The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is committed to improving the lives of individuals and families through the dissemination of knowledge and sharing of expertise.

HDFS offers two majors: Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) and Early Childhood Education (ECE). In addition, students pursuing a degree in a different major at UNR can earn a minor in HDFS. Within HDFS, students choose and focus course work in one of three areas of concentration: Child and Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Aging, or Family Studies. Early Childhood Education (ECE) includes two optional specializations: Early Childhood Special Education and Family Support and Education. Visit the department web pages for further information on Degrees and Programs.

The Child and Family Research Center (CFRC) is part of HDFS, serving children from birth to age 6. The CFRC allows opportunities for students to observe and work with young children and families, provides subjects for a range of research studies, and offers a high quality early care and education program for children of campus families. The CFRC also includes an Early Head Start program. Visit the CFRC’s web page for further information.

This major prepares students to work with individuals of all ages and their families. The study of theory and research findings is coordinated with a variety of supervised field experiences. Students investigate the ways individuals interact within the family system and the larger social and economic environments. Students select an area of concentration in adult development and aging, child and adolescent development, or family studies.

Career Potential
The program prepares students for careers as administrators of child development or family services programs, child development specialists, school age program coordinators, youth program specialists, community education instructors, parent educators, senior center coordinators, family financial planners, consumer advocates, and family public policy advocates. Students are required to complete a 128-credit, integrated course of study that culminates in an internship experience during the senior year.

The program in Early Childhood Education is an interdisciplinary program offered jointly by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, in the College of Health and Human Sciences, and the Department of Educational Specialties, in the College of Education. The program is designed to provide specific training to students interested in working with young children from birth through grade 2. Students must formally apply for admission to the program.

Career Potential
The early childhood education program prepares students to work in a variety of settings with young children and their families. Graduates may work in programs within public schools, Head Start, and child care as teachers, master teachers, curriculum specialists, parent education specialists, parent program coordinators and administrators. They may also work in a variety of public and private agencies that provide services for young children and their families. Graduates of the program can apply for a Nevada teaching license to teach in public school settings with children from birth through second grade.

Admission to the Program
Students enter the program as pre-majors, and must apply for admission to the Early Childhood Education major. Specified courses are open only to students who have been admitted to the program. Applications are due to the College of Education on October 1 for spring admission and March 1 for summer and fall admission. To be admitted to the program, prospective students must meet the following requirements:

• Completed 30 credits of college course work
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all college course work
• Successfully pass the reading, writing, and mathematics sections of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) or the California Test of Basic Skills (CBST)
• Complete an application form for Admission to Teacher Education
• Submit 2 confidential letters of recommendation
• Submit a typed two to three page essay entitled, “Qualities I Bring to the Early Childhood Teaching Profession”

Students who seek the Master of Science degree with a major in HDFS must meet the following requirements before they begin graduate-level study:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution with course credit and/or work experience in human development, interpersonal relationships, families, or family economics
• Maintain an overall undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0
• Earn acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

In the graduate program, students may specialize in an area of academic interest through the selection of electives and a thesis topic or professional paper. Twelve hours of credit in courses numbered 700 or above are required. At least 6 credits are required HDFS 796 (thesis) or 3 credits in HDFS 796 (professional paper). At least 24 of the total credits taken for the degree must be in human development and family studies, as stipulated by the department.

For more information, contact Dr. Karen Kopera-Frye, HDFS Director of Graduate Studies, at (775) 784-7010 or kfrye@unr.edu.