1. Human Development and Family Studies Bachelor of Science Degree
The Pennsylvania State University
W314 Olmsted Building
Harrisburg, PA

2. The Department of HDFS is committed to excellence in research, teaching, and service in lifespan human development within the family, community, and society.

3. HDFS uses an interdisciplinary approach to individual and family development across the lifespan.
The HDFS program at Harrisburg follows the same guidelines as the HDFS program at University Park.

4. HDFS students learn about development and families from many different points of view— including biology, psychology, and sociology.

5. We focus on child and adolescent development, adult development and aging, biological and social aspects of human development, family studies, intervention and prevention research, and developmental research methods.

6. Human Development and Family Studies
This comprehensive approach enables students to learn about how to promote normal development, real life problems, and about the different types of interventions that are possible.

7. HDFS

8. The HDFS program features many opportunities for learning, including research experiences with faculty and through an outstanding internship program.

9. How Does HDFS Differ From Psychology and Sociology?

10. How Does HDFS Differ From Psychology and Sociology?

11. How Does HDFS Differ From Psychology and Sociology?
Job skills
Hiring a HDFS graduate
Need for further education and training
Internship

12. HDFS Internship
The HDFS program strongly focuses on student preparation for internship.
Generally start preparing students in the first semester of Junior year.
The program stresses the internship as an extension of their coursework.
Students encouraged to strategically select their internship to suit their professional and/or graduate school goals.

13. HDFS Internships HDFS Internship include placements at:
Milton Hershey School
Diakon Lutheran Services
Mazzetti and Sullivan Counseling Services
Whitaker Center
Various child care centers
Hospice
Select Medical
Capital Blue Cross
YWCA
Victim Services of Cumberland County

16. HDFS Graduates
Our graduates work in a variety of human service related fields and settings
Child care
Juvenile justice
Human Service regulatory compliance
Schools
Counseling
Medical and Insurance
Research
Training and Technical Assistance
Human Service Administration

18. Our HDFS Graduates
is the 7th year of the HDFS Program at PSU Harrisburg.
Our first class graduated in Spring 2011.
The program has graduated 100 students; current enrollment is 75 declared majors.
About 25% of our graduates obtain jobs at their internship placements.
About 65% of the remaining students obtain work in an HDFS related position.
75% of Spring 2017 graduates had jobs in the HDFS field prior to graduation.

20. Our Faculty Barbara Carl, Ph.D. bec109@psu.edu
Program Coordinator
Principle Investigator of Capital Area Early Childhood Training Institute (CAECTI)
Research area: Child caregiver interaction; quality early care and education
Hannah Mudrick, Ph.D.
Research area: Adult/child negotiation; family systems
Patty Aguilera, Ph.D.
Research area: Aging adults; improving life quality of the elderly