BA - Human Development as a major
If you’re fascinated by the history and creative activities of humankind and how this shapes societies and our future, then a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is for you. Our graduates are in demand for their flexible skills, practical outlook and depth of understanding they bring to their roles.
Interested in the study of the human lifespan from conception and birth onwards? Human Development investigates how people develop throughout their lives and how cultural and social settings help to shape what is possible.
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education and Society
- English
- Environmental Planning
- Geography
- History
- International Languages and Cultures
- Law
- Linguistics
- Music
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Māori Language/Te Reo Māori
- Pacific and Indigenous Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Population Studies
- Psychology
- Screen and Media Studies
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Theatre Studies
- Writing Studies
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Years: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Fees (Domestic): | $6,117-$7,132 per year |
| Fees (International): | $25,160 - $32,750 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Community or Iwi Development Coordinator
- Community Educator
- Policy Analyst/ Advisor
- Community Advocate
- Social Services Advocate
- International Aid Worker
- Learning Application Developer
- Trainer
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BA in Human Development
Year 1
One of
CMYHE101 or PSYCH101
One from List A
(see BA Papers below)
One from List D
(see BA Papers below)
Field of the Degree
100 Level
Elective
Elective
Year 2
Any 200 level
HMDEV paper
Any 200 level
HMDEV paper
Any 200 level
HMDEV paper or POPST201 or SOCPY201
One from List B
(see BA Papers below)
Field of the Degree
200 Level
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
Any HMDEV
300 level paper
Any HMDEV
300 level paper
Any HMDEV
300 level paper
Any HMDEV
300 level paper
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
BA Papers
Lists A, B and C
List A: Academic Foundations
- ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
- ARTSC105 Language in Context
- ENSLA103 Undergraduate Research Writing for ESL Students
- ENSLA202 Oral Skills for Academic English
List B: Cultural Perspectives
Any Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies paper, or- ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
- ANTHY102 New Zealand and the Pacific
- INTLC101 International Languages and Cultures
- ANTHY201 Ethnicity and Identity
- ANTHY202 Polynesian Ethnography
- DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
- EDUCA200 Te Hononga Tangata
- ENGLI200 Global Fictions
- FRNCH231 French Language Intermediate 1
- GEOGY219 Māori Lands and Communities
- HISTY225 Indigenous Histories: Narratives, Ethics and Decoloniality
- INTLC221 Understanding East Asia
- INTLC222 European and Latin American Cultures: Tradition and Modernity
- LEGAL211 International Law: Global and Comparative
- LINGS203 Language, Society and Culture
- Any MAORI paper
- Any PACIS paper
List C: Work-Integrated Learning
- ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
- ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- ARTSW302 Work-Related Project in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- LINGS301 Research Apprenticeship
- MEDIA307 Professional Studio Production
- POPST300 Population Studies Work-Related Project
- PSYCH300 Work Placement in Psychology
- PSYCH301 Psychology Research Assistantship
- SOCSC300 Work-Integrated Learning - Work Placements
- SOCSC301 Work-Integrated Learning - Work-Related Project
- SPNSH300 Spanish Internship
- WRITE396 Writing Studies Work Placement
*Please consult our Student Advisors for the correct work-integrated learning paper.
Papers
Papers available within Human Development
Human Development is concerned with developmental change over time in individuals and groups across the human life span.
Human Development is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Human Development may also be taken as a second major or minor within other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Human Development as a single major for the BA or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points in the papers listed for the Human Development major including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete HMDEV100; and at least 30 points from HMDEV200, HMDEV201, HMDEV202 and HMDEV240.
To complete Human Development as part of a double major for the BA, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for the Human Development major including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete HMDEV100; and at least 30 points from HMDEV200, HMDEV201, HMDEV202 and HMDEV240.
To complete a minor in Human Development, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Human Development major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| CMYHE101 | Understanding Hauora, Health and Wellbeing | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Online) & 20A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines a social determinants approach to Health. It includes exploration of a range of interactions that influence the health of populations and determinants of health in New Zealand and global contexts. | ||
| HMDEV100 | Lifespan Development | 20A (Hamilton), 20B (Online) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| HMDEV100 focuses on understanding and enhancing human development through an exploration of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence patterns of development and learning over the lifespan. | ||
| PSYCH101 | Social Psychology, Health and Well-being | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper will introduce major issues in psychology particularly as they relate to health, wellbeing, mental illness, forensic psychology, lifespan development, and social factors in a range of contexts. | ||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| HMDEV200 | Child Development | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper critically explores a diverse range of theories and perspectives that relate to both historical and current discourses to understanding child development. | ||
| HMDEV201 | Adolescent Development | 20A (Hamilton) & 20G (Tauranga) |
| The paper promotes a critical study of the construction of theories specific to the developmental stage of adolescence. It introduces theories of adolescence that have been promoted by a range of theorists over time, and considers how these may be socially and culturally constructed. Current discourses about adolescence - and how t... | ||
| HMDEV202 | Adult Development and Ageing | 20A (Online) |
| This paper draws on theories from developmental psychology, sociology, demography, philosophy and biology to examine learning and change processes through adulthood, and discusses implications for personal and social development. | ||
| HMDEV240 | Group Work for Life Transitions | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces and applies the use of group work skills in various (un)expected life transitions. This paper uses theory from human development, life transitions and group work. | ||
| POPST201 | Population Studies | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Online) |
| This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Population Studies. Students will develop a sound understanding of the demographic drivers of population change and composition, while exploring some of the rich theories and methodological approaches which comprise Population Studies. | ||
| SOCPY201 | Social Policy, Families and Children | 20B (Hamilton) & 20B (Tauranga) |
| This paper further develops students' theoretical understanding of social policy, while focusing specifically on policy related to families and children, providing insight into the relationships between policy and lived experience. | ||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| EDUWK300 | Community Engagement in Education | 20B (Block) & 20B (Block - Tauranga) |
| This paper provides opportunities for professional and personal development within varied work-related settings relevant to the fields of Education and Society, Digital Learning, and Human Development. | ||
| HMDEV300 | Children's Development in Families | 20A (Online) |
| This paper examines the development of children within family and community contexts. Contemporary issues will be investigated with an emphasis on theory and research and their impact on policy and practice. | ||
| HMDEV301 | Critical Issues for Youth in the 21st Century | 20B (Online) & 20G (Online) |
| This paper explores new possibilities for human development in a rapidly changing global environment. Analysis and critique of culturally constructed norms sensitive to gender, ability, culture, sexuality and age will be used. | ||
| HMDEV302 | Ageing in a Changing World | 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper considers the issues arising for adults as they age. It will critically reflect on issues around positive ageing in a global context. | ||
| HMDEV320 | Implementing Inclusive Practices: Building Community Capacity | 20A (Online) & 20B (Online) |
| This paper investigates the question - What skills are required so to fully include disabled children, young people and adults in the educational and social life of their local community? | ||
| HMDEV321 | Motivation and Talent Development in Young People | 20A (Tauranga) |
| Motivation and Talent Development in Young People explores the development of talent in children and youth with a focus on motivation, intelligence, creativity and giftedness, and how special abilities may be recognised and developed in a range of contexts. | ||
| HMDEV322 | Learning and Behaviour Difficulties: Strategies for Professionals | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides practical skills for responding to challenging behaviour and learning difficulties in school classrooms and other learning environments (including workplaces); and considers broader developmental and environmental factors that influence what transpires in settings. | ||
| HMDEV340 | Perspectives on Counselling | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines the philosophical, psychological and sociological principles that underpin the aims and methods of the helping professions in general, and counselling in particular. | ||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|
| COUNS540 | Working with Groups | 20B (Block) |
| This paper explores dialogic group processes with selected kinds of groups. Students will be given the opportunity to develop group membership and leadership roles through observation, participation and evaluation during an experiential workshop format and through on-line discussion and assignments. | ||
| COUNS544 | Discourse and Counselling Psychologies | 20X (Block) |
| This paper offers a constructionist perspective on counselling and includes consideration of psychological theories which have influenced counselling practice. Students will be introduced to concepts which enable analysis of therapeutic conversations. | ||
| COUNS549 | Counselling and Contexts | 20S (Block) |
| This paper provides an overview of counselling practice and its contexts, including an optional module on school counselling. It teaches the skills and ethical perspectives of collaborative approaches to counselling, offering a particular introduction to narrative therapy. | ||
| DINST521 | Contemporary Issues in Disability and Inclusion Studies | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Online) |
| This paper examines the historical and contemporary context that drives the bio-medical and social justice models of inclusive social and educational practice. It will also consider how a disability advocacy focus affects the practice of academic research. | ||
| EDUCA500 | Culturally Responsive Methodologies incorporating kaupapa Maori and critical theories | 20B (Block - Tauranga) |
| Culturally Responsive Methodologies utilise kaupapa Maori and critical theoretical frameworks to develop contexts within which the researched community can define the terms for engaging, relating and co-creating new knowledge. | ||
| EDUCA557 | Research Methods | 20A (Hamilton), 20A (Tauranga), 20B (Online) & 20S (Block) |
| This paper introduces students to the major educational research paradigms, methodologies appropriate to collecting data in schools (including interviews, observations, surveys, case studies), action research, literature reviews, critiquing research, and report writing. It includes consideration of ethical issues in research. | ||
| HMDEV501 | Development of Children and Young People: International Perspectives | 20A (Hamilton) & 20A (Online) |
| This paper provides a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of children and young people's development from birth to 18 years. It discusses research perspectives on optimal development for children and young people within familial, educational and broader social contexts in contemporary societies. Students will be invited to con... | ||
| HMDEV502 | Diversity in Adulthood | 20A (Hamilton) & 20B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on adult development with an emphasis on ageing, diversity, culture and social justice. Examining social and political discourses, the paper explores how the resulting messages influence the everyday experiences of people at different stages of adulthood; and the implications of these for working with diversity i... | ||
| HMDEV503 | Educational and Life Transitions: Changing Roles and Changing Contexts | 20B (Block - Tauranga) |
| The life of an individual involves many transitions to new roles and new contexts. These include numerous educational transitions, from infants and young children entering early childhood services, through school transitions, to adults starting tertiary or work contexts. Each transition may offer both opportunities and challenges. ... | ||
| HMDEV524 | Intelligence, Creativity and the Development of Talent | 20A (Online) |
| This paper involves an in-depth examination of historical and contemporary models of intelligence, creativity, giftedness, and talent, and how these different interpretations impact on policy and practice in education. | ||
| HMDEV565 | Restorative Practices in Education | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines restorative practices and considers their role in education settings. | ||
| MAOED500 | Rangahau Kaupapa Maori - Kaupapa Maori Research | 20X (Hamilton) |
| This paper seeks to explore Kaupapa Maori research theory and methodologies, developing more informed and culturally located and responsive research practice, with a particular focus on researching in Maori educational contexts. | ||
| POPST501 | Population Health and Equity | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It introduces aspects of epidemiology, considers historical, indigenous and contemporary perspectives of health, and explores relationships between health, community and society. | ||
| POPST507 | Critical Demography | 20A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to critical demography as an approach that draws on social science theories to understand key demographic phenomena. Interactive seminars will comprise a blend of structured lectures and in-class discussion focussed on weekly readings drawn from Aotearoa NZ and internationally. The first part of the p... | ||
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.
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.
Contacts
Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education
Undergraduate
Phone: 0800 832 242 or +64 7 838 4500
Email: teach@waikato.ac.nz
Postgraduate
Phone: 07 838 4466 ext 7721
Email: educ_grad@waikato.ac.nz