Frequently Asked Questions about HDFS

New Undergraduate Options

New baccalaureate requirements are in place for students entering the HDFS major, beginning summer 2006. Two options have been approved:

These replace the four former options:

To view the new requirements, go to the official Undergraduate Bulletin.

Some common questions and answers about this change are listed below. This will not affect current majors. If you have any questions about the new requirements, contact your academic advisor. For students following the new requirements, sample course schedules for each semester have been developed for your convenience.

Recommended Academic Plan of Study for:

I am already in the major. Will my degree requirements change?
No. Students who are in the major before summer 2006 follow the requirements for the option they are in now. Nothing has changed for current majors even if they will graduate in several years.To view these requirements, follow this link to the HDFS Archived Undergraduate Bulletin.
Why did the requirements change?
After much review and consultation with human service agencies, the department believed that the current world of human services professions does not make distinctions based on age groups (infancy, adolescence, etc.) as they had in the past. In addition, the new options offer more flexibility in course choices.
How are the new requirements different from the old?
The new requirements allow for greater flexibility in the types of courses students can choose to fulfill the LSDS or LSHS option requirements.
There are several important changes worth noting. There are two additional required courses: HD FS 455 (Development and Administration of Human Services Programs) and a US Cultures course (a course with the US designation). The new HDFS requirement of another US Cultures course is in addition to HDFS 315 (which double-counts for the HDFS major and US Cultures requirement) and the International Cultures (IL) requirement. Review the Supporting Course List or see an HD FS academic advisor for the list of recommended courses to fulfill this requirement (PDF) (HTML).
If I am already in the major and want to change to one of the new options, how do I make the change?
Students who want to move to one of the new options (LSDS or LSHS) should meet with their academic advisor for comparison of both sets of requirements. For students who elect moving to the new requirements LSDS or LSHS), note that it is not possible to revert to the former option (ADA , CHS, CYF, or LSPAN) once the change is made. For students in CYF, ADA or LSPAN options, it is recommended that they remain in their current option.
Are more credits required for the new options?
No. The total credits remain the same (120 credits minimum).
I am a pre-major student intending to major in HDFS. Will this new curriculum affect me?
Yes. You will be required to follow the degree requirements in effect at the time you enter the major officially, even though the former requirements were in effect when you entered Penn State and were a pre-major student or a student in another major.
How does this impact my starting at one campus and finishing my HDFS degree at University Park?
This change has no effect on where you began your educational career as a Penn State student. The determining factor is when you officially became an HDFS major. If you were accepted into the major beginning Summer 2006 semester or any subsequent semester, you must follow the new degree requirements for either the Life Span Human Services option or the Life Span Developmental Sciences option.