Our transfer-friendly program lets you bring in up to 60 transfer credits from prior coursework or professional experience. This means you can graduate faster without sacrificing the quality of your education. Learn more about our transfer pathways.
Broadening Human Horizons
UW-Stout Polytechnic's 100% online, NCFR-accredited Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) is an interdisciplinary major focusing on the development of individuals across the lifespan, within the context of family and culture. If you're committed to living or working away from campus the program's multidisciplinary approach will provide you with both a broad perspective and specialized knowledge.
Career-Defining Human Development Curriculum
Designed to enhance the professional portfolio of a wide range of students, including individuals with an associate’s degree or equivalent, UW-Stout Polytechnic's Human Development & Family Studies has a strong, established reputation of preparing graduates for success in a variety of human service-related areas. Our experienced full-time faculty have created an enhanced, flexible online learning environment. Offering full-time and part-time options, the program prepares graduates to address familial needs through the lenses of age, culture, gender, life stage, relationships and more.
Program Overview
Earn a Professional Certificate While Fulfilling Your Degree Requirements
Transfer-Friendly Program
Take Your Career Further in Law
What Makes Human Development Unique at UW-Stout Polytechnic
- Established and highly reputable program
- Award-winning instructors
- Applied learning opportunities
- Professional networking opportunities
- Excellent employment in the field
- Proven preparation for graduate school
Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the B.S. Human Development & Family Studies.
Request Information
NCFR Accreditation
UW-Stout Polytechnic's B.S. Human Development & Family Studies has been reviewed by the National Council on Family Relations and is recognized as a NCFR CFLE-approved program offering coursework covering the content required for the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. Graduates of NCFR CFLE-approved programs qualify to apply for the CFLE designation via an abbreviated application process.
"I was undeclared my freshmen year and then stumbled upon Human Development and Family Studies. I couldn't believe I had the opportunity to study familial relations, child development, and policies regarding families. I met so many amazing people and learned information that directly relates to my personal life. And we applied theories to situations in the working world."
~ Cyan Bower
B.S. Human Development & Family Studies
Industry-Experienced Faculty Instruction
Forget TA-taught classes and 200-person lectures. Building close relationships with our industry-experienced and academically accomplished human development and family studies faculty will play a key role in your polytechnic education and your career. Learn more about your future instructors!
Professional Internships in Human Development & Family Studies
Take your education into the field and earn while you learn through UW-Stout Polytechnic’s award-winning Cooperative Education & Internship Program (CEIP) and other placements that offer paid and unpaid opportunities to impact your industry. Unlike traditional internships, our professional credit-earning experiences will connect you with leaders in your field, including leading healthcare providers, impactful non-profits, and government agencies. We’ll ensure you’re set up for success long before you graduate—more than a third of Stout students accept positions after graduation with their internship employer.
Select Recent Employers
- Aurora Community Services
- Bridge to Hope
- Dove Healthcare
- Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center
- Edges Wellness Center LLC
- Humana
- Koinonia Residential Treatment Facility
- Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI, Inc.
- Mayo Clinic Health System
- Positive Alternatives
- Randall Therapeutic Services
- Trinity Equestrian Center
- Workforce Connections
- Zumbrota Health Services
100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Education Within 6 Months
Graduate Ready to Solve Tomorrow’s Challenges
Each year, Stout human development and family studies graduates are among the versatile and most sought-after hires to enter the workforce, dedicating themselves to employers ranging from county agencies and school districts to social services to healthcare organizations. Why? Everything you learn at Stout enhances the skills you'll use on day one of your career. Where others list their education, you’ll be able to identify your experience.
Select Recent Employers
- Addiction Treatment Services
- Aurora Community Services
- Center for Independent Living of Western Wisconsin
- Delmar Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
- Dove Healthcare
- Humana
- Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI, Inc.
- Madison Metropolitan School District (WI)
- Mayo Clinic Health System
- Northwest Passage
- Positive Alternatives
- Taylor County
- Waukesha County
- Wisconsin Early Autism Project
Application
To apply to this degree program, you need to apply to UW-Stout Polytechnic.
Financial Aid
Students who are attending another institution, but are planning to receive their degree from UW-Stout Polytechnic, may be eligible to receive aid from UW‐Stout Polytechnic. In these cases, UW‐Stout Polytechnic is considered the Home Institution and the other campus is considered the Visiting Institution.
Transfer Students
Upon completing the B.S. HDFS program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional competence in educational, civic, and career settings.
- Integrate knowledge of family dynamics to enhance relational functioning.
- Demonstrate cultural competence, inclusive of multiple aspects and intersections of diversity within a historical and social context.
- Integrate understanding of the developmental processes in individuals across the lifespan, based on physical, social, emotional, cognitive, moral, and personality aspects within an ecological framework.
- Critique social scientific knowledge as applied to families and human development.
- Evaluate the impacts among and between societal institutions and families.
- Demonstrate personal and interpersonal growth.
- Demonstrate competent communication skills.
Our program is designed for students ranging from incoming freshmen who are beginning their professional journey to transfer students who are wishing to advance their professional opportunities. The excellent transferability of credits assists transfer students in completing their degree in a timely manner.
An academic study, service learning opportunities, and experiential learning with a senior internship prepare graduates for positions in a number of areas, such as:
- Human service agencies
- Residential treatment programs and group homes
- Afterschool/youth mentoring programs
- Probation and corrections facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Older adult activity and living centers
- Aging and disability services
- Human resources management
- Family resource centers
- Youth summer camps
- Child care facilities
- Public/family policy and advocacy
- Research
The program also serves as an excellent foundation for graduate school in disciplines including:
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Social Work
- Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
- Student Personnel
- Health and Wellness
- Family Science
Advisory Committee Members
| First Name | Last Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| James | Arenz | First-Year Advisor, Advisement Center | UW-Stout |
| Amanda | Behm | Stout Online | UW-Stout |
| Laura | Clark | Program Coordinator | Positive Alternatives |
| Kevin | Doll | Professor; Program Director, B.S. Human Development & Family Studies | UW-Stout |
| Kevin | Drzakowski | Associate Dean | UW-Stout |
| Karen | Duncansion | Alumna | UW-Stout |
| Andrew | Felton | Associate Professor, Chair, Counseling, Rehabilitation and Human Servies | UW-Stout |
| Lorraine | Garland | Professional in the Field | Arbor Place |
| Jeremy | Hernandez | Assistant Executive Director, Intervention Services Program Coordinator | Positive Alternatives |
| Tina | Lee | Professor | UW-Stout |
| Jason | Lynn | Social Worker | Dunn County Human Services |
| Rylee | Madey | Student | UW-Stout |
| Candice | Maier | Associate Professor | UW-Stout |
| Brittany | Olson | Service Coordinator | Bridge to Hope |
| Jason | Schmitt | Dean, CAHS | UW-Stout |
| Bethanne | Shriner | Professor; Program Director, B.S. Human Development & Family Studies Online | UW-Stout |
| Abby | Tengwall | Career Services Specialist | UW-Stout |
Enhanced Online Learning & Customized Instruction
Our flexible customized instruction is designed for adult learners who are beginning their professional journey and transfer students who are wishing to advance their professional opportunities. The excellent transferability of credits assists you in completing your degree in a timely manner.
- Courses delivered 100% online by award-winning faculty
- Consistent Fall, Spring, and Summer program course offerings
- Support from Adult Student Services Coordinators and Distance Librarians
- Efficient transferability of credits
Customized Tuition & Fees
UW-Stout Polytechnic degree programs using the all-inclusive customized instruction model are designed with the adult learner in mind. Other universities will present costs and value differently, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples. If you're comparing UW-Stout Polytechnic's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:
- Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
- There are no additional or hidden university-based semester or technology fees.
- Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless of where you live.
More Value for Your Money
Customized Instruction also provides:
- Program Director/Coordinator: Faculty with academic and industry expertise.
- Student Services Advisor: One point of contact, providing dedicated support throughout your degree program.
- Course Sequences & Matrices: Plan ahead with clear program outlines so you know what courses are offered when.
- Stackable Courses & Programs: Many of our courses and certificates can be applied to our degree programs.
- Flexibility: Courses are designed to offer the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to get ahead in their careers without sacrificing their current income and responsibilities.
