Yes, as long as the AP score equates one of the courses we allow for the HDS major. You can see the AP credit chart in the UCSD catalog here
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Services Questions
How do I meet with an advisor?
If you feel your questions cannot be answered over VAC (or just want to talk to a real person) you can schedule an advising appointment here:
http://hdsciences.ucsd.edu/advising/appointments.html
How do I submit petitions and other forms to the department electronically?
Please use the following links to submit your forms electronically
For all other forms: Send all relevant documents and forms to the department via email using the following email address and subject line:
- For Student & Course Petitions, visit this link:
https://hdsciences.ucsd.edu/advising/petition.html - To have courses reviewed for Study Abroad Eligibility, please visit this link:
https://hdsciences.ucsd.edu/advising/study-abroad.html - To submit an application for a Double Major, please visit this link:
https://hdsciences.ucsd.edu/advising/double-majors.html
For all other forms: Send all relevant documents and forms to the department via email using the following email address and subject line:
Department email address: HDSciences@ucsd.edu
Email Subject: HDS Form Submission: [Type of form named here; Student last name, first initial]
Example: "HDS Form Submission: SAP Appeal; Welch, A"
An advisor will respond to your email within 3 business days with further instructions.
Prospective Major Questions
Does the HDS major have restrictions?
No. you can directly declare into any HDS B.A. or B.S. major.
HDS is not currently a screened or selective major.
HDS is not currently a screened or selective major.
Can I finish on Time?
HDS majors have 19-21 courses, depening on if you choose the BA (19 classes) or BS (21 classes).
In a normal 4-year timeline (12 quarters), that averages to 2 or less HDS classes per term, Fall/Winter/Spring.
Switching to the major a bit late? Divide the number of classes you have left by the number of classes you like to take per term, and see if that fits in the number of quarters you have left.
For a better sense of how you might complete an HDS major in you timeframe, visit our guide to making an HDS Academic plan here:
Do I have to take classes for a LETTER GRADE?
Yes. All courses for the HDS program (upper-division, lower-division, major, and minor, regardless of subject code -- ALL of them) must be taken for a letter grade.
What is the minimum grade requirement for HDS?
All courses for the HDS program (upper-division, lower-division--ALL of them) must be a C- or above.
D grades are not accepted.
D grades are not accepted.
Can I use a different statistics class than HDS 60?
Fulfilling the HDS 60 requirement with a course other than HDS 60 is considered under limited conditions.
Please view the following page for more information:
Can I use AP credit for a lower-division HDS requirement?
What if I took a class Pass/No Pass prior to pursuing an HDS major?
Only P/NP credit taken prior to pursuing an HDS major can be considered for credit.
Note: Using P/NP credit requires you to submit a petition to the HDS office. A P/NP grade is only approved if it meets the following conditions:
- The course is a lower-division class (upper-division courses cannot be petitioned).
- The lower division course is on our approved course list.
- The actual grade earned in the lower admission course was a C or above.
- You can submit with your petition verification of what the ACTUAL LETTER GRADE would have been if you had enrolled for letter. This verification must be provided from the listed instructor of record for the course in one of two forms:
- A letter from the course professor that is on official department letterhead, and uploaded with the petition.
- An email submitted directly from the professors' official UCSD email account to the following email address:
Department email address: HDSciences@ucsd.edu
Email Subject: HDS Form Submission: [course name] Grade verification; [Student name]
How frequently is HDS 1 offered?
HDS 1 is offered twice per year: Fall and Spring. HDS 1 is required of all majors/minors and cannot be substituted.
Junior college transfer students should consider the UC San Diego Cross Enrollment Program if they wish to complete this course prior to transferring. Apply to cross enroll via the UC San Diego Cross Enrollment Program Application.
Can I take a lower-division course at another school?
Yes, with the exception of HDS 1 or 60.
Community College courses taken for HDS must articulate to one of our approved courses via Assist.org, or be approved for HDS via petition. Classes can also be taken at another university, including abroad, but must be UC transferable and approved via petition. You MUST take it for a letter grade.
How do I declare the HDS major?
Incoming Students: You can switch your major in TSS after enrolling in your first UCSD class (making you a "registered" student) this fall.
Current Students: There's a bit of a pause on major changes while we are switching over to the new Triton Student System (TSS) (mid-July 2026). Once online, you should be able to request to change your major and/or add a minor directly within your TSS profile.
Just choose the major code that corresponds with the degree you plan to pursue:
What is the difference between the HDS B.A. and B.S. degrees?
For more information about the differences between our Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Science degree check out our B.A. and B.S. compared information page.
Major Questions
OK, I'm now a HDS major. What classes should I take first?
You should focus on your coursework in this order:
- First: Major Preparation (Lower-division). This includes HDS 1, Formal Skills, Bio Sciences, Social Sciences, and Statistics.
Pro-tip: You should prioritize HDS 1. Save Statistics for closer to your junior year if you can, as it is a firmly enforced prerequisite for HDS 181, and you will want your statistics knowledge to be fresh when you take 181. - Next: Completing your 4 core courses. These provide the basis of developmental theory in the 3 domains.
- Then: After taking statistics, HDS 1, and some course classes, You can begin your methods sequence with HDS 181. Your development series courses can begin at any time, but ideally, should be completed after a number of your core courses are done.
- HDS 191 should occur after completing HDS 181, your core courses, and at least 1 or 2 development courses.
- HDS 150, the senior seminar, is the capstone course. It should be taken at the end of the major.
So if you started HDS your first year, your major progress should look like this...
| 1st & 2nd year: | Lower Division (Major Prep) |
| 2nd & 3rd year: | Core (HDS 110-133) |
| 3rd & 4th year: | Development Series & Methods (HDS 181, 191, elective) |
| 4th/Final Year: | Senior Capstone (HDS 150) |
For more detailed academic planning tips, visit our guide to making an HDS Academic plan here:
What is the minimum major GPA needed for HDS?
Your GPA requirements for a B.A. or B.S. in Human Developmental Sciences is the same as the general university requirements: a minimum of 2.0 GPA.
Grades for the HDS Major and Minor must be C- or above. D's are not accepted.
Grades for the HDS Major and Minor must be C- or above. D's are not accepted.
I'm trying to add HDS 181, but TSS won't let me. What's wrong?
You have to be pre-authorized to book your seat in HDS 181. HDS 181 requires a minimum of junior standing, and the following prerequisites: HDS 1, Statistics, and a minimum of three upper division course completed--at least one in each domain. During peak enrollment periods, registration priority will be given to student who are closest to major completion.
Learn more about HDS 181 enrollment here:
https://hdsciences.ucsd.edu/courses/hds181/index.html
Seat requests are reviewed in 1st pass, and course booking is not authorized until after 2nd pass. Enrollment in 181 is processed independent of the 1st/2nd pass system--please use those times to secure other courses you need.
I'm trying to add HDS 191, but TSS won't let me. What's wrong?
You have to be approved to book your seat in HDS 191, which requires the submission of an application well in advance (see the below HDS 191 FAQ), and completion of the prerequisite, HDS 181.
Learn more about HDS 191 approvals here:
https://hdsciences.ucsd.edu/courses/hds191/index.html
If you are already approved for the term you are requesting 191, you will receive notification of which section you will be allowed to book. This notification occurs AFTER you have received your site placement for that term. Until that happens, you will not be allowed to officially book the course in TSS. As is the case with HDS 181, enrollment in HDS 191 is independent of the 1st or 2nd pass system--please use those times to secure other courses you need.
I'm trying to add HDS 150, but TSS won't let me. What's wrong?
You have to be pre-authorized to enroll in HDS 150. HDS 150, the Senior Seminar, is one of the last classes for HDS majors to take, so we need to verify you are indeed ready for it by requiring a degree check prior to enrollment. Graduating seniors receive priority. Learn more about HDS 150 and how to request a seat from the HDS 150 course webpage.
I want to go abroad. Can I take courses for HDS while I am there?
Yes. The only HDS courses you must take at UC San Diego (no exceptions) are HDS 1, HDS 181, HDS 191, and HDS 150. For more information, see our page about HDS study abroad.
Can I take courses for HDS at another UC or other school in the US?
Yes.
The only HDS courses you must take at UC San Diego (no exceptions) are HDS 1, HDS 181, HDS 191, and HDS 150. All upper-division courses from other universities must be approved via petition.
I am currently on track for the B.A. in HDS, but would like to switch over to a B.S. What should I do?
Information about switching from the B.A. to the B.S. can be found at the bottom of the B.A. and B.S. compared information page.
If you are considering switching from the B.A. to the B.S. it is highly recommended that you meet with and HDS advisor.
HDS 191 Questions
What is HDS 191?
This course combines lectures on research methodology with an actual field research position at a site somewhere in San Diego county. It includes 3 hours/week in class, and four hours/week at a pre-approved study site. This course is different from HDS 181 in that you are not in a laboratory setting (i.e. a controlled environment). The research phenomenon you are observing is studied in a naturally occurring environment.
When should I take HDS 191?
By the time you are enrolling in HDS 191, you should have completed HDS 181 and a significant number of upper-division core and/or development courses, with at least 1 course in each area of focus: Biological, Ontogenetic, Socio-cultural. You do not need to wait until your last quarter to take HDS 191.
Do I really have to apply a year in advance to take HDS 191?
Not exactly one whole year -- Your application has to be submitted in the spring quarter the year prior to your HDS 191 enrollment. If you are requesting a placement for the following fall, that is only 5 months away. If you are requesting spring, then it is a year in advance.
There are 100 seats available in HDS 191 each year: 25 in fall, 50 in winter, and 25 in spring. In order to make sure theses are evenly distributed and that everyone who needs a placement gets one, we take enrollment requests during the month of May and fill all 100 positions for the following academic year. We always take into consideration your desired quarter, site location, academic plans, career & research interests, and special requirements when assigning your placement.
Do I have to have all prerequisites completed to apply for HDS 191?
No. You are welcome to submit your application regardless of your status—so please do. Course prerequisites and restrictions need to be cleared before your first day of class, which could be almost a year away, depending on which quarter you are placed. So, if you think you may take the course any time next year, apply! You can always withdraw your application (and make someone on our waitlist very happy) if your plans change.
What if I miss the application period for HDS 191?
You will be placed on our internal waitlist for an opening during the academic year.
Once in a while, we do offer the course during summer session, as a normal 10-week session, when there is high enough demand.
I have been approved to take HDS 191 this quarter, but TritonLink won't let me enroll. What is wrong?
You must be pre-authorized to book one of the two sections. Pre-authorization does not occur until all 191 students have HAD their booking windows and determined their schedules for the following quarter. Because your enrollment in 191 has been approved in advance, you are guaranteed a seat…but not your section of choice. Students with genuine course schedule conflicts that prevent them from enrolling in either 191 section will receive priority for section enrollment. Once all legitimate schedule conflicts are resolved, then remaining students will be allowed to book.
Is HDS 191 really as much work as they say it is?
Yes. You should take no more than two additional courses and keep outside commitments and part-time jobs to a minimum while completing HDS 191.