Program Description

Human Development Major Requirements and Degree Roadmap

Programs in Human Development, Early Childhood Development, and Women's Studies

Human Development majors use an interdisciplinary perspective to learn about developmental processes across the lifespan; faculty incorporate biological, sociological, anthropological, and psychological findings throughout coursework. In addition to core classes that all majors take, students also choose from one of the following concentrations:

Early Childhood Development
Childhood Development
Adolescent Development
Adult Development & Gerontology
Women's Development

The Department of Human Development and Women's Studies offers online instruction to meet the needs of our student body. In the 2025-26 AY, the Department is offering the following class formats:

  • Online asynchronous classes
  • Hybrid classes which combine an online component with zoom-based class meetings

The Department of Human Development and Women's Studies offers the following BA degrees:

Bachelor of Arts

Students working towards a BA in Human Development can complete their coursework online or through a combination of online and in-person offerings.

Fully Online and Online Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs

The Fully Online Program is intended for students who prefer to take all of their classes online. The Degree Completion Program is for anyone who has already completed their lower-division general education breadth requirements. Both groups of students can take their major requirements, GE requirements, and other university requirements completely online.

We also offer three minors for students in other majors:

Human Development 

Human Development is an interdisciplinary program that integrates theory and methodology from disciplines such as anthropology, biology, linguistics, psychology, and sociology. Students majoring in Human Development explore the processes and mechanisms underlying developmental change and stability across the lifespan, and the sociocultural and historical contexts in which development takes place. The program's curriculum equips students with an understanding of major research findings and core concepts in human development, the ability to critically analyze and evaluate theoretical and practical issues in the field, and the skills to apply their learning to diverse communities outside the university. The program strives to create an optimal learning community which values and fosters mutual learning and dialogue between and among students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.

During the senior year, Human Development majors focus their studies in a specific area. Students may choose one of the Department's five concentrations: Early Childhood Development, Childhood Development, Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Gerontology, or Women's Development. In addition to taking 10-12 units related to their chosen concentration, all seniors complete the Department's the capstone course: Senior Research Seminar (HDEV 499W). In HDEV 499W students propose a research project based on a literature review, and then carry out their independent research project. This advanced course enables students to pursue a specialized research topic in depth.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Human Development from California State University, East Bay will be able to:

1. Demonstrate core knowledge in diverse* biological, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects of human development across the lifespan. (ILO6)
2. Model critical thinking by summarizing, comparing, synthesizing, and evaluating human development perspectives using an interdisciplinary approach. (ILO1)
3. Assess information and ethical implications; responsibly design and conduct individual and/or group research projects, and present them clearly, logically, and persuasively. (ILO2)
4. Identify and evaluate individual/population needs, and promote social justice, by applying human development knowledge in community contexts. (ILO3)
5. Critically evaluate one’s own lifespan development and biases as a means to understand people empathetically, including historically marginalized people. (ILO3)

*HDEV/WOST defines diversity in terms of intersecting identities including: race/ethnicity/culture, class, caste, gender, sexuality, age, religion/spirituality, immigration status, disability status, and neuro-diversity, with attention paid to local/national/international contexts, access to institutional resources, distribution (contexts) of power, historical implications, and other forms of diversity and/or social injustice.

Requirements for Human Development BA Degree

Requirements for the Human Development BA Degree include (I) Lower Division Core, (II) Upper Division Core, (III) Concentration Requirements, and (IV) the Senior Capstone Requirement.You can also find this information on the Degree Roadmap. Go to Catalog for this department.

I. Lower Division Core

Select three (3) courses for 9 units from the following categories, with no more than one course from each category (each course must be a minimum of 3-units each):

  • Select three (3) courses for 9 units from the following categories, with no more than one course from each category (each course must be a minimum of 3-units each)
    • Anthropology (cultural or social)
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Human or child development
    • Ethnic or area studies
    • Human biology or physical anthropology
    • Additional categories (e.g., statistics, gerontology, developmental disabilities) may be approved by the department

II. Upper Division Core

The following 30 units of coursework are required:

  • HDEV 300 - Introduction to Human Development for Human Development Majors Units: 1
  • HDEV 301 - Theories of Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice Overlay
  • HDEV 302 - Research Methods in Human Development Units: 4
  • HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4
  • HDEV 312 - Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Units: 4
  • HDEV 321 - Gender, Race & Class in Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity Overlay
  • HDEV 322 - Adult Development and Aging Units: 4
  • HDEV 400 - Futures and Careers for Human Development Majors Units: 1
  • HDEV 401 - Applying Theories and Methods in Human Development Units: 4

III. Concentration Requirement

Students must select one (1) of the following concentrations listed below to complete the major. Students take three courses (10-12 units) within their chosen concentration. You can choose from the following five concentrations:

IV. Senior Capstone Requirement

The following 4-unit course is required as the senior capstone:

  • HDEV 499W - Senior Research Seminar Units: 4; Breadth Area: University Writing Requirement

Requirements for Human Development Minor

Students must complete 15-16 units of upper division HDEV coursework from HDEV 301 to 459, except HDEV 398 and HDEV 400. 

 

Women's Studies

Women’s Studies explores theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of gender across a range of contexts. Courses connect academic work with the social and political world outside the university, educate our students about a range of social issues and problems that relate to sexism, racism, classics, heterosexism, and ethnocentrism; and link knowledge, research, teaching, and social activism. We engage students in the study of gender and the intersection of gender with other substantive categories of analysis and identity, including race, sexuality, class, disability, and nationality. We promote responsible citizenship in a diverse local and global environment. We empower students to think more critically about social, cultural, and institutional structures, policies and practices.

Undergraduate courses in Women’s Studies ensure that students receive an interdisciplinary education that bridges theory and practice, and focuses on the intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality, and nationality in all areas of research.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Graduates will be able to understand feminist theoretical and methodological perspectives on culture and society.
  • Graduates will have the analytic competency to critique social inequalities founded on the intersections of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and nation.
  • Graduates will be able to critically reflect upon their own lives from a feminist perspective.
  • Graduates will comprehend the challenges of dismantling sexism and other oppressive beliefs, and will become leaders in work for social justice.

Requirements for Women's Studies Minor

The Women's Studies minor is comprised of 16 units, including core coursework and electives. Go to Catalog for this minor.

I. Core Requirements

The following 7 units of coursework are required:

Choose one (1) of the two courses for 3 units:

  • WOST 101 - Perspectives on Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-D1-2 OR   WOST 102 - Introduction to Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity

Plus, take the following 4 units:

  • WOST 401 - Feminist Theory Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity

II. Electives

Choose three (3) courses for 9 units from the following:

  • WOST 301 - Women and Work Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 302 - Women and Families Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 303 - Violence Against Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 402 - Women’s Bodies and Health Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
  • WOST 403 - Comparative Perspectives on Global Feminism Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice

Early Child Development Minor

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) minor is designed to provide non-Human-Development majors who are interested in the field of early childhood development with a recognized set of courses in early childhood development program for their future educational and career development.

Students who are interested in pursuing post-baccalaureate Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teaching certificates should review the 24 unit Early Childhood Development and/or Education prerequisite outlined by California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). CSUEB's minor in Early Childhood Development provides 15 or 16 units towards this requirement. Students can complete the remaining units through additional ECD or ECE coursework in Human Development, Teacher Education, or other academic departments. Lower division units count towards CTC's requirement.

Requirements for Early Child Development Minor

Students must complete 15 or 16 units from the following list of courses: Go to Catalog for this minor

  • HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4 *
  • HDEV 411 - Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4 *
  • HDEV 412 - Early Childhood Social Development: Theory & Research Units: 4 *
  • HDEV 413 - Children in Families and Communities Units: 4 **
  • HDEV 414 - Creative and Artistic Development in Early Childhood Units: 4 ***
  • HDEV 423 - Child Language Development Units: 4 *
  • One course on Supervised Field Experience in ECE Setting (3 or 4 units) ****  [May be a lower division course transferred from community colleges]

    Notes:

    *      This course meets the Core Course Child Growth and Development requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit

    **    This course meets the Core Course Child/Family/Community requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit

    ***   This course meets the Core Course Programs/Curriculum requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit

    ****  This course meets the Supervised Field Experience in ECE Setting requirement for California CTC Child Development Permit

Optional for Majors:

Human Development Online Degree Cohort Program

The Department has noticed that many students enjoy seeing familiar faces in their online classes - students like to get to know each other, study together, and help each other stay on track. To help facilitate this, our department has created Human Development Online Cohorts for students entering the program. Many students find cohorts to be beneficial, but please note that they are optional. 

Here’s what being in a Human Development Online Cohort looks like:

- You can select from the following cohorts: Daytime Zoom Classes, Evening Zoom Classes, or Asynchronous Classes.
- Each semester, the Cohort Coordinator will let you know which core Human Development section to register for. In the Fall Semester, you will take 13 units in Human Development; in the Spring Semester, you will complete 12 Human Development units.
- You will take your core Human Development classes with the other students in your group.
- You will be added to a HDEV cohort group on Canvas, where you can connect with fellow majors.
Students who are interested in joining the Human Development Online Cohort program should fill out the supplemental form below. 

 

Join a Human Development Online Cohort

 

Search for classes by term (click here to search for class listings)

 

List of Courses with Titles

Human Development - Go to Catalog for this department

  •    •  HDEV 300 - Introduction to Human Development for Human Development Majors Units: 1
       •  HDEV 301 - Theories of Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice Overlay
       •  HDEV 302 - Research Methods in Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 311 - Infant and Child Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 312 - Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 321 - Gender, Race & Class in Human Development Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity Overlay
       •  HDEV 322 - Adult Development and Aging Units: 4
       •  HDEV 380 - Lifespan Human Development Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D
       •  HDEV 381 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Lifespan Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 398 - Internship Units: 1-3
       •  HDEV 400 - Futures and Careers for Human Development Majors Units: 1
       •  HDEV 401 - Applying Theories and Methods in Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 411 - Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 412 - Early Childhood Social Development: Theory & Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 413 - Children in Families and Communities Units: 4
       •  HDEV 414 - Creative and Artistic Development in Early Childhood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 419 - Contemporary Research Topics in Early Childhood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 421 - Child Cognitive Development: Theory and Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 422 - Social Development of Children: Theory and Research Units: 4
       •  HDEV 423 - Child Language Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 424 - Global Perspectives on Childhood Units: 4
       •  HDEV 429 - Contemporary Topics on Children and Youth Units: 4
       •  HDEV 431 - Prevention and Intervention in Adolescent Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 432 - Social Dimensions of Conflict in Adolescent and Adult Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 433 - Technologies, Media, and Adolescence Units: 4
       •  HDEV 439 - Contemporary Research Topics in Adolescent Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 441 - Human Development and Work Units: 4
       •  HDEV 442 - Health and Aging Units: 4
       •  HDEV 449 - Contemporary Research Topics in Adulthood and Aging Units: 4
       •  HDEV 451 - Midlife Transitions Units: 4
       •  HDEV 452 - Intimate Relationships Across the Lifespan Units: 4
       •  HDEV 453 - Sexual Orientations in Human Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 459 - Contemporary Research Topics in Women’s Development Units: 4
       •  HDEV 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
       •  HDEV 497 - Issues in Human Development Units: 3
       •  HDEV 498 - Internship Units: 1-3
       •  HDEV 499 - Senior Research Seminar Units: 4
    Women's Studies - Go to Catalog for this department
  •   •  WOST 101 - Perspectives on Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-D1-2
       •  WOST 102 - Introduction to Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 301 - Women and Work Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 302 - Women and Families Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 303 - Violence Against Women Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 401 - Feminist Theory Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 402 - Women’s Bodies and Health Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Diversity
       •  WOST 403 - Comparative Perspectives on Global Feminism Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: Social Justice
       •  WOST 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
       •  WOST 497 - Issues in Women’s Studies Units: 3