Minor in Human Development and Family Science (CHSS)
Enhance your college experience with this 15-credit minor! Undergraduates at George Mason University have the option to declare a minor in Human Development & Family Science (HDFS)
Catalog Year: 2026-2027
Banner Code: LA-MINOR-LA-HDFS
This highly relevant and contemporary minor is a 15-credit interdisciplinary program designed especially for students who are interested in how individuals develop and how to improve the quality of life for families and communities. You’ll explore the psychological, social, cultural, and biological development of individuals from conception through adulthood and aging, within the contexts of their families, communities, and the broader society.
The minor is an excellent complement to many majors at Mason. You will have the opportunity to learn from outstanding faculty who are dedicated to teaching and involved in cutting-edge research.
This minor has been designated as a "Workforce-Ready Minor," meaning it is aligned with at least one of Virginia's high-demand career fields and includes career-relevant assignments as well as the opportunity to earn academic credit through an internship.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: minimum of 15
Core Course
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HDFS 200 | Individual and Family Development (Mason Core) | 3 |
| HDFS 300 | Individual and Family Services Delivery | 3 |
| Choose one course from the following internships and HDFS focused courses: | 3-4 | |
| Internship and Analysis in Human Development and Family Science | ||
| International Internship (Mason Core) | ||
| Internship | ||
| Family Financial Literacy and Resource Management | ||
| The Hospitalized Child and Family | ||
| Therapeutic Benefits of Play | ||
| Advanced Family Processes (Mason Core) | ||
| Family Law and Public Policy | ||
| Special Topics in Human Development and Family Science | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Parent-Child Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Research for Social Change (Mason Core) | ||
| Lifespan Development (Mason Core) | ||
| Research Methods in Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Psychology in the Community | ||
| Community Engagement for Social Change (Mason Core) | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Methods and Logic of Inquiry (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Total Credits | 9-10 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective choices follow career and professional interests. Elective courses are suggested by advisors and mentors and approved by the Academic Program Coordinator. See below for areas of focus. | 6 | |
| Families and Individuals Across the Life Span | ||
BIOL 124 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I | |
| Family and Health Communication | ||
| Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice System | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
ECED 402 |
Foundations of Language and Literacy for Diverse Young Learners, Birth-Age 5 | |
ECED 403 |
Inclusive Curriculum for Young Learners: Planning Instruction and Guidance | |
ECED 405 |
Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education | |
ECED 406 |
Medical and Developmental Aspects of Disabilities of Diverse Young Learners | |
ECED 422 |
Developing Language, Literacy, and Communication of Diverse Infants and Toddlers | |
ECED 423 |
Early Intervention for Infants Toddlers with Disabilities: Collaborative Consultative Approaches | |
EDSE 203 |
Disability in American Culture (Mason Core) | |
ELED 258 |
Children's Literature: Exploring Stories, Art, and Power of Picturebooks (Mason Core) | |
| Health Care Delivery in the United States | ||
| Assisted Living/Senior Housing Management and Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Health Services Research | ||
| The Hospitalized Child and Family | ||
HEAL 220 |
Dimensions of Mental Health | |
HEAL 310 |
Drugs and Health | |
HEAL 327 |
Women's Health | |
HEAL 331 |
Men's Health | |
HEAL 351 |
Relationship Health | |
HEAL 372 |
Health Communication | |
| Violence, Gender, and Sexuality (Mason Core) | ||
| Images and Experiences of Childhood: Social Construct, Literature, and Film | ||
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Introduction to Childhood Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Youth Studies (Mason Core) | ||
| Women and Leadership | ||
| Contemporary Health: Intersections in Science and Society (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Justice Education (Mason Core) | ||
NUTR 295 |
Introduction to Nutrition (Mason Core) | |
| Social Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Principles of Learning (Mason Core) | ||
| Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Gender | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Behavior Disorders of Childhood | ||
| Psychological Factors in Aging | ||
| Death, Dying, and Grieving | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Sociology of Delinquency | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Sociology of Deviance | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Youth Culture and Society (Mason Core) | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness, and Disability | ||
| Child and Family Welfare | ||
| Introduction to Gerontology | ||
| Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Women and Work | ||
| Family Advocacy | ||
| Family and Health Communication | ||
EDSE 203 |
Disability in American Culture (Mason Core) | |
| Introduction to Public Health | ||
| Health Behavior Theories | ||
| Health and Disease | ||
| Health Promotion and Education | ||
| Social Determinants of Health | ||
| Health Care Delivery in the United States | ||
| Introduction to Health Services Research | ||
HEAL 110 |
Personal Health | |
HEAL 220 |
Dimensions of Mental Health | |
HEAL 230 |
Introduction to Health Behavior (Mason Core) | |
HEAL 310 |
Drugs and Health | |
HEAL 325 |
Human Sexuality | |
HEAL 327 |
Women's Health | |
HEAL 331 |
Men's Health | |
HEAL 351 |
Relationship Health | |
HEAL 372 |
Health Communication | |
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Health: Intersections in Science and Society (Mason Core) | ||
NUTR 422 |
Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle | |
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Death, Dying, and Grieving | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Social Inequality (Mason Core) | ||
| Sociology of Health, Illness, and Disability | ||
| Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies | ||
| Research and Policy | ||
| Introduction to Law and Society | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Health Ethics, Leadership, and Advocacy | ||
| Public Law and the Judicial Process | ||
| Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process | ||
| Public Policy Making | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Politics of Race and Gender | ||
| Feminist Political Thought | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| Health Care Delivery in the United States | ||
| Healthcare Law | ||
| Introduction to Health Care Politics and Policy | ||
| Introduction to Health Services Research | ||
| Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Justice Consciousness and Action | ||
| Social Justice and Human Rights (Mason Core) | ||
| Women and Leadership | ||
| Psychology of Gender | ||
| Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) | ||
| Psychology of Intimate Relationships | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) | ||
| Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Inequality (Mason Core) | ||
| Changing Social Policies and Systems | ||
| Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Services | ||
| Introductory Statistics I (Mason Core) | ||
| Introductory Statistics II | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |