BS Human Development and Family Science at University of Missouri-Columbia

Programme overview

The Human Development and Family Science program is developed from a foundation of human development and family science courses. It is essential for the student working with children, adolescents or adults to understand and to be able to maximize the resources offered by the family. It is equally important for the student concerned with the quality of family life to recognize the intricate spiral of changing needs in the growing individual.

Faculty: College of Education and Human Development | Department: Human Development and Family Science | Duration: 120 credit hours | Location: Columbia, MO, United States

What you will study

A students must choose an emphasis area and complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to receive the degree. Majors in all of the emphasis areas in HDFS must complete the core courses and additional course requirements (including General Education courses and Requirements in Related Areas) specific to each emphasis area.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is through University of Missouri undergraduate admissions (university-level; no major-specific admission requirement in the catalogue entry).

Domestic applicants: USD 14,906 a year (2026-27). Missouri resident tuition for the 2026-27 academic year (fall and spring, 12-18 credit hours per term flat rate), Tuition Tier 1; the tier is assigned by major in the Cashiers Office tuition calculator (cashiers.missouri.edu/tuition-and-fees/undergraduate Source

International applicants: USD 38,068 a year (2026-27). Non-Missouri resident tuition for the 2026-27 academic year (fall and spring, 12-18 credit hours per term flat rate), Tuition Tier 1; the tier is assigned by major in the Cashiers Office tuition calculator. Excludes the $1,256 mandatory fees, housing and Source

Freshman applicants can apply for the Fall term; the Mizzou application and Common Application open on Aug. 1 for the following academic year. Transfer students can begin in the Fall, Spring or Summer term.

Transfer applications are listed for Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 entry.

Freshman applications open Aug. 1; the priority deadline for admission and scholarship consideration is Dec. 1 and the application deadline is July 1. Admission decisions are released from Oct. 1 on a rolling basis. Honors College applications open Sept. 15 and close Feb. 1.

Transfer applications for Spring 2027 opened May 1, 2026 and for Fall 2027 open Aug. 1, 2026; the FAFSA deadline is Feb. 1, 2027 and the deadline for general, competitive and departmental scholarships for Fall 2027 transfers is Feb. 1, 2027.

Freshman applicants apply through the Mizzou Application or the Common Application, pay a $55 application fee, and may apply with ACT or SAT scores or through the test-optional review (homeschooled students and students from non-accredited schools must submit a test score).

International undergraduate applicants have no application deadline (applying 6-12 months before the start term is recommended), pay a $65 application fee, and are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores; an English proficiency exam score is required.

Graduate programmes apply through the Graduate School online application for admission, which requires a qualifying bachelor degree and at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of baccalaureate coursework; School of Law, School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Occupational Therapy Doctorate have their own application processes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.missouri.edu/apply/

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