Department of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling

Website: https://twu.edu/human-development-family-studies-counseling/

Department Chair: Dr. Brigitte Vittrup
Location: WH 115
Phone: 940-898-2685
E-mail: HDFSC@twu.edu

The Department of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling is committed to excellence in transformational learning, discovery, and service in a collaborative environment that embraces diversity and social justice. We prepare students for academic, clinical, and professional opportunities serving individuals, children, families, and communities. The department builds engaged leaders and global citizens honoring the interconnectedness and individuality of all people.

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Faculty

*ARMSTRONG, JOYCE, Professor of Family Studies, B.S., East Texas State University; M.Ed., East Texas State University; Ph.D., Texas Woman's University

*BROWN, MELISSA MCINNIS, Associate Professor of Child Development, B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.A., University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; PhD. University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

*BUCKLEY, RHONDA R., Associate Professor of Child Development, B.A., Auburn University; M.A., Auburn University; Ph.D., Auburn University

*CANTRELL, KATHRYN, Assistant Professor of Child Development/Child Life, B.A., Austin College; M.A. Tufts University; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts-Boston

*DUTTON, CATHERINE L., Associate Professor of Family Studies, B.A., Utah State University; M.A.T., Texas Woman's University; Ph.D., Texas Woman's University

*GILLUM, NERISSA LEBLANC, Professor of Family Studies, B.S., Ambassador University; M.S., University of North Texas; Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Greensboro

*GRUBBS, LISA G., Associate Professor of Counseling & Development, B.S., University of North Texas; M.S., Texas Woman's University; Ph.D., Sam Houston State University

*HUELETT-LYONS, BRITTANY, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Loma Linda University; M.S., Loma Linda University

*HUFFMAN, LISA, Professor of Human Development, Family Studies, & Counseling; Dean of the College of Professional Education, B.A., Purdue University; M.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham; Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham

*HWANG, SHANN HWA, Professor of Family Studies, B.A., Malone College; M.A., Ashland University; Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville

*JONES, ADAM, Assistant Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy, B.S., Weber State University; M.S., Utah State University; Ph.D., Texas Tech University

*KING, BONNIE, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Development, B.A., St. Edwards University; M.A., Texas State University; Ph.D.,University of New Orleans

*LUCERO JONES, REBECCA, Assistant Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy, B.S., Brigham Young University; M.S., Texas Tech University; Ph.D., Texas Tech University

*McCARROLL, ELIZABETH M., Professor of Child Development/Child Life, B.S., University of Texas at Austin; M.S., Texas Tech University; Ph.D., Texas Tech University

*MURO, JOEL, Professor of Counseling & Development, B.A., Austin College; M.J., University of North Texas; Ph.D., University of North Texas

*MURO, LILIA LAMAR, Associate Professor of Counseling & Development, B.A., University of Texas at San Antonio; M.A., Southwest Texas State University; Ph.D., University of North Texas

*NORTON, AARON, Associate Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy, B.S., University of Utah; M.S., Kansas State University; Ph.D., Kansas State University

*ROSE, KATHERINE K., Professor of Child Development/Child Life, B.S., Baylor University; M.S., Purdue University; M.S., University of North Texas; Ph.D., Purdue University

*VADGAMA, DIMPLE, Assistant Clinical Professor, Ph.D., Syracuse University; M.S., University of Mumbai

*VERDIN, AZUCENA, Assistant Professor of Child Development, B.A., Harvard University; M.Ed., Harvard University; Ph.D., University of North Texas

*VITTRUP, BIRGITTE M., Professor of Child Development; Chair of the Department of Human Development, Family Studies, & Counseling, B.A., Texas State University; B.S., University of Texas at Austin; M.A., University of Texas at Austin; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Asterisk (*) denotes Graduate Faculty status.

Courses

HDFS 1001. Seminar in Family Sciences. Qualities which identify family sciences as a profession, historical aspects, mission, interrelationship of specialization, career options. One lecture hour a week. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 1513. Human Development. Development from infancy through old age; familial and societal influences; varied theoretical perspectives. Includes 15-hour observation experience. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 1603. Child in the Family and Community. (TCCN TECA 1303) Effective ways for home, school, and community to contribute to the optimal development of a child. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 2003. Diversity in Contemporary Families: A Global Perspective. Examination of diverse family systems and structures focusing on cultural, demographic, and historical influences. Analysis of differences and similarities with respect to family form and ethnicity. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 2403. Concept Development in Early Childhood. Exploration of principles, methods, and materials for teaching children math and science concepts through discovery and play. Incorporation of developmentally appropriate practices and anti-bias strategies. Includes 15 hours of field observations. Prerequisite: HDFS 2513. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 2503. Development of Infants and Toddlers. Prenatal development; the physical, mental, emotional, and social development of infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months of age; the care and guidance of infants and toddlers. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 2513. Early Childhood Development. (TCCN TECA 1354) Physical, mental, emotional, and social growth of the child from three through eight years. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 2523. Wellness of the Young Child. (TCCN TECA 1318) Introduction to factors that impact the well-being of the young child including safety, healthy behavior, fitness, nutrition, and food. Focus on local and national standards and legal implications of relevant policies and regulation for young children birth through eight. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 2563. Childhood Guidance. Patterns and theory of behavior and guidance in relation to developmental stages of childhood; includes 15 hours of observation in an early childhood program. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 2573. Creative Arts and Literature for Young Children. Exploration of theory, practice, and materials for teaching young children music, movement, visual arts, and literature through process-oriented experiences to support divergent thinking. Includes 15 hours of field observation. Prerequisite: HDFS 2513. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3323. Separation and Loss. Systemic interactions in families dealing with loss and separation from a developmental perspective. Special focus on different types of loss (e.g., death, injury, divorce, deployment, incarceration, and sudden loss vs. anticipated loss) and the impact on the individual and the family. Interventions and strategies used by child development professionals to assist children, adolescents, and family members in dealing with loss and separation, ethical issues, self-care, and professional boundaries related to working with children and families throughout a loss. Three lecture hours a week. Three credit hours.

HDFS 3423. Play and Development in Early Childhood. Theoretical and empirical bases for understanding the play of young children. Examination of the role of play in human development through multiple theoretical lenses and across multiple developmental domains (cognitive, social, emotional, and physical). Three hours of direct observations of young children's free play experiences. Prerequisite: HDFS 1513 or HDFS 2513. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3513. Childhood and Adolescence. Physical, mental, emotional, and social growth of the individual from six through adolescence: guidance techniques. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3523. The Care and Education of Children: A Global Perspective. How social or political systems, geographic locale and cultural values shape views of children and influence their care and education. Emphasis on differences in attitudes and values when comparing western and non-western perspectives. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3533. Research Methods in Family Sciences. Development of foundational knowledge of research methodology typically used in the study of children and families; emphasis on both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3613. Crisis in the American Family. Special situations affecting the family system: alcoholism, chronic illness, death, delinquency, divorce, drug dependence, mental retardation, mental illness, and mobility. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3633. Older Persons and the Family. Psychological characteristics of aging persons; family implications; developmental needs; interactions with children and extended family; attitudes toward sex, death, independence/dependence; legal and ethical concerns. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3713. Family Housing. Housing requirements for today's families; principles of house planning; understanding of basic construction and services; procedures of home financing; consideration of community planning, zoning, and orientation in choosing location. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 3733. Family Life and Consumer Education. Organization, planning, and implementation of family life and consumer education programs. Emphasis placed on curriculum, methods of delivery, resources, evaluation, and professional ethics. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4103. Issues and Trends in Family Sciences. In-depth study of issues and trends in Family Sciences. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4233. Applied Design for Home and Family. Use of design principles and available interior materials to achieve physically, psychologically, and aesthetically healthy home interiors for families across the lifespan. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4403. Child Life: Working With Hospitalized Children and Families. Research in Child Life and related areas; application of developmentally appropriate practice in a health care setting; mission, goals, and values of the Child Life profession. Prerequisite: Senior status. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4523. Family Development. Development and relationships of individual family members through the stages of the family life cycle and family crises. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4533. Communication and the Family. Recognition, development, and utilization of effective communication in a family milieu. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4543. Developmental Sexuality. Sexuality across the lifespan with emphasis on sex education within the family. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4583. Parenting Issues and Education. Contemporary issues in parenting, including effective resource materials for parent education. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4603. Occupational Issues in Family Sciences. Investigation of current trends, options, and opportunities in labor force for Family Sciences majors. Analysis of career development techniques and ethical issues. Emphasis on interaction of work and family. Development of professional portfolio. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4703. Methods of Teaching in Family And Consumer Sciences. In-depth study of teaching methods utilized in family and consumer science education for teacher certification. Consideration is given to learning styles, daily planning, delivery and management techniques, career and technology, and professional ethics. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4713. Family Economics. The family as a consuming unit. Development of consumer skills in the market place. Federal protection laws and agencies. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4733. Family Financial Planning. Personal finances for the family, including spending plans, credit, savings, insurance, taxes, and investments. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4773. Family Resource Management. Principles of organization and management; use of resources; decision-making; work simplification; time management; application of management principles to family problems; conflict management. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4803. Public Policy: Family Sciences Perspectives. Process of policy formation, implementation, and evaluation. Reciprocal relationship between family functioning and public policy. Analysis of impact and effectiveness of public policy for families and consumers. Roles of family sciences professionals in influencing policy. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4903. Special Topics. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4911. Independent Study. Intensive study of a topic of individual or professional interest in Family Sciences. Credit: One hour.

HDFS 4913. Independent Study. Intensive study of a topic of individual or professional interest in Family Sciences. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4923. Professional Development in Family Sciences. Professional development issues in family sciences. Ethics and professional standards. Preparation for practicum. Prerequisites: HDFS 1001 and permission of department. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

HDFS 4943. Practicum in Family Sciences. Supervised field experience in family sciences. Clinical and educational experiences working with children, families, and communities. Prerequisite: HDFS 4923 and permission of department advisor. 120 practicum hours. One lecture hour a week. Credit: Three hours.