This major integrates practical and academic experiences to provide the student with entry-level professional competence in the human service field. The objective of the major is to offer a general education background, a knowledge base in life span and family development, and a core of professional skills that may be applied in program planning and service delivery activities. The major is offered part-time, in the evening, and through independent learning.
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Adult Development and Aging Services Option: This option is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of service roles in mental health facilities, nursing homes and other institutions for the aged, area agencies on aging, public welfare and family service agencies, women's resource centers, human relations programs, employee assistance programs and customer services and consumer relations programs in business and industry. An improved 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 to prepare students for service roles in preschools; daycare centers; hospitals; institutional and community programs for emotionally disturbed, abused or neglected children and adolescents; as well as a variety of public welfare and family service agencies. An approved field experience in a children, youth, or family services setting, is required for this option.
For the associate in science degree in Human Development and Family Studies, a minimum of sixty credits is required.
Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)
GENERAL EDUCATION: 21 credits
(15 of these 21 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)
ELECTIVES: 0-3 credits
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 51-55 credits
(This includes 15 credits of General Education courses: 6 credits of GWS courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 3 credits of GN courses; and 3 credits of GQ courses.)
COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR (ALL OPTIONS): 30-31 credits
PRESCRIBED COURSES (21 credits)
ENGL 015 GWS(3), HD FS 129 GS(3)[1], HD FS 301(3)[1], PSY 002 GS(3), SPCOM 100 GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
HD FS 395(6) (Sem: 3-4)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (9-10 credits)
EDPSY 101 GQ(3)[1], STAT 100 GQ(3)[1], or STAT 200 GQ(4)[1] (Sem: 1-2)
HD FS 315 DF(3)[1] or SOC 030 GS(3) (Sem: 3-4)
BIOL 141 GN(3), BIOL 055 GN(3), or BI SC 004 GN(3) (Sem: 3-4)
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OPTION: 21-24 credits
ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING SERVICES OPTION: 21 credits
PRESCRIBED COURSES (6 credits)
HD FS 249GS(3)[1], HD FS 311(3)[1] (Sem: 1-4)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (6 credits)
Select 6 credits from HD FS 312W(3)[1], H P A 101 GS(3), KINES 060 GHS(3), NUTR 251 GHS(3), RPM 277 DF(3) (Sem: 1-4)
SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (9 credits)
Select 9 credits in consultation with the adviser from University-wide offerings that enhance competence in the option (Sem: 3-4)
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILY SERVICES OPTION: 24 credits
PRESCRIBED COURSES (9 credits)
HD FS 229 GS(3)[1], HD FS 239 GS(3)[1], HD FS 311(3)[1] (Sem: 1-4)
ADDITIONAL COURSES (6 credits)
Select 6 credits from HD FS 312W[1], H P A 101 GS(3), KINES 060 GHS(3), NUTR 251 GHS(3), RPM 277 DF(3) (Sem: 1-4)
SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (9 credits)
Select 9 credits in consultation with the adviser from University-wide offerings that enhance competence in the option (Sem: 3-4)
[1]A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
Request Information About Penn State Altoona's A.S. Degree in HDFS
Current Students
Contact Lauren Jacobson, the HDFS Degree Program Coordinator, or reach out to any of our HDFS faculty and staff.
Prospective Students
Interested in majoring in the A.S. in HDFS program at Penn State Altoona? Fill out the form below, and a member of our Admissions team will contact you.
