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Penn State - College of Health and Human Development
What is Health and Human Development?

Diverse fields of study that share one
common goal: enriching the lives of others.

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Human Development and Family Studies

Students, in a classroom, talking with residents from a local retirement village.

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Evaluating human biological, psychological, and sociological development across the lifespan

You might like this program if you

  • Are interested in human behavior, how people relate to one another, and the influence those relationships exert on all aspects of life.
  • Have a passion to improve the lives of individuals, families, or communities through your work.
  • Plan to pursue a career in an organization that values understanding individual and family development across the lifespan (e.g., counseling, education, health professions, business, and policy/advocacy).

Options

Life Span Human Services

This option focuses on enhancing personal and family development; for careers in: early childhood education, social services, human resources, public welfare, and family service agencies.

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Life Span Developmental Science

This option focuses on research into individual and family development; for careers in: post-graduate study for teaching at a college or university, developmental or family research, law, behavioral health, and social work.

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Types of classes you’ll take

  • Infant and Child Development
  • Adolescent Development
  • Adult Development and Aging
  • Prevention and Intervention
  • Ethics
  • Relationship Management Skills 
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Human Services Management

Possible careers

  • Human Services
  • Health Care
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Nonprofit Development and Fundraising
  • Education
  • Social Work
  • Research
  • Law
  • Business
Major
Minor
Student Profiles
Nittany Lion welcoming you with students in the background

Whatever your interests, whichever direction you want to go—business, science, medicine, healthcare, social science—the Penn State College of Health and Human Development has programs and options that lead to a future where you can do good work, and work while doing good.

Contact Chris Arbutina
Health and Human Development
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Biobehavioral Health Communication Sciences and Disorders Health Policy and Administration Hospitality Management Human Development and Family Studies Kinesiology Nutritional Sciences Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
About
Overview
History
Strategic Plans
Profiles
Employers and Industry
Donate
Undergraduate
Getting Started
Honors Programs
Advising
Student Profiles
Student Organizations
Financial Aid
Visit and Apply
Graduate
Degree Options
Faculty and Research
Student Council
Career
Funding
Visit and Apply
Alumni
Get Involved
Update Info
News and Events
Alumni Profiles
Magazine
Career Opportunities
Donate
Research
Expertise
Funding
Centers
Contact
Administration
Alumni Relations
Graduate
Social Media
Student Resource
Undergraduate
Departments
Biobehavioral Health
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Health Policy and Administration
Hospitality Management
Human Development and Family Studies
Kinesiology
Nutritional Sciences
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management