Human Development
Why study Human Development?
The Human Development programme explores the development of individuals, families, groups and communities throughout the human lifespan. It is important for those wishing to go into professions such as youth work, eldercare, social work, counselling and teaching. An understanding of human development is relevant to many other careers that involve working with or for people.
Papers develop skills relevant to career objectives such as human relations, human services, programme planning, community liaison, counselling, policy and evaluation, administration of programs concerned with the family or other groups and research.
Graduates gain a solid foundation in theory and research to understand and explain the development of people from the early years through to old age, have the ability to examine how different contexts influence people's lives, learning and behaviour, and are able to apply this knowledge to specific life situation
Human Development is available as a major and a graduate level subject in the following areas:
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Studies - School of Arts, School of Social Sciences and the School of Education
Bachelor of Social Sciences - School of Education
It may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject with other undergraduate degrees (subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies). Human Development papers also count towards Education and Teaching degrees.
Career Opportunities
- Community educator
- Community or Iwi Development Coordinator
- Policy Analyst & Advisor
- Community Advocate
- Social Services Advocate
- International Aid Worker
- Learning Application Developer
- Trainer
Hamilton, Tauranga, Online
Study Human Development in these qualifications
Study in Tauranga
Students in Tauranga can complete a major in Human Development without leaving the Bay. A number of papers are taught at our Tauranga CBD campus, and you'll have online options to choose from as well.
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Graduate study options
Human Development is available as a major and graduate level subject in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Papers in this subject are offered by the School of Education.
Students majoring in other Social Sciences disciplines for their BSocSc(Hons) and MSocSc may also consider taking one or two Human Development papers with particular relevance to their major subject: for instance, Psychology majors may be interested in Conflict Resolution, Working with Groups, or Counselling, and Psychology or Social Policy majors with a critical bent might consider taking Young People in Contemporary New Zealand Society and Difference and Diversity in Human Development.
Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the BSocSc(Hons) in Human Development, a student should normally have majored in Human Development in their undergraduate degree and have at least a B average in the best three of their 300 level Human Development papers or all of their undergraduate Human Development papers. Students who have taken an undergraduate major in Psychology will normally be considered to meet the criteria for entry to graduate study in Human Development. Admission requirements vary, so students should consult the Graduate Adviser directly.
To complete a BSocSc(Hons) in Human Development, students must complete 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points of research, normally HDCO591 or an equivalent approved by the Programme Convenor and at least 30 further points from papers listed for Human Development. Students who are intending to go on to a MSocSc in Human Development must include an approved research methods paper in their BSocSc(Hons) programme.
Visit Bachelor of Social Sciences to find out more about the entry and requirements for this qualification.
Master of Social Sciences
Entry to the MSocSc in Human Development is open to students who have completed a BSocSc(Hons) in Human Development (or equivalent) and have gained a B+ average across all 500 level papers.
To complete a MSocSc in Human Development, students must take a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and 60 points from approved 500 level papers. MSocSc students who have not completed an approved research methods paper in their honours degree must include an approved research methods paper in their masters programme.
Visit Master of Social Sciences (MSocSc) to find out more about the entry and requirements for this qualification.
Postgraduate Certificate
Entry to the PGCert(HumDev) is open to suitably qualified candidates who have completed study at an advanced level and satisfied any prerequisites for graduate study in Human Development.
Students must gain 60 points at 500 level or above in Human Development.
Visit Postgraduate Certificate to find out more about the entry and requirements for this qualification.
Postgraduate Diploma
Entry to the PGDip(HumDev) is open to suitably qualified candidates who have completed study at an advanced level and satisfied any prerequisites for graduate study in Human Development.
Students must gain 120 points at 500 level or above, including 90 points in Human Development.
Visit Postgraduate Diploma to find out more about the entry and requirements for this qualification.