Human Development and Family Science, BA
This degree prepares its graduates to use family-centered and strengths-based approaches to support the health and well-being of individuals and families in diverse communities. Graduates will have a strong interdisciplinary foundation in the HDFS field and competencies in 10 areas as established by the National Council on Family Relations, including:
internal dynamics of relationships and families
human growth and development
family-and community-based program planning, implementation, and evaluation
social policies and laws affecting families
family diversity
research methodology
professional ethics as related to the HDFS field
The HDFS curriculum prepares students to effectively engage with families across the lifespan and in a variety of service settings and professions, from early childhood education and care to family law and policy advocacy.
Our program prepares students to critically analyze complex family issues, advocate for families in schools, communities, and in the policy arena, and address social-structural factors contributing to and influencing family functioning, health, and well-being (e.g., poverty and wealth inequality, immigration and illegalization, family homelessness, incarceration, family violence, and discrimination and structural violence such as racism, nationalism, or heterosexism). Students are required to complete an internship and integrate research training with service fieldwork. Such an experience is a critical component of HDFS student development and will further prepare our students for graduate education and diverse careers in the human development and family science field.
Intakes
- Jan
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
George Mason University (GMU) offers strong potential for job opportunities for its graduates, evidenced by its career services that provide guidance on resume refinement, interview preparation, and employer connections. The university also boasts a high average employee salary compared to national averages for government and other university employees, suggesting potential for well-compensated careers upon graduation.
Career Services and Resources
Professional Guidance:
GMU's career advisors offer support to students and graduates, helping them to refine resumes, prepare for interviews, and connect with potential employers.
Employer Connections:
The university actively helps its students and graduates build networks with potential employers, enhancing their job prospects.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
International students have the option to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application or apply Score Optional. Score Optional consideration allows for highly qualified students to be evaluated without standardized test scores.
Applicants to Computer Science or Engineering majors may be considered without SAT or ACT scores if they have completed four years of high school mathematics course. One course designated as a higher level than Algebra II must be completed by the senior year. All math courses must be completed with equivalent grades of a B or higher.
ACT = 20 English and Reading
Duolingo English Test = 110
IELTS = 6.5 and 6.0 each subsection* All CEC applicants 6.5 and no minimum subsection score required
Pearson Test of Academic English = 59
TOEFL = 80 and 18 each subsection* All CEC applicants 80 and no minimum subsection score
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 04 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
157248 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 80 USD
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