Academic Information

Biobehavioral Health (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

This major provides interdisciplinary training designed to integrate biological, behavioral, and social science approaches to the study of human health and illness. Emphasis is placed on the study of physical health. The goal of this major is to help students become familiar with multiple perspectives, approaches, and methods needed to address and solve problems of human health and illness. Students may select supporting courses that will fulfill requirements for admission to graduate and professional programs. This major helps graduates prepare for entry-level jobs in a range of biomedical and health-related areas, including as research assistants, laboratory managers, biomedical product representatives, and in technical support positions in biomedical and health-related fields. This major also provides excellent preparation for advanced study in natural and social science disciplines and related professional areas such as epidemiology, public health, environmental health and safety, and human services.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Communication Sciences and Disorders (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

This major offers a comprehensive program of study for students preparing to become speech–language pathologists or audiologists. The curriculum is designed for the sole purpose of helping undergraduate students prepare for graduate study in communication sciences and disorders or related areas. State licensure laws and professional certifications require that a speech–language pathologist or audiologist must have a master’s degree, pass a national test, and complete a clinical fellowship year.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

This major prepares students for professional positions, recreation, parks, tourism, and related agencies. The Commercial and Community Recreation option emphasizes business and management practices and should appeal to students seeking employment in commercial venues (such as resorts and theme parks) or municipal, state, and federal government recreation agencies. The Outdoor Recreation option offers three tracks for students, including environmental interpretation, adventure-based recreation, and park management. This option prepares students for careers with environment-oriented agencies and businesses and in resource and facilities management. The Therapeutic Recreation option appeals to students interested in allied health. It prepares students to meet recreation-related needs of persons with disabling conditions. The Gold Management options features a strong business emphasis and prepares students to manage golf courses and related facilities. Playing proficiencies (i.e., handicap of 12 or lower) is required. The B.S. in Recreation and Park Management is offered by Penn State's College of Health and Human Development.

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Select this major on your application if you are interested in one of the majors in this college, but haven't yet decided which.

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Health Policy and Administration (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

This major helps students prepare for management and policy positions or graduate study in the field of health care. Students in the major develop the skills and knowledge needed to understand the complex societal problem of providing access to quality health care at reasonable cost. All HPA students complete an internship in a health care-related setting, giving them valuable experience and contacts in the industry. HPA students study a multidisciplinary curriculum that prepares them to work in many health care organizations including: health care providers; health insurers; health care consultants; health care supply companies; health services research and policy organizations; and local, state, and federal health agencies. HPA students have also used the degree to prepare for graduate study in business, law, medicine or allied health fields, health administration health services research or policy, and public health.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

This major helps provide preparation for management positions in hotels, restaurants, institutions, and other hospitality organizations. The program is designed to give the student a broad general education and a strong management and problem-solving orientation balanced with the requisite technical skills, all of them essential for career progression to upper-management positions in the hospitality professions. The program also helps students prepare for graduate study.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Human Development and Family Studies (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

This major is a multidisciplinary program that examines the development of individuals and families across the life span. It enables students to prepare for professional, managerial, or scientific roles in health and human services professions, in public and nonprofit agencies, and in business and industry, as well as for advanced professional or graduate study. Courses emphasize biological, psychological, social/cultural, and economic aspects of development. Through course work and undergraduate internships or research projects, students develop skills relevant to career objectives, such as counseling, human assessment, program planning and evaluation, and research. Two options are available within the major: Life Span Human Services and Life Span Developmental Science.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Kinesiology (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

Kinesiology offers a comprehensive program of study in the science of human movement and is designed for students who want to prepare for professions involving physical activity and for graduate study in related areas. Five options are offered: Athletic Training; Fitness Studies; Movement Science; Physical and Health Education; and Exercise Science.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Nursing* (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park, Altoona)

This major helps students prepare to become professional practitioners in areas of health promotion and maintenance, illness care, and rehabilitation. After earning a bachelor of science degree in Nursing, students are qualified to take the registered nurse examination for licensure by the State Board of Nursing. (College of Health and Human Development) Penn State Altoona offers a second degree program in Nursing designed for baccalaureate graduates in another major who elect to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students in this option complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in four (4) consecutive semesters, starting with the fall semester.
(School of Nursing)

* This program is accredited by The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, 212-363-5555; the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-463-6930; and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Nutritional Sciences (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

The study of nutrition incorporates human biology and biochemistry to understand how the body utilizes nutrients and related substances for optimal health. Students also gain an understanding of how nutrition and lifestyle relate to public health issues and the development of chronic and acute diseases. In the Applied Sciences option, students apply knowledge of nutrition and human behavior to improve the nutritional status of individuals and communities or apply nutrition principles and counseling skills to medical problems in clinical dietetics. Other emphases in this option are nutrition education and communications, nutrition and food science, and nutrition and exercise science. The Basic Sciences option emphasizes thel aboratory aspects of nutrition and is recommended for students preparing for laboratory-based research, graduate study, and medicine and related health careers such as dentistry, optometry, physician assistant, physical therapy, and chiropractic.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.

Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (Start at any Campus and Finish: University Park)

Through this program, students can prepare for supervisory and administrative positions in public or private agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. These include, but are not limited to, park systems, environmental centers, resorts, university intramural and sport club programs, event management businesses, recreation services for the armed forces, and therapeutic recreation programs in hospitals and health care facilities. Four options are offered: Commercial and Community Recreation Management, Golf Management, Outdoor Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation.
(College of Health and Human Development)

Please see the Basic Admissions Requirements page for more information about high school and transfer requirements.