As a major public research university, UNH emphasizes hands-on experience and research opportunities. Students in the human development and family studies program have multiple opportunities to put theory into practice through the Child Study and Development Center, Family Connections Center and Marriage and Family Therapy Center. Students in the Child Development Concentration may apply to the Early Childhood Education Teaching Preparation Program, while students in the Family Support Concentration are encouraged to pursue provisional status as a Certified Family Life Educator, preparing them to work in areas such as social services, health services, family support and youth programs.

Juniors in the child development concentration who have maintained a minimum overall GPA of 3.2, and a departmental GPA of 3.2 are eligible to apply. Please note that this is a competitive program with limited enrollment. Those accepted into the program must maintain this level of achievement throughout the program. Students must be prepared to have their own transportation for off-campus placements as needed. Applications are available through the department website http://chhs.unh.edu/hdfs/undergraduate-forms and are due by March 1st of each year. Completed applications will be reviewed by the child development faculty. Admission decisions will be made by mid-March. Provisional admission may be given to those who have not yet taken and passed the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test (or who have not received approval from the New Hampshire Department of Education for a Praxis Core Waiver Request) at the time of application in mid-February. Final admission will be given pending the submission of a passing Praxis core test score (or approved waiver) by the last day of final exams at the end of the junior year.