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What is Health and Human Development?

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

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Career Areas by Major
Explore your future career possibilities in HHD

During college and after graduation, students and alumni of Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development (HHD) make things better — for others, for communities, for themselves. HHD students care about issues of health and wellness that make a real impact on people's lives, and they go on to careers that allow them to make a difference.

Take a moment and explore the variety of careers you can attain with a degree from Health and Human Development.

Explore Careers by Major

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Biobehavioral Health

Biobehavioral Health

The Biobehavioral Health program helps connect health to people’s lives. As a professional, you can work in a number of settings, including in the medical field, public health, private industry, and community health promotion.

Learn more about Biobehavioral Health
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Communication Sciences and Disorders

Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program is designed to prepare you to be a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. You can work in many different areas helping others with disorders and delays, such as fluency and stuttering, hearing problems, oral motor issues, or swallowing.

Learn more about Communication Sciences and Disorders
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Health Policy and Administration

Health Policy and Administration

The Health Policy and Administration program is designed to help you understand all aspects of health care. You can work in the health care industry, for private companies, or as a part of the government.

Learn more about Health Policy and Administration
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Hospitality Management

Hospitality Management

The Hospitality Management program is designed to help you become a leader within the hospitality industry. Your career may include running a restaurant, managing a resort, or overseeing food sales.

Learn more about Hospitality Management
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Human Development and Family Studies

Human Development and Family Studies

The Human Developmnent and Family Studies program is for those who want to help others. You may work as a social worker, a counselor, an human resources professional, or in the education field.

Learn more about Human Development and Family Studies
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Kinesiology

Kinesiology

The Kinesiology program is about the human body and the study of physical activity in the context of human health and well-being. You may work as a physical therapist, a fitness coach, or in the medical field as a nurse or doctor.

Learn more about Kinesiology
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Nutritional Sciences

Nutritional Sciences

The Nutritional Sciences program allows you to explore how to incorporate physiological and biochemical aspects of nutritional practices to improve health and wellness. Your career may include work in the food industry, the medical field, or as a registered dietician nutritionist.

Learn more about Nutrional Sciences
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Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management

Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management

The Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management program is focused on leisure and recreation in relation to people and the environment. You can work in a variety of settings, including travel and tourism, event planning, outdoor recreation, and the golf industry.

Learn more about Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
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To help prepare you for your career, the College of Health and Human Development has a variety of resources.