Human Development (BS) at Cornell University

Programme overview

Our interdisciplinary unit studies human development across the lifespan and integrates lab-based and real-world research to enhance development and well-being in diverse environments and populations. Human development majors explore the psychological, social, cultural, and biological development of people from conception to old age, focusing on the processes and mechanisms of growth and change over the life course.

Faculty: College of Human Ecology | Duration: 120 credits minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ithaca, NY, United States

What you will study

In addition to college distribution requirements, students in the Human Development Major must complete a minimum of 40 credits as listed below. Students should have 40 credits upon fulfilling the following: Introductory Courses, Development Psychology, Depth Coursework, Breadth Requirement, Additional Coursework, Research Methods/Scientific Literacy, and Quantitative Analysis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university through the undergraduate college that offers the major (College of Human Ecology); no separate programme-specific admission requirement is listed in the catalogue entry. See Cornell undergraduate admissions.

Domestic applicants: USD 49,816 a year (2026-27). New York State contract-college undergraduate tuition, rate stated for New York State residents (Agriculture and Life Sciences; Human Ecology; Industrial and Labor Relations; Dyson; Brooks School Bachelor of Science); tuition only, excludes mandatory fees Source

International applicants: USD 73,946 a year (2026-27). New York State contract-college undergraduate tuition, rate stated for nonresidents of New York State (Contract Nonresident; the source does not give a separate international rate); tuition only, excludes mandatory fees, housing and meals. Source

First-year applicants: Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision for fall entry. Transfer applications are considered for the fall semester only.

First-year Early Decision: application and fee due November 1, other required materials November 13, decisions mid-December. Regular Decision: application and fee due January 2, other materials January 19, decisions late March. Applications are submitted through the Common Application; the application fee is $85 (fee waiver available). SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants.

Transfer applicants: application and fee due March 15, other required materials April 15, decisions late April through June, for fall entry only. Applications use the Transfer Common Application; the fee is $85. SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.cornell.edu/how-to-apply

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