Looking for a gentler semester? Start with courses where students have earned higher grades.
Highest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Only courses with at least 100 letter grades are ranked.
HDFS 592 provides research experience in Human Development and Family Studies under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Reviewers describe the course as having low difficulty and a manageable workload, noting that few assignments count toward the final grade.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to family-focused developmental assessment with infants and young children, covering interviewing, history taking, observation, and screening.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The workload is heavy on readings, which some find essential for success while others view as a waste of time due to poor assignment design.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Examines the role and function of play and playfulness in promoting development across the lifespan.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Reviewers note that attendance is required and a textbook is necessary for the course.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Covers research methods in human development and family studies, including quantitative and qualitative designs, participatory action research, and evaluation research.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews describe the course as difficult, requiring significant studying and attendance, with some noting that exams were hard and grading scales were elevated.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026HDFS 263 provides a foundation for understanding human development from adolescence through old age, covering theoretical foundations, research findings, and practical applications.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Spring 2026HDFS 517 explores theoretical perspectives and methodologies to understand how intimate relationships develop, thrive, or deteriorate over time.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Workload is described as manageable with easy grades, but students must complete all requirements because the instructor is strict and does not offer leniency or clear explanations.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026HDFS 650 studies the purposes, contexts, and implementation of parenting support and education programs.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The workload is manageable, with papers described as not bad if students attend class, though one reviewer noted starting assignments late still resulted in high grades.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026HDFS 262 provides a foundation in child development from conception through middle childhood, covering theoretical and practical applications.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Spring 2026Introduction to research at the intersection of family and poverty studies.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Spring 2026Examines family diversity and human development across racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., shaped by culture, history, and socio-political contexts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Reviewers frequently cite last-minute assignment postings, sometimes less than 24 hours before deadlines, and unclear instructions. The workload includes group projects, papers, and in-class assignments, with some noting that online formats require significantly more work than in-person sessions.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026HDFS 253 is a leadership symposium that examines careers in Human Ecology through presentations by high-level leaders in various HDFS-related professions.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Kristy Burkholder: Reviewers report a high workload relative to the one-credit value, citing short notice for paper assignments and the final paper.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Examines child interaction in socialization settings, focusing on family and community socialization processes.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Polina Levchenko: Students report a heavy volume of daily in-class assignments and projects that are time-consuming and difficult to track, with some finding the workload annoying despite the material not being academically hard.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to culturally diverse families, focusing on structural factors and demographic trends.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The workload is light, with reading taking about an hour weekly and assignments described as easy or busy work. Students note that materials are often posted late, requiring quick turnaround for submissions.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026