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HDFS Undergraduate Advising

Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  1. Becoming an HDFS Major or Minor
    1. How do I declare Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) as a major?
    2. When are pre-major and major applications due?
    3. What is involved with a Human Development and Family Science minor and how do I declare it?
    4. Where can I find out information about other minors that may be available to me?
    5. Who do I contact for information about pursuing a dual degree or double major?
  2. Meeting with my Advisor
    1. How do I know who my advisor is?
    2. How do I schedule an appointment with my advisor?
  3. Course Scheduling
    1. How do I search for classes that are offered next quarter?
    2. What do I do if a class I want to schedule for next quarter is already full?
    3. A course I want to take says that I need the instructor's permission in order to enroll. How do I get this permission?
  4. Policies and Procedures
    1. What is the Freshman Forgiveness Rule?
    2. How do I drop a class and when are the deadlines?
    3. How do I petition a course requirement?
    4. How do I apply for graduation?
  5. Field Work/Practicum Opportunities
    1. What is Family Studies field work (HDFS 589.01 and 589.02) and how do I register for it?
    2. Where have students completed Family Studies field work in the past?
    3. What is the Practicum in Infant-Toddler Education and Care (HDFS 365) and how do I register for it?
    4. What is the Practicum in Preschool Education and Care (HDFS 465.01 or 465.02) and how do I register for it?
    5. What is the First Education Experience Program (FEEP – EDU PAES 289.01 and EDU PAES 271) and how do I register for it?

Becoming an HDFS Major

a) How do I declare Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) as a major?

Any OSU student with at least a 2.0 GPA can apply to be admitted into the pre-HDFS major. Students starting in the pre-major can apply to the full major once they complete the requirements described below.

Students who have at least a 2.0 GPA on at least 15 hours of OSU course work and who have already earned a C average in three social science courses (Soc 101 or Rural Soc 105, Psych 100, and a choice GEC social science course or HDFS 364) can apply to be admitted to the full HDFS major.

Both pre-major and major applications can be picked up and returned to 201 Campbell Hall. These applications must be submitted by the first Friday of the quarter in which the student wishes to enter the pre-major or major.

b) When are pre-major and major applications due?

Both pre-major and major applications are due by the first Friday of the quarter in which the student wishes to enter the pre-major or major. The applications can be picked up and returned to 201 CM.

c) What is involved with a Human Development and Family Science minor and how do I declare it?

A minor in Human Development and Family Science can be a great compliment to any degree program although it is particularly beneficial for students who plan to work with children, families, and/or individuals in helping roles. The minor allows students to delve into how humans develop across the lifespan and to understand individuals in the context of the family environment.

The HDFS minor requires at least 22 credit hours made up of the following courses:

To declare a minor in HDFS, you must first schedule a meeting with the Academic Program Coordinator by calling 292-6612. At this meeting, the Academic Program Coordinator will review the minor with you and approve your Minor Program Form. Once you get your Minor Program Form approved, you must file the form with your college or school office. Read more information about the HDFS minor (pdf).

d) Where can I find out information about other minors that may be available to me?

Although a minor is not required for HDFS students, some students choose to add a minor to compliment their degree program. While some minors can be declared simply by meeting with the Academic Program Coordinator (call 292-6612 for an appointment), others require that permission first be secured from the department offering the minor. The College of Arts and Sciences maintains a list of all minors available at OSU. Please review the information listed there for the minor you are interested in and follow the stated procedures to declare this minor.

e) Who do I contact for information about pursuing a dual degree or double major?

Students interested in pursuing a dual degree or a double major should schedule a meeting with the Academic Program Coordinator as there are specific rules that govern dual degrees and double majors. You can schedule a meeting with the Academic Program Coordinator by calling 292-6612.

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Meeting with My Advisor

a) How do I know who my advisor is?

To find out who your assigned advisor is, please visit the Grades and Advising section of Buckeye Link to access either your Advising Report or Degree Audit. Both of these documents will list the last name of your advisor.

b) How do I schedule an appointment with my advisor?

To schedule an appointment with your advisor, please call (614) 292-9261 between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. Because advisors' schedules change regularly as students make appointments, please do not e-mail your advisor to schedule an appointment.

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Course Scheduling

a) How do I search for classes that are offered next quarter?

To search for classes, please visit the Course Planning section of Buckeye Link. There are a variety of scheduling tools available at this site, including the Master Schedule of Classes. The Master Schedule provides a search tool for all of the classes offered at OSU for the upcoming quarter. Once you input a department name, you will see a list of all of the classes offered in that particular department. You can also search for individual classes by inputting both the department name and course number. Once you have found the course you are looking for, you can then click on course availability to see how many seats are open in the particular class.

b) What do I do if a class I want to schedule for next quarter is already full?

If a class you want to take is full, you should first put yourself on the waitlist for that particular class using the online registration system. If you are on the waitlist and other students drop the course, you may have a chance of getting enrolled in the course. After putting yourself on the waitlist, you can also contact the instructor of the course and ask him or her to sign a Course Enrollment Permission form (available in CM 201 or 166) to allow you permission to enter a full section. If the instructor signs the form giving you permission, you can then return this form to CM 201 or 166 to have it added to your schedule.

c) A course I want to take says that I need the instructor's permission in order to enroll. How do I get this permission?

To be added into a course requiring permission, you must contact the instructor of the course and ask him or her to sign a Course Enrollment Permission form (available in CM 201 or 166) to give you permission to enter the course. If the instructor signs the form giving you permission, you can then return this form to CM 201 or 166 to have it added to your schedule.

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Policies and Procedures

a) What is the Freshman Forgiveness Rule?

The Freshman Forgiveness Rule automatically goes into effect when a course in which a student has previously earned a grade of D+, D, and/or E during the first 44 credit hours of enrollment is repeated before the end of 89 credit hours of enrollment. When the student repeats the course before the end of 89 hours of enrollment, the new grade earned will replace the old grade in the calculation of the student's cumulative point-hour ratio. However, both grades will still remain on the student's permanent record and transcript. The Freshman Forgiveness Rule can only be applied to up to 15 credit hours of D+, D, and/or E grades.

b) How do I drop a class and when are the deadlines?

You can drop a class using the online registration system up until 5:00 p.m. of the third Friday of the quarter (second Friday of the relevant summer term). You may withdrawal after 5:00 p.m. of the third Friday of a quarter and until 5:00 p.m. of the seventh Friday of a quarter through completing a Change Ticket in 201 CM. However, in this case, a mark of "W" is entered on your permanent record for that course.

From 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the seventh week through the end of the last week of regularly scheduled classes, you may drop courses only by petition to the Undergraduate Student Services Office (201 CM). It is only under extreme, extenuating circumstances that you would be allowed to drop courses after the seventh week. If the drop is approved, you will receive a "W" on your permanent record for that given course.

For first or second term courses during the summer quarter, you may drop a course up until 5:00 p.m. of the second Friday of the relevant term. After this time, you may only withdrawal through petitioning with the Office of Undergraduate Students Services.

c) How do I petition a course requirement?

If you would like to try to substitute an equivalent course you have previously taken for one of your required courses, you will need to schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss the matter. To the appointment, please bring a copy of the course description and syllabus of the course you wish to substitute so that your advisor can get an adequate idea of the content of the course. If your advisor deems it appropriate, you can then complete a Course Petition Form which will be forwarded onto either the HDFS Director of Undergraduate Programs or the Undergraduate Student Services Office for evaluation.

d) How do I apply for graduation?

Graduation Applications can be picked up and returned to CM 201. These applications are due two quarters prior to your graduation quarter by the first Friday. The application asks you to list the courses you plan to take during your last two quarters of study. It is advisable to schedule a meeting with your advisor for help making sure you have planned in all of the courses and requirements you need for graduation.

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Field Work/Practicum Opportunities

a) What is Family Studies field work (HDFS 589.01 and 589.02) and how do I register for it?

HDFS 589.01 and 589.02 is a two quarter field work experience in a community based agency or organization. Students are in the field 12 hours per week combined with a one hour seminar class. Field work must be completed in consecutive Autumn and Winter quarters or consecutive Winter and Spring quarters. Students who are eligible for field work must have completed HDFS 466, have a minimum of a 2.5 CPHR, be in their fourth year (rank 4), and have written permission of the instructor. Applications for field work must be filed in the department office two quarters prior to the intended quarter of enrollment.

Applications for Family Studies field work are available in 129 Campbell Hall. Prior to filling out an application, students must look through the Field Work Placement Binder also available in 129 CM which contains descriptions of possible field work placement sites. After reviewing the binder, students choose three possible agencies/organizations in which they would be interested in being placed. The Department also offers a field work information session during Autumn and Spring quarters for interested students. The dates of these sessions will be posted in 166 CM.

If you have further questions or would like more information about Family Studies field work, please contact Dr. Suzanne Bartholomae (bartholomae.1@osu.edu), Field Work Coordinator, or Dr. Eugene Folden (folden.1@osu.edu), HDFS Director of Undergraduate Programs.

b) Where have students completed Family Studies field work in the past?

Here are some (but not all) of the past placements sites for Family Studies field work. More information about these sites and positions is available in the Field Work Placement Binder in 129 CM.

c) What is the Practicum in Infant-Toddler Education and Care (HDFS 365) and how do I register for it?

HDFS 365 offers students the experience of participating in an infant-toddler classroom of the A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory for Child and Family Studies as a student teacher. Students are placed in the setting for 8 hours per week plus take a 1.5 hour seminar class where they work alongside members of the classroom teaching team and participate in all aspects of the teaching profession including curriculum planning, implementation of planned experiences, and daily management of classroom activities and routines. This practicum provides an excellent opportunity for students to lay the groundwork for future work with infants and toddlers. HDFS majors are eligible for this experience if they have completed HDFS 363 (Infant-Toddler Development), HDFS 364 (Lifespan Human Development), and receive the written permission of the instructor.

Students interested in enrolling in HDFS 365 must contact the course instructor one quarter in advance since there is a variety of paperwork that needs to be completed. Please see your advisor for more information about this process.

d) What is the Practicum in Preschool Education and Care (HDFS 465.01 or 465.02) and how do I register for it?

HDFS 465.01 and 465.02 offer students the experience of participating in a pre-school classroom of the A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory for Child and Family Studies as a student teacher. Students are placed in the setting for 4 to 8 hours per week plus take a 1.5 hour seminar class where they are able to apply the theory they have learned in HDFS 361 (Introduction to Child Development) and HDFS 461 (Guidance of Young Children in Groups). HDFS 464 (Constructing a Curriculum Model for Young Children) is typically taken concurrently with HDFS 465. Through this experience, students will work alongside the Lab School teachers and participate in all aspects of the teaching profession including curriculum planning, implementation of planned experiences, and daily management of classroom activities and routines. This practicum provides an excellent opportunity for students to lay the groundwork for future age three to grade three teacher licensure programs. Students are eligible for this experience if they have completed HDFS 361 or HDFS 364, HDFS 461, and receive the written permission of the instructor. This practicum experience should be completed concurrently with HDFS 464, but may be taken at a later time if necessary.

Students interested in enrolling in HDFS 465.01 or 465.02 must contact the course instructor one quarter in advance since there is a variety of paperwork that needs to be completed. Please see your advisor for more information about this process.

e) What is the First Education Experience Program (FEEP – EDU PAES 289.01 and EDU PAES 271) and how do I register for it?

FEEP is designed to provide students with an introductory experience in the field of education. Students are placed in a school setting 3 hours per day for 4 days per week (12 hours total) where they are supervised by a current education professional and earn 5 credit hours (EDU PAES 289.01). Along with this experiential component, students also enroll in a 3 credit hour course (EDU PAES 271) that occurs once per week. Both the school placement and the concurrent course occur in the mornings so students participating in FEEP must schedule all other classes in the afternoon. The experience is offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. Students can register for FEEP through the FEEP Office during specified dates and times. Please see the FEEP website for more information about registration.

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