 - Parenting Credits: 3
HDFS 425 - Partnerships with Families and Professionals Credits: 4
HDFS 444 - Contemporary Family Issues Credits: 3
HDFS 445 - Family Life Education Methodology Credits: 4

Family Resource Management Support courses

Students must take one of the following Family Resource Management Support courses:

HDFS 361 - Family Financial Planning Credits: 3
HDFS 363 - Consumer Economics Credits: 3
HDFS 454 - Family Public Policy Credits: 3
HDFS 455 - Consumer Communications Credits: 3
HDFS 468 - Family Economics Credits: 3

Additional Support course

Students must also take one additional course (3 credits) from one of the groups above or one of the following:

HDFS 350 - Leadership and Group Process Credits: 3
HDFS 352 - Community Needs and Resources Credits: 3
HDFS 365 - Soft Skills for Success in the Workplace Credits: 3
HDFS 435 - Mindfulness and Skillful Living Credits: 3