Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies is a 120-credit program that explores family development and life span. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop interventions that improve people's lives.

Program Details

• The program is designed to help students understand how individuals develop from birth to old age, how families and communities influence these processes, and how to apply this knowledge to develop interventions.
• Students will complete an internship alongside their online course work, which provides hands-on experience in a human service organization.
• The program is highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report and is a great way to prepare for graduate school or advanced clinical training in the social, behavioral, and health sciences.

Admission Requirements

• To apply for this program, students must be high school graduates or have completed their GED.
• Students must submit their high school transcripts or GED transcript, as well as official college or university transcripts and/or official military transcripts (if applicable).
• English proficiency is required, and international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET).

Curriculum

• The program includes a range of courses, such as Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies, Values and Ethics in Health and Human Development Professions, and Human Development and Family Studies Interventions.
• Students will also complete an internship, which provides hands-on experience in a human service organization.
• The program includes a comprehensive curriculum with online courses that cover human services and diverse populations, allowing students to gain an understanding of human development across the life span.

Career Opportunities

• Graduates of the program can pursue careers in a variety of fields, including social services, child development, child welfare, family resource coordination, elder care, and youth services.
• The program provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop interventions that improve people's lives, making it an excellent choice for those who want to make a difference in their communities.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which students register and the number of total credits they have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
• The program offers financial aid, scholarships, and payment options to help students fund their education.
• Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents may be eligible for military education benefits and financial aid opportunities.

Faculty

• The program is taught by experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields.
• Faculty members include Dr. Shannon A. Corkery, Dr. Megan Baril, Dr. Joanna Bissell-Havran, and Dr. Elizabeth Cipriano Essel, among others.
• The faculty members are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education and helping them achieve their career goals.

Internship

• The internship is a required part of the program and provides students with hands-on experience in a human service organization.
• Students will work closely with their adviser to plan the path most appropriate for them and to identify internship experiences that help support their career goals.
• The internship consists of preparatory course work, fieldwork, and reflective assignments and academic projects to help students learn from their experiences and connect their hands-on work with their academic knowledge.

Additional Credential

• The program offers an additional credential, the Associate in Science in Human Development and Family Studies, which can be earned along with the degree in less time than if earned separately.
• The associate degree program prepares students for a rewarding career that makes a difference in people's lives and provides entry-level professional skills for a variety of careers in human service professions.

Pace

• The program allows students to set their own pace, with many students taking one or two courses per semester.
• Students can finish their degree in two to three years, three to four years, or five or more years, depending on their course load and schedule.

Online Format

• The program is offered in a convenient online format, giving students the flexibility to study around their busy schedules.
• The online learning environment offers the same quality education that students experience on campus, with the same caliber of academic quality that is associated with Penn State.

Application Instructions

• To apply for the program, students must create a Penn State login account and complete the online application.
• Students must submit their application, application fee, and all required materials by the appropriate deadline.
• The application consists of six sections, including Application Setup, Program of Study, Citizenship and Residency, Academics and Experience, Miscellaneous, and Review and Submit.

News

• Penn State has been featured in U.S. News' 2025 'Best Online Programs' rankings.
• The College of Health and Human Development has named its fall 2024 college marshal.
• The Family Life Educator credential endorsements expand career opportunities for graduates of the program.

Disclosures and Policies

• The program is subject to the accessibility, nondiscrimination, and privacy policies of Penn State.
• The program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
• The program is copyrighted by The Pennsylvania State University.