Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science

Human Development and Family Science graduate supports children in an early childhood education environment.
Next Application Deadline:
March 1, 2026
Credit hours: 120 for degree completion
Next Term Start Date:
May 11, 2026

Overview

The Ohio State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) offers a unique opportunity to explore how people grow, thrive, and navigate life’s challenges. Rooted in psychology, sociology, and human ecology, this flexible and transfer-friendly degree prepares you to make a meaningful impact in human services, education, health-related fields, and beyond.

Designed for students with previous college credit, this 100% online program empowers you to build a strong foundation for a career helping others or to continue your education in graduate or advanced study. With the support of dedicated faculty and staff, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to improve lives across the lifespan.

Please note: A minimum of 30 post-high-school semester hours (45 quarter hours) is required for admission into the online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science program.

Why choose Ohio State’s online Human Development and Family Science degree?

  • Customize your pathway – With a wide range of elective options, you can tailor your degree to fit your academic background, interests, and career goals, or prepare for graduate and advanced study.
  • A degree that fits your life – 100% online, mostly asynchronous courses let you balance your education with work, family, and other commitments.
  • Transfer-credit friendly – Build upon what you’ve already accomplished by transferring eligible credits from your associate degree or prior coursework, helping you save time and tuition as you complete your bachelor’s degree.
  • Support from start to finish – Receive personalized guidance from expert faculty, your enrollment advisor, and a student support specialist, ensuring you feel understood, challenged, and supported throughout your academic journey.
  • A proven program, now online – Backed by over 45 years of excellence, this established program has evolved to meet the needs of today’s learners. Now offered in a flexible online format, it continues its legacy of preparing students for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Academic Calendar

Ohio State’s online Human Development and Family Science bachelor’s program offers three start dates each year — in spring, summer, and autumn — so you can begin when the timing is right for you.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to the online Bachelor of Human Development and Family Science program, applicants must:

Ready to apply?

Follow the steps below, and contact an enrollment advisor with questions.

  1. Application
    Applicants for admission to the program must complete an Ohio State Undergraduate Admissions online application.
  2. Personal statement
    This is required for those who have not continuously been enrolled in any school. Include a short essay about why you wish to enroll in the program.
  3. Academic credentials and transcripts
    To complete your application, you should request that all colleges or universities you’ve attended send your official transcript to Ohio State. Include a transcript of any college courses taken in high school. Note: You do not need to provide a transcript for course work completed at Ohio State.
    • How to send your transcripts to Ohio State
      • If you attended a college or university in Ohio, request that your transcript be sent electronically.
      • For institutions outside of the state of Ohio, request electronic delivery, if available, to avoid processing delays.
        • If ordering a transcript online, select The Ohio State University as a recipient. In the absence of a list of universities to select from, have your school email your encrypted transcript directly to ugdocs@osu.edu.
      • If your school does not offer electronic delivery, please have your transcript(s) mailed to:
        • The Ohio State University
          Undergraduate Admissions
          PO Box 182646
          Columbus, OH 43218-2646
    • What is not accepted:
      • Advising reports
      • Unofficial transcripts or scans labeled “UNOFFICIAL”
      • Documents with a URL across the top
      • Transcripts missing the institution’s name, seal, stamp, or GPA
    • Transcripts should not be delivered by the student or sent to other addresses on campus. Doing so will prevent acceptance of the transcript as official.
  4. Non-refundable application processing fee
    A non-refundable $60 fee is required at the time of application.

Questions about the application process?

Your enrollment advisor is here to help each step of the way.

Contact an Enrollment Advisor
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The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.

California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.

The Application Process

Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.

Career Outlook

Ohio State’s online Human Development and Family Science program prepares you for meaningful careers supporting individuals, families, and communities. Whether you want to work with people, contribute to research, influence policy, or pursue graduate school, this flexible degree provides a strong foundation in human development, relationships, and systems, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to support others across a wide range of settings.

Top Occupations by Median Income

National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.

What can I do with a degree in Human Development and Family Science?

A Human Development and Family Science bachelor’s degree prepares you for jobs in a variety of fields, including:

  • Human services
  • Education and student affairs
  • Nonprofit and community outreach
  • Health and allied health professions
  • Public policy and advocacy

Explore the career paths our graduates have taken and learn more about career opportunities.

Curriculum

Through coursework in areas like lifespan development, family systems, child and adolescent development, sexuality, and professional development, Ohio State’s online Human Development and Family Science program provides you with a strong foundation in understanding human growth and relationships.

You’ll have the flexibility to shape your degree around your goals and interests. In addition to core coursework, you can focus your elective credits in areas such as:

  • Family development
  • Aging studies
  • Youth development
  • Intimacy and sexuality studies
  • Social policy and population studies

The program includes 72–88 credit hours of required coursework, plus 32–48 elective hours to meet the 120 total credits needed for graduation.

General Education Requirements (32-39 hours)

College (1 hour) & Supporting Course (9 hours) Requirements

Major Requirements (39 hours)

Natasha Slesnick

Professor, Associate Dean for Research
Headshot of Natasha Slesnick, HDFS associate dean for research

Anastasia Snyder

Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Associate Professor
Headshot of Anastasia Snyder, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, HDFS associate professor

Stephen Gavazzi

Director of CHRR
Headshot of Stephen Gavazzi, director of CHRR

Beverly Vandiver

Professor, Director of Quantitative Methodology Center
Headshot of Beverly Vandiver, HDFS professor, director of Quantitative Methodology Center

Suzanne Bartle-Haring

Professor
Headshot of Suzanne Bartle-Haring, HDFS professor

Xin Feng

Professor
Headshot of Xin Feng, HDFS professor

Keeley Pratt

Professor
Headshot of Keeley Pratt, HDFS professor

Arya Ansari

Associate Professor
Headshot of Arya Ansari, HDFS associate professor

Michael Betz

Associate Professor
Headshot of Michael Betz, HDFS associate professor

Ji-Young Choi

Associate Professor
Headshot of Ji-Young Choi, PhD, associate professor of Human Development and Family Science

Ashley Hicks

Associate Professor – Clinical
Headshot of Ashley Hicks, HDFS associate professor - clinical

Ashley Landers

Associate Professor

Sarah Lang

Associate Professor
Headshot of Sarah Lang, HDFS professor

Kelly Purtell

Associate Professor
Headshot of Kelly Purtell, HDFS associate professor

Deanna Wilkinson

Associate Professor
Headshot of Deanna Wilkinson, HDFS professor

Jen D. Wong

Associate Professor

Autumn Bermea

Assistant Professor
Headshot of Autumn Bermea, PhD, assistant professor in Human Development and Family Science

Allen Mallory

Assistant Professor
Headshot of Allen Mallory, HDFS assistant professor

Cynthia Buettner

Professor Emerita
Headshot of Keeley Pratt, HDFS professor emerita

Testimonials

Hear from students who found the flexibility and support they needed to succeed in Ohio State’s online Human Development and Family Science program.

Testimonials

Hear from students who found the flexibility and support they needed to succeed in Ohio State’s online Human Development and Family Science program.

Headshot of Tess, graduate of Ohio State's Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science program

“HDFS allowed me to broadly explore opportunities in the helping fields while building skills that can be applicable in nearly any setting…It gave me a deeper understanding of why people are the way they are, how their childhood and environment affect that, how they interact with people, and how they work through challenges.”

Tess T. Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science Graduate
Photo of Stephie, a graduate of Ohio State's Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science program

“I can’t rave enough about the HDFS program! The professors are amazing. They made class fun, but more importantly, they truly cared about student wellbeing. The classes are so interesting, and the material learned in class can be applied to everyday life.”

Stephie K. Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science Graduate
Headshot of Brian L., graduate of Ohio State's Bachelor of Human Development and Family Science program.

“The Human Development and Family Science program at Ohio State did a tremendous job of teaching me valuable skills that can benefit me in a variety of professions.”

Brian L. Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science Graduate

“The professors and faculty genuinely care about their students’ learning experiences instead of just trying to push them to get good grades. I really love the flexibility of the program, too.”

Yifan Z. Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science Graduate

“This program is a great choice for those who wish to pursue a career in the helping fields. It is a flexible major that I could simultaneously track with pre-med and enjoy the extra content I was learning.”

Tara M. Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science Graduate

Tuition Fee Overview

Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best steps you can take toward long-term success. At Ohio State, we understand that knowing your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process.

Below are the tuition fees you can expect with this program. The Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science requires 120 credits for degree completion. To be eligible for admission, students must have completed at least 30 post–high school semester credit hours, which apply toward the degree. Your total cost and time to completion will vary depending on the number of credits you transfer. Please note that summer semester instructional and general fees are 75% of the cost of autumn and spring fees, which reduces your overall program cost.

Tuition Fees Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) Part-Time – Total Cost Per Semester Full-Time – Total Cost Per Semester
Instructional Fee (Autumn and Spring) $522.71 $3,136.26 $6,272.52
Instructional Fee (Summer) $392.03 $2,352.20 $4,704.39
General Fee (Autumn and Spring) $22.83 $136.98 $273.96
General Fee (Summer) $17.12 $102.72 $205.44
Learning Technology Fee $7.50 $45.00 $90.00
Distance Learning Fee $100.00 (per semester) $100.00 $100.00
Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) $200.00 (per semester) $200.00 $200.00
International Surcharge (if applicable) $129.29 (per credit hour) $129.29 $129.29

Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester. 

Get Started

Connect with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 80 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State. They are here to help you on your education journey.

Contact an Enrollment Advisor
Lady smiling typing at a laptop on a desk.