Best Human Development and Family Studies Online Degree Programs
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
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In an online bachelor’s in human development and family studies program, you’ll learn about the differences between how humans function within their family systems and their wider social environments.
The program will teach you the fundamentals of social services, family dynamics, and child development.
Choosing an online program can help you complete your degree with flexibility while working or balancing other obligations. Check out our ranking of the best programs to help start your search.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Programs
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$4,422
$19,582
90%
69%
$5,219
$18,937
76%
17,743
Public
Yes
$4,422
$19,582
Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$4,422
$19,582
90%
69%
$5,219
$18,937
76%
17,743
Public
Yes
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,742
$17,622
96%
73%
$7,176
$16,680
75%
13,673
Public
Yes
$5,742
$17,622
Hayward, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,742
$17,622
96%
73%
$7,176
$16,680
75%
13,673
Public
Yes
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online
$10,425
$31,200
83%
56%
$13,446
$28,242
87%
34,292
Public
Yes
$10,425
$31,200
Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online
$10,425
$31,200
83%
56%
$13,446
$28,242
87%
34,292
Public
Yes
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI4 yearCampus + Online
$7,014
$15,281
86%
56%
$7,444
$16,090
72%
7,234
Public
Yes
$7,014
$15,281
Menomonie, WI4 yearCampus + Online
$7,014
$15,281
86%
56%
$7,444
$16,090
72%
7,234
Public
Yes
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online
$11,100
$32,400
76%
42%
$11,100
$31,460
86%
39,622
Public
Yes
$11,100
$32,400
Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online
$11,100
$32,400
76%
42%
$11,100
$31,460
86%
39,622
Public
Yes
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM4 yearCampus + Online
$6,728
$25,055
76%
70%
$5,184
$18,023
75%
14,779
Public
Yes
$6,728
$25,055
Las Cruces, NM4 yearCampus + Online
$6,728
$25,055
76%
70%
$5,184
$18,023
75%
14,779
Public
Yes
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,400
$25,084
92%
54%
$23,189
$39,248
87%
88,914
Public
Yes
$15,400
$25,084
University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$15,400
$25,084
92%
54%
$23,189
$39,248
87%
88,914
Public
Yes
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,180
$15,968
94%
89%
$5,738
$16,526
70%
8,847
Public
Yes
$5,180
$15,968
Natchitoches, LA4 yearCampus + Online
$5,180
$15,968
94%
89%
$5,738
$16,526
70%
8,847
Public
Yes
Utah State University
Logan, UT4 yearCampus + Online
$7,387
$23,305
94%
57%
$6,763
$23,176
74%
28,063
Public
Yes
$7,387
$23,305
Logan, UT4 yearCampus + Online
$7,387
$23,305
94%
57%
$6,763
$23,176
74%
28,063
Public
Yes
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Degree?
Graduates of human development and family studies degrees often work in mental health agencies and community service centers for youth and families.
Ultimately, the degree prepares you for careers in counseling, education, and social services, where you can help people and their families at every stage of life.
Job Title | Median Salary (2023) | Projected Job Growth 2023-2032 |
---|---|---|
Social Worker | $58,380 | 7% |
Family Counselor | $58,510 | 16% |
Early Childhood Educator | $37,130 | 4% |
Occupational Therapist | $96,370 | 11% |
Social and Community Service Manager | $77,030 | 8% |
Rehabilitation Counselor | $44,040 | 2% |
What to Expect in a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies Program
Before you apply for a human development and family studies program, it’s helpful to gain some insight into what these programs are like. Keep reading to learn about common courses, tuition costs, format, and the specializations you can choose from your program.
Common Courses
Popular coursework you may see in an online human development and family studies program includes:
- Human Development Across the Lifespan: You’ll learn how humans develop in a variety of cultures from birth to death. The course will also teach you how relationships and social environments influence cognitive development.
- Development of School-Age Children: This course focuses on how families, ethnicity, culture, and school environments influence the physical and cognitive development of children from ages 5 to 12.
- Family Diversity: You’ll study the variations within families by contrasting the differences and similarities regarding ethnicity, culture, class, family structure, gender, and sexual orientation.
- Current Family Theory and Research: This seminar explores current problems in family studies with an emphasis on theoretical concepts and research literature.
- Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood: You’ll analyze how policies influence early childhood programs, childhood professionals, and families with children.
Tuition Cost
The average cost of a college degree in the 2021-2022 academic year was $15,200 at public institutions and $29,700 at private institutions, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports.
Tuition costs differ between schools. For example, Penn State World Campus charges $632 to $678 per credit or $7,678 to $8,288 per semester for their online human development and family studies program.
In Colorada State University’s online human development and family studies bachelor’s degree program, tuition is $476 per credit.
Online Format
In an online program, you’ll tune into lectures, participate in discussions, and submit all your coursework online. Some programs allow you to choose an asynchronous format — allowing you to complete your work on your own schedule.
Online degree programs provide a unique level of flexibility. With an online human development program, many students can choose to work or tend to other obligations while studying.
Concentrations
Some concentrations you may find in your online human development and family studies bachelor’s degree program include early childhood professions, pre-health professions, prevention and intervention science, human development and family studies, and leadership and advocacy.
Pediatric healthcare community settings, aging and gerontology studies, family and community services, and child life specialist clinical are also popular options for a concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest paying jobs for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in human and family development studies includes occupational therapists, who earn $96,370 annually, and community service managers, who earn $77,030 each year.
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