Nov 05, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Human Development and Human Services, B.A.

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Minimum number of credits required to graduate:  124

Minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate:  2.0

Minimum number of credits to complete the major:  54

 

School: School of Education and Social Policy

Department: Applied Human Development and Community Studies

Learn more about the program

 

The Human Development and Human Services major provides a strong foundation of developmental theory, concepts, and practices to prepare individuals to work with a wide range of age groups in a variety of human service settings. This major also provides a solid base from which to pursue graduate studies in a variety of human service fields, including counseling (e.g., school, adjustment); social work; community engagement; speech language pathology; child life; K-12 education; and higher education (e.g., admissions, residence life).

Human Development and Human Services majors, like all other Merrimack College students, take additional courses that fulfill the Foundations and Connections Core Curriculum, as well as complete a field experience to explore career interests related to human services. Interested students are encouraged to visit the website and speak to their advisor for the most updated information.

Major Requirements

The major requires the completion of 54 credits, as outlined below.

Required Courses

Electives

Choose four courses from the following sample list of electives or any course with an HDE prefix:

Note

If you intend to pursue a Master’s in Speech-Language Learning, we recommend you minor in Communication Abilities across the Lifespan (CAL) and also take all of the elective options listed for the minor.

School Counseling Dual Degree (B.A. and M.Ed.)

5-year Bachelor’s to Master’s program

Merrimack College offers a direct entry accelerated pathway that allows students to satisfy requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Human Services and a Master of Education in School Counseling in five years.This requires 54 credits.

Required Courses

Electives

Students choose two elective courses from the following list or any course with an HDE prefix.

Retention for Dual Degree Program

Students will be expected to: 

  • maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA

  • interview with the Graduate Program Director 

  • demonstrate appropriate academic and professional dispositions

Note: After successful completion of the undergraduate portion of the dual degree program, students will follow the graduate course requirements for the program of study.

Note

After successful completion of the undergraduate portion of the 3+2 programs, students will follow the graduate course requirements for the program of study.

Social Work Dual Degree (B.A. and M.S.W.)

5-year Bachelor’s to Master’s program

Merrimack College offers a direct entry accelerated pathway that allows students to satisfy requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Human Services and a Master of Social Work in five years. This requires 58 credits.

Required Courses

Electives

Students choose three elective courses from the following list or any course with an HDE prefix.

Retention for Dual Degree Program

Students will be expected to: 

  • maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA

  • interview with the Graduate Program Director 

  • demonstrate appropriate academic and professional dispositions

Note: After successful completion of the undergraduate portion of the dual degree program, students will follow the graduate course requirements for the program of study.

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