Many HDFS courses are offered online. Students transferring to Mason will have greater flexibility when scheduling a semester.

The HDFS program focuses on lifespan, human development, and family science. It also fosters critical thinking and develops research, communication, and career-ready skills that prepare students to become professionals in services for individuals and families.

Through major course work, students critically analyze complex family issues, advocate for families in schools, communities, and in policy arenas, and address social-structural factors that contribute to and influence 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).

With our emphasis on experiential learning, students are required to complete two semesters of internship and to integrate research training with service fieldwork. Such experiences will further prepare our students for diverse careers in the human development and family science field. If you have questions about the HDFS program, please visit the HDFS website (https://integrative.gmu.edu/programs/la-ba-hdfs) or email directly to the program (hdfs@gmu.edu).

Students interested in Mason are encouraged to focus on completing courses that meet general education requirements. BA degree programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have additional requirements in: philosophy or religion, social and behavioral science, foreign language through the intermediate level, and non-western culture. Students are encouraged to use the "Contact an Institution" section of the portal and connect with our staff for questions related to specific course equivalencies and requirements. Applicable transferred credits can be used to fulfill the HDFS major requirements.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
• Connect with an advisor at your community college and George Mason University within your first year

All HDFS students are required to complete two semesters of internship. Students can complete the two semesters of internship remotely or on-site. Students are advised to complete the internships toward the end of the program.

HDFS curriculum gives students an opportunity to pursue minors or double majors without needing to take extra courses.

By working with other programs at George Mason University, we assist students who are interested in a bachelors/accelerated masters (BAM) program. Possible BAM programs include Elementary Education, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Education, Foreign Language Education, Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Interdisciplinary Studies, and more. One of the most common BAM programs for HDFS students is Elementary Education, which provides students with an opportunity to work on becoming an elementary school teacher. Through BAM programs, students typically complete both bachelors and masters degrees within five years.

There is a wide range of career opportunities within human services, such as careers in education, family interventions, healthcare, government and public policy, and business. We have alumni who become elementary school teachers, special education teachers, early childhood educators, and child life professionals. Some students go on to work for educational institutions, mental health organizations, and the government. The required two semesters of internship provide students with opportunities to establish networks and long-term relationships in their desired career fields and to create opportunities for job acquisition.

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: George Mason University

• Our students enroll from all over the Commonwealth, all 50 states, and more than 130 countries.
• Transfer students are encouraged, but not required to join our residential campus community of 6,300 students.
• Mason transfers thrive in any number of the 400+ academic, cultural, or social student organizations.