Health and Human Development Majors

Examine the interaction between biological, behavioral, psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors that influence human health and wellness. This degree prepares students for careers in biomedical and health-related fields, as well as medicine, public health, environmental health and safety, or human services.

Learn more about Biobehavioral Health >>

Suggested minors for Biobehavioral Health majors

• Health Policy and Administration — Understand how organizations and policy affect individual and population health.
• Human Development and Family Studies — Add background in pediatrics, geriatrics, or family counseling for clinical or public health careers.
• Kinesiology — Prepare for graduate school in physical or occupational therapy, or focus on physical activity as a health determinant.
• Nutritional Sciences — Combine social understanding of health, genetics, or neuroscience with biological and community nutrition for careers in science or public health.
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management — Focus on the health and fitness aspects of national parks or community recreation programs.
• All minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.  

Help others overcome speech, hearing, language, and learning difficulties by understanding the basic sciences and processes related to communication, cognition, language-learning, special education, and linguistics.  This degree prepares students for careers working in hospitals, rehabilitation, centers, and public schools with children and adults with speech, language, and/or hearing disorders.

Learn more about Communication Sciences and Disorders >>

Suggested minors for Communication Sciences and Disorders majors

• Health Policy and Administration — Understand the business side of healthcare in hospitals, practices, and other clinical settings.
• Human Development and Family Studies — Work with developmental issues and family dynamics in speech-language and audiology careers.
• Kinesiology — Understand motor control issues related to speech and swallowing disorders.
• Nutritional Sciences — Understand how swallowing related to communication disorders is connected to nutritional challenges and related health issues.
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management — Focus on leading parks and recreation programs for individuals with speech and language disabilities.
• All Minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.  

Elevate health care delivery and quality with a focus on addressing ongoing and future challenges in health economics, health management, and the workforce at large.  This degree integrates business, liberal arts, and health sciences to prepare students for careers in healthcare administration, government delivery of healthcare, and improving access for under-served populations.

Learn more about Health Policy and Administration >>

Suggested minors for Health Policy and Administration majors

• Human Development and Family Studies — Connect to interests in pediatric hospitals, long-term care, or mental health organizations.
• Kinesiology — Manage orthopedic, physical therapy, or sports medicine businesses.
• Nutritional Sciences — Understand the science behind nutritional needs and how metabolic disorders are addressed at healthcare facilities.
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management — Connect mind, body, and health by understanding the benefits of time spent in nature.
• All Minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.  

Examine all aspects of business management in a wide variety of hospitality settings, including large, global hotel brands, restaurants and wineries, event and tourism venues, corporate meetings and convention centers, franchises, and start-ups and technology providers.

Learn more about Hospitality Management >>

Suggested minors for Hospitality Management majors

• Health Policy and Administration — Work with food and lodging for a hospital, long-term care facility, or other healthcare organization.
• Human Development and Family Studies — Deal with families visiting hotels and restaurants by bringing a strong human resources background.
• Kinesiology — Connect with sports management or physical activities at a hospitality or resort venue.
• Nutritional Sciences — Understand the nutritional focus of restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses.
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management — Work with food and lodging for a national park, recreational resort, or tourism destination.
• All Minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.

Learn how humans develop physically, emotionally, and socially throughout the lifespan.  This versatile degree provides a foundation for a variety of disciplines, including child and adolescent development, adult development and aging, biological aspects of human development, family studies, intervention research, and developmental research methods.  Coursework provides students with the knowledge and skills required to positively impact individuals, families, and communities, and prepares them for further study in social work, counseling, and teaching.

Learn more about Human Development and Family Studies >>

Suggested minors for Human Development and Family Studies majors

• Health Policy and Administration — Interact with health care managers and policy makers in non-profit and human services careers.
• Kinesiology — Examine how sports and physical activity play a role in development and family relationships.
• Nutritional Sciences — Support the nutritional needs of children and adolescents or assist non-profit organizations addressing nutritional challenges.
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management — Develop healthy leisure and recreational activities for healthy child development and adult aging.
• All Minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.  

Study physical activity, from the basic mechanisms of human movement to the complex dynamics of physical activity in our society and culture.  This degree prepares students to further pursue medical school or seek careers in physical and occupational therapy, K-12 health and physical education teaching, coaching, and athletic training.

Learn more about Kinesiology >>

Suggested minors for Kinesiology majors

• Health Policy and Administration — Connect healthcare business and policy to a career in orthopedics, physical therapy, or sports medicine.
• Human Development and Family Studies — Understand human development to complement the study of physical movement in children, adolescents, and older adults.
• Nutritional Sciences — Connect kinesiology to biomechanics or sports nutrition. 
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management — Work with physical activity and related programs in leisure and park facilities.  
• All Minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.  

Examine how food fuels living beings and how nutrition choices affect every facet of health over time with a foundation in chemistry, biology, physiology, psychology, neuroscience, behavior, and development.  This degree prepares students for careers as a registered dietitian nutritionist, nutrition or eating behavior researcher, sports nutritionist, or to pursue medical school.

Learn more about Nutritional Sciences >>

Suggested minors for Nutritional Sciences majors

• Health Policy and Administration — Understand finance, insurance, and other administrative and policy aspects in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Human Development and Family Studies — Work and communicate effectively with children, families, or older adults in schools or healthcare.
• Kinesiology — Emphasize both nutritional and physical activity wellness in a variety of settings, including collegiate or professional sports teams.
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management — Work in nutrition at public facilities, including national and community parks, resorts, and tourism destinations.
• All Minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.

Positively impact health and wellness through recreation, park, tourism, and leisure opportunities by examining the global impact of leisure on human development and health, as well as the effects of recreation and tourism on ecological, economic, and cultural systems.  This degree prepares students for careers in event and venue management, outdoor recreation and education, natural resource management, and professional golf management.

Learn more about Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management >>

Suggested minors for Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management majors

• Health Policy and Administration — Work in on-site healthcare at recreation and wellness facilities.
• Human Development and Family Studies — Develop community, commercial, or outdoor recreation programs for children, adolescents, or older adults.
• Kinesiology — Engage with clinical and exercise professionals at leisure and tourism facilities.
• Nutritional Sciences — Understand how community nutrition fits into community recreation or address nutritional needs or education in parks or wellness facilities.
• All minors — In addition to these suggested minors, there are other Health and Human Development minors and additional minors throughout Penn State.