Coordinator: Mary Jo Spicer
S-211 Henderson Building
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-8000
E-mail: mjs6@psu.edu
The certificate program for Children, Youth, and Family Services is designed to improve the quality of planned programs in a wide variety of community settings. It prepares students for service roles in preschools; day care centers; hospitals; institutional and community programs for emotionally disturbed, abused or neglected children and adolescents; as well as a variety of public welfare and family service agencies.
The primary goal of the certificate program is to provide a flexible and convenient opportunity for self-enhancement, further education, and professional development for those currently working or considering a career in human service settings.
The 30-credit program offers university credit courses through a flexible instructional program that considers a student's past experience, current employment, and future goals. Courses are required in three areas: Foundation Courses (9 credits), Professional Core (15 credits), and Professional Electives (6 credits).
Courses are available through Resident Instruction, Continuing Education, and World Campus. Based on evidence of earned credits or approved academic experiences at other accredited higher education institutions, certain course requirements may be waived and appropriate Penn State courses may be substituted for others in the 30-credit program. All substitutions or course waivers, however, must be approved by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.
Foundation Courses (9 credits):
ENGL 015 (GWS) or CAS 100 (GWS)
PSYCH 100 (GS) or SOC 001 (GS)
BIOL 141 (GN) or BI SC 004 (GN) or NUTR 251 (GHA)
Professional Core (15 credits):
HD FS 129 (GS), HD FS 229 (GS), HD FS 239 (GS), HD FS 311, HD FS 315 or 315Y (US)
Professional Electives (6 credits):
Select from FIN 108, HD FS 395, HD FS 216, HD FS 218, HD FS 330, BB H 101 (GHA) or KINES 060, PHIL 103 (GH) or PHIL 103W (GH) or HD FS 301