Human Development and Family Studies, Minor

At which campus can I study this program?

What is Human Development and Family Studies?

Students from many different majors benefit from the knowledge and experience they gain from HDFS courses. The minor in Human Development and Family Studies, one of the most popular minors at Penn State, helps students with a broad array of career aspirations understand human behavior. Students learn how people relate to one another and how to make a positive impact through the work they do. HDFS takes an interdisciplinary approach to helping students understand how individuals develop from birth to old age, how families, communities and workplaces influence individual development, and how they can apply this knowledge to develop, implement and evaluate programs designed to improve lives. The knowledge and skills gained through minoring in HDFS guides students to lead healthy, productive lives and excel in their careers. Whether you are studying business, education, nursing, communications, pre-health, pre-law, or a range of other fields, the HDFS minor has something to offer.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES

Program Requirements

Program Requirements
Requirement	Credits
Requirements for the Minor	18

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
HDFS 129	Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies	3
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 9 credits of HDFS courses		9
Select 6 credits of 400-level HDFS courses		6

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Melissa Wetzel, M.A., LPC, NCC
Academic Adviser, Human Development and Family Studies
119 Health and Human Development Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-8000
mup874@psu.edu

Altoona

Lauren P. Jacobson, Ph.D.
Teaching Professor, Human Development and Family Studies and Coordinator, Human Development and Family Studies Program
Hawthorn Building, 127
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
lpj100@psu.edu

Brandywine

Jennifer Zosh
Professor of Human Development and Family Studies
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610-892-1438
jmz15@psu.edu

DuBois

Sarah L. Pierotti, Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
235 Swift
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4833
slp5723@psu.edu

Fayette

Elaine Barry
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Human Development and Family Studies
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
724-430-4284
esb12@psu.edu

Harrisburg

A. Patricia Aquilera Hermida, M.F.T, D. Ed.
Associate Teaching Professor and Program Coordinator, Human Development and Family Studies
Olmsted Building W314
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6227
aua240@psu.edu

Mont Alto

Robin Yaure
Teaching Professor and Program Coordinator, Human Development and Family Studies & Psychology
112 Wiestling Hall
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6210
r2y@psu.edu

Scranton

Parminder Parmar, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Human Development and Family Studies
112E Dawson Building
120 Ridge View Drive
Dunmore, PA 18512
570-963-2530
prp104@psu.edu

Shenango

Roxanne Atterholt
Associate Teaching Professor and Program Coordinator, Human Development and Family Studies
147 Shenango Avenue
102 McDowell Hall
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2953
rxa32@psu.edu

World Campus

Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu

York

Amber Majeske, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Human Development and Family Studies
13 John J. Romano Administrative Building
York, PA 17403
717-771-4029
ajs49@psu.edu

Career Paths

Students from many different majors benefit from the knowledge and experience they gain from HDFS courses. The working knowledge and skillset one gains through minoring in HDFS is helpful for all kinds of students by guiding them to lead healthy and productive lives, to work well with others, and excel in their careers. A minor in HDFS is especially helpful if you are interested and passionate about improving the lives of individuals, families, and/or communities through the work you aspire to do.

Careers

HDFS is a great minor if you plan to pursue work in:

Health and human service professions
Early Childhood Development/Education settings
Program Administration and advocacy
Counseling, social work, or other direct service work
Program Administration, management, and other business careers
Human resources and organizational leadership
Public policy, equity, and advocacy
Research

Students minoring in HDFS are encouraged to customize their HDFS course selection to align with their specific interests.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

The HDFS minor, when combined with an appropriate major field of study, can provide useful preparation for graduate school in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. In recent years, HDFS students have pursued graduate studies in: