Discover Human Development & Family Studies in ACES

Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) prepares students to address real-world problems in communities across the globe. Through innovative research and outreach programs, students can improve the lives of children, adolescents, adults, and families. Our interdisciplinary major lets you choose between two concentrations. Learn more at hdfs.illinois.edu.
CONCENTRATIONS
Child and Adolescent Development
Explore the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development of children and adolescents. Through coursework and practical experiences, our students learn about the influence biology, society, caregivers, families, peers, and others can have on the health and well-being of children and youth.
Family Studies
Learn how families and romantic partnerships function, develop, and change in response to the challenges of modern life. Coursework covers the latest research and theories about dating, marriage, parenthood, divorce, life in single-parent and step-families, LGBTQ families, gender, and family resilience.