Family and Individual Development for College Credit

By: Emily Litke

HDFS 1070 Individual and Family Development is a course normally taught at the University of Connecticut as a semester course for a large sum of $1,800. This price is what a normal 3-credit course would cost a student at Uconn.

However, for the same three credits and a much more in depth approach to the class, you can take this class at Wethersfield High School for only $125 as a full year class.

As a former student, Family and Individual Development was a great stepping stone to college level classes. It gives students a jumpstart on college credits and allows them to apply real life situations, from their own lives as well as research from case studies, to their work and class discussions.

Mairead Breton, who took this class as a Junior in high school, stated “The independent and self driven work in the human development class allowed me to be prepared to succeed in a typical college class and get used to the way that assignments are given.”

Mrs. Bailey, who is a certified ECE teacher with a masters in education and an undergraduate in Family Consumer Sciences Education, has been teaching this class for 2 years now. She states that “Students will have an understanding of Individual and Family development through the lifespan, as well as learn about societal factors and family influences that affect development.” She also states that “By the end of the year, I hope my students appreciate the diversity in families and different cultures.”

As a full year class, this class goes very in depth into human development through the lifespan, family diversity, as well as influences that affect development. Students will be able to analyze concepts by relating them back to their own personal experiences as well as learn to read and write at a college level with depth and insight, and be able to give credit for what has been read.

Each semester, this course requires a minimum of 10 community service hours. Mrs. Bailey puts a large emphasis on the fact that the volunteer work that is required in this class is what makes it stand out from others, stating “Volunteer work is what sets this course up as different. It allows students to work in a field they may be interested in one day and possibly make a good impression for future careers.”

At Uconn, this course is required for any student going into a degree in human services, like psychology majors, social work majors, and so many others. However, even if you decide to major in something else, the credits can still be used towards any of the required elective classes all students must take.