Brian Dietz and Troy Hartsock each worked at Case New Holland, a farm equipment manufacturer, for nearly twenty years before the factory was slated to close. They decided to train for new careers as nurses at the Penn State Learning Center in Lewistown. As Brian said, “I’ve always been interested in doing something where I could make a difference. Being a nurse is what I want to do. I’m glad I made this decision.”
If you are ready to make a difference and help people improve their lives, the associate degree program in human development and family studies can introduce you to the functions of human services, such as family counseling, and other related professions.
This program’s objective is to offer:
If you are already employed in a human services-related field and need professional development, this program provides the flexibility you need to maintain your work and family responsibilities. You can also choose from two areas of focus for your career advancement and personal enrichment:
Adult Development and Aging Services Option
This option can help to prepare you for a wide variety of service roles in:
Emphasis is placed on the biological, psychological, and social development of adults and the elderly, with a special focus on the contexts of adult development, including work and family. An approved field experience in any of a wide variety of settings that serve adults, the aged, and their families, is required for this option.
Children, Youth, and Family Services Option
This option is designed for persons who want to work with various age groups in:
An approved field experience in a children, youth, or family services setting is required for this option. The program offers a flexible and convenient opportunity for self-enhancement, higher education, and professional development.
Adult Development and Aging Option, Suggested Academic Plan
Adult Development and Aging Option, Curriculum Check Sheet
Children Youth, and Family Studies Option, Suggested Academic Plan
Children Youth, and Family Studies Option, Curriculum Check Sheet
General Education: 21 credits
(Of these 21 credits, 15 are included in the requirements for the major.)
Electives: 0–3 credits
Requirements for the major: 51–55 credits
(This includes 15 credits in General Education: 6 credits of GWS courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 3 credits of GN courses; and 3 credits of GQ courses.)
Prescribed Courses: 21 credits
CAS 100 (GWS) Effective Speech (3 credits)
ENGL 015 (GWS) Rhetoric and Composition (3 credits)
HD FS 129 (GS) Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies (3 credits)
HD FS 301 Values and Ethics in Health and Human Development Professions (3 credits)
HD FS 395 Field Project: Independent Study in a Human Services Program (6 credits)
PSY 002 (GS) Psychology (3 credits)
Additional Courses: 9–10 credits
EDPSY 101 (GQ) Analysis and Interpretation of Statistical Data in Education (3 credits), STAT 100 (GQ) Statistical Concepts and Reasoning (3 credits), or STAT 200 (GQ) Elementary Statistics (4 credits)
HD FS 315 (US) Family Development (3 credits) or SOC 030 (GS) Sociology of the Family (3 credits)
BI SC 004 (GN) Human Body: Form and Function (3 credits), BIOL 055 (GN) Introduction to the Biology of Aging (3 credits), or BIOL 141 (GN) Introductory Physiology (3 credits)
Requirements for the Adult Development and Aging Option: 21 credits
Prescribed Courses: 6 credits
HD FS 249 (GS) Adult Development and Aging (3 credits)
HD FS 311 Human Development and Family Studies Interventions (3 credits)
Additional Courses (select 6 credits)
H P A 101 Introduction to Health Services Organization (3 credits)
HD FS 312W Empirical Inquiry in Human Development (3 credits)
KINES 060 Principles and Practices of Healthful Living (3 credits)
NUTR 251 (GHA) Introductory Principles of Nutrition (3 credits)
R P M 277 (US) Recreation for Persons with Disabilities (3 credits)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: 9 credits
Select 9 credits, in consultation with an adviser, from University-wide offerings that enhance competence in the option.
Requirements for the Children, Youth, and Family Services Option: 24 credits
Prescribed Courses: 9 credits
HD FS 229 (GS) Infant and Child Development (3 credits)
HD FS 239 (GS) Adolescent Development (3 credits)
HD FS 311 Human Development and Family Studies Interventions (3 credits)
Additional Courses (select 6 credits)
H P A 101 Introduction to Health Services Organization (3 credits)
HD FS 312W Empirical Inquiry in Human Development (3 credits)
KINES 060 Principles and Practices of Healthful Living (3 credits)
NUTR 251 (GHA) Introductory Principles of Nutrition (3 credits)
R P M 277 (US) Recreation for Persons with Disabilities (3 credits)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: 9 credits
Select 9 credits, in consultation with an adviser, from University-wide offerings that enhance competence in the option.
In the courses listed in BOLD, students enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.