Mission

The mission of the Human Development Program at California State University, San Marcos is to promote a holistic and lifespan understanding of human development from multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives. We do so by actively engaging students in a learning experience which emphasizes the integration of several complementary and interdependent perspectives and disciplines. Students in the Human Development Program explore the complex interplay of body, mind, culture, and environment that shapes developmental processes and outcomes by surveying the subject matter from psychological, sociological, biological, and anthropological disciplinary perspectives. 

In support of this mission, the Human Development Program engages students in a challenging academic curriculum which combines traditional classroom learning with experiential learning opportunities in human development-related professions. In addition to completing required core coursework, each student completes six courses chosen from one of four concentrations: Health Services, Children's Services, Adult and Gerontological Services, and Counseling Services.  Courses within each of these concentrations have been selected to provide a solid educational foundation for students wishing to pursue careers in each of these arenas. Experiential learning is gained from field experience wherein students participate in community service learning activities related to their career and intellectual interests in human development and upper level applied research wherein students conduct research on a subject matter in human development of particular interest to them. These field activities are combined with classroom-based reflection exercises facilitated by Human Development faculty.  

Students with a Bachelor's degree in Human Development are qualified to work in a variety of settings related to providing services for others. These might include health care, child and adult care centers, community projects providing outreach to youth and adults, sales, service related government agencies such as housing, law enforcement and criminal justice, and assisting with community development, both in the United States and around the world. A Bachelor's degree in Human Development may also prepare students for graduate studies in marriage, family, and child counseling, social work, teaching, public administration, psychology, business or law. Students interested in these career opportunities should consult with advisers in appropriate areas before planning their programs. Finally, the Human Development major will prepare students for master's and doctoral level training in fields such as Sociology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, Women's Studies, Psychology and Human Development, among others.