HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES (HD FS)

S-211 Henderson Building South
863-8000
Fax: 863-7963
hdfsugpic@psu.edu

Steven H. Zarit, Department Head
S-211 Henderson Building South
863-0241
z67@psu.edu

Chalandra Bryant , Professor-In-Charge, Undergraduate Program
S-211 Henderson Building South
863-8000
cmb34@psu.edu

L. Vanessa Wade, Undergraduate Adviser
S-211 Henderson Building South
863-8000
lvb1@psu.edu

Pamela D. Evock, Undergraduate Adviser
S-211 Henderson Building South
863-7964
pde1@psu.edu

Home Page: http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/hdfs

Penn State Altoona College (HFSAL)
Other Penn State Campuses (HFSCC): Penn State Delaware County, Penn State Dubois, Penn State Fayette, Penn State Mont Alto, Penn State Shenango Valley, Penn State Worthington-Scranton, Penn State York
Penn State University Park College of Health and Human Development (HD FS)

Apply online (www.psu.edu/dept/admissions/)

• Identify normal academic progress, course offerings, and recommended course sequencing;
• Assist students and advisers in planning academic schedules, registrars and departments in planning course offerings, and registrars and deans in determining when students should change campus;
• Help students to anticipate the academic workload and courses needed to earn a degree, and to schedule appropriate prerequisites;
• Serve as tools to help advisers learn the curriculum.

Recommended Academic Plan(s) - Associate Degree Programs

HD FS Adult Development and Aging option (2EHFS/ADA) at University Park

HD FS Children Youth and Family Services option (2EHFS/CYF)

Recommended Academic Plan(s) - Baccalaureate Programs

HD FS LSDS Recommended Academic Plan (UP)

HD FS LSHS Recommended Academic Plan (UP)

Degree Audit

HD FS LSDS Degree Audit

HD FS LSHS Degree Audit

Program Information

This major is a multidisciplinary program that examines the development of individuals and families across the life span. It enables students to prepare for professional, managerial, or scientific roles in health and human services professions, in public and nonprofit agencies, and in business and industry, as well as for advanced professional or graduate study. Students obtain a broad background in individual and family development across the life span. Courses emphasize biological, psychological, social/cultural, and economic aspects of development. Through coursework and undergraduate internships or research projects, students develop skills relevant to career objctives, such as counseling, human assessment, program planning and evaluation, and research.

Two options are available within the major:

(1) Life Span Human Services Option

This option focuses on the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge about
development and family functioning across the life span for the purposes of enhancing personal and family development. Courses emphasize: (1) understanding the biological, psychological, and social development across the life span, and the structuring and functioning of families; (2) understanding basic theoretical and methodological issues; and (3) the development of applied skills in intervention and evaluation, prevention, and in the formulation of social policy. An approved field experience in a setting that serves children, youth, adults, or the aged is required for this option. Typical employment settings include preschools, daycare centers, hospital programs for children, youth, and families, institutional and community mental health programs for individuals and families, programs for abused or neglected children and adolescents, women's resource centers, human resources programs, employee assistance programs, nursing homes, area agencies on aging and other community settings for older adults, and public welfare and family service agencies. Typical postgraduate pursuits of students completing this option include graduate study in human development, family studies, psychology, or sociology, or advanced professional training in psychology, law, behavioral health, counseling or social work.

(2) Life Span Developmental Science Option

This option focuses on the understanding of contemporary methodological approaches to the aquisition of scientific knowledge about individual development over the life span and about family development. This opinion provides preparation for advanced training in careers in developmental or family research, teaching at a college or university, or for professional careers that require graduate training. Courses within this option emphasize a thorough understanding of the theory and methods of developmental and family theory and research. An approved, multi-semester research practicum is an integral component of this option. Typical postgraduate pursuits of students completing this option include graduate study in human development, family studies, psychology, or sociology, or advanced professional training in psychology, law, behavioral health, social work, or in other programs related to services for individuals and families.

For a B.S. degree in Human Development and Family Studies, a minimum of 120 credits is required.

Entrance to Major Requirements

Career Opportunities

Internships

HD FS Honors Program

Clubs and Honor Societies

HD FS Undergraduate Student Organization (USO)

CHHD Honor Society is open to any undergraduate student in the College (with a 3.30 GPA or higher). Letters of invitation are sent to eligible students each fall. The Society has regular meetings throughout the year and sponsors a variety of service projects. For more information, please contact the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Outreach, 865-1427.

For more information on the Kappa Omicron Nu Honors Society please refer to the Kappa Omicron Nu national website or contact the local Omicron Tau Chapter.

For more information on the Phi Upsilon Omicron Honors Society, please refer to the Phi Upsilon Omicron national website or contact the local Phi Upsilon Omicron Chapter.

Job Outlook (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

SUPPORTING COURSES FOR THE HD FS MAJOR (all options)

• Courses on this supporting list are to be chosen carefully and thoughtfully. You should keep your career goals in mind and select courses that will strengthen your background toward those goals. Consultation with your adviser is recommended.
• Some of the courses on this supporting list have prerequisites. Make sure you meet the prerequisite(s) before registering for a course.
• Other courses may be taken in consultation with adviser; course substitution petition required
• www.hhdev.psu.edu/hdfs/undergrad/supporting_courses.html

Human Development and Family Studies Possible Career Tracks

A Sampling of Prospective Job Titles for HD FS Majors *