BS Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University

Programme overview

Total credits required: 120. The human development and family studies curriculum prepare graduates to pursue careers in helping professions with employment opportunities in government, non-profit, and private agencies, as well as continue on to graduate studies programs. The following set of learning goals was established for the bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS). Upon completion of the undergraduate degree in HDFS, students will:

Faculty: College of Health and Human Sciences | Duration: 120 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ames, IA, United States

What you will study

Curriculum totals 120 credits. Required and core courses listed in the curriculum include HDFS 1020 Human Development; HDFS 1100 Freshman Learning Community Orientation; HDFS 2200 Introduction to Professional Practice; HDFS 2490 Family Studies; HDFS 3690 Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies; HDFS 3860 Human Services Management I.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Iowa State University and its college, not to the individual major (Iowa State does not make admission decisions by major). First-year applicants are admitted on the Regent Admission Index (RAI = ACT composite x 3 + cumulative GPA x 30 + years of high school core courses x 5); an RAI of at least 245 with the minimum high school course requirements (4 years English, 3 years mathematics including algebra, geometry and advanced algebra, 3 years science, 2 years social studies) receives automatic admission, and applicants below 245 may be considered through individual review. Iowa State is test-optional for first-year applicants.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for first-year applicants include Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027. International undergraduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and may be submitted up to one year before the intended start date; applying at least six to eight weeks in advance is strongly recommended.

International undergraduate applicants pay a nonrefundable application fee of $65 by credit card through the online application system; fee waivers are not offered. SAT/ACT are not required for applicants educated abroad or for transfer students. First-year applicants: Iowa State is test-optional for ACT, SAT or CLT scores; admission is based on the Regent Admission Index. Apply with the institutional application or the Common App.

Apply through the official page: https://apps.admissions.iastate.edu/apply/online/

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