- College of Education, Health and Human Services
- Human Development Department Welcome
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- Human Development Major
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Major Description
The Human Development major is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on human growth and development throughout the life span, and on the familial, social, cultural, and political networks in which individuals develop. Course offerings are drawn primarily from psychology, sociology, and biology, with electives available from many other programs offered at CSUSM. At CSUSM, the Human Development major is designed to prepare undergraduates to succeed in an increasingly diverse cultural, ethnic, economic, and political environment. Respect for those differences in the context of social services settings is an integral part of our program.
Admission and Degree Requirements
Each course counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. A minimum of eighteen (18) units counted toward the Human Development major must have been completed at California State University, San Marcos.
Academic Advising
In general, there are two types of academic advising that students have a need for. One of the most requested is knowing where they stand academically in terms of the number of courses they still need to take to complete their degree. For that you are asked to contact the Academic Advising Office at http://www.csusm.edu/academicadvising/advisorpages/silvia/.
You can also contact Registration and Records via telephone (760-750-4814). Any of these offices have access to your official academic record and can review your academic standing to date. They will also let you know if you need to see a faculty advisor regarding approval for course substitutions for non-articulated courses. The other form of academic advising is for more informal, yet important questions or information about such things as to what you can do with your degree in Human Development and which specialty area would best suit your career goals. For such advising, you can see the graduate peer advisor or you can see Dr. Fernando Soriano during his office hours (check on his office door at UNIV 312 to see a listing of those hours for the current semester).
Career Opportunities
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.
