Program Goals & Objectives

In addition to Penn State’s articulated general education goals, HDFS graduates will demonstrate the ability to:

  • Apply, analyze, critique, and integrate theories and concepts to demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of individual and family development across the lifespan in diverse contexts and changing environments.
  • Analyze, evaluate, and apply theory and research to practice and policy.
  • Analyze and critique processes, policies, and contextual factors that affect the delivery of human services to individuals and families. 
  • Apply understanding of field to recognize and demonstrate professional competence through appropriate professional behaviors characterized by ethical and culturally sensitive standards of conduct.
  • Integrate knowledge and skills to demonstrate in helping, leadership, and administrative human service skills.
  • Analyze, integrate, critique and apply theory and research on inequality and diversity to inform and engage in practice that reduces inequality and promotes equity, inclusion, and well-being for all people.

 

  • Goal 1:Understanding of the complexity of individual and family development across the lifespan in diverse contexts and changing environments.
    • Objective 1.1: Summarize, critique, and apply theories and concepts related to individual and family development from a multi-disciplinary, life-cycle perspective;
    • Objective 1.2: Articulate how biology, psychology, and history influence diversity in individual and family structures and functions in a social/cultural context.
  • Goal 2: Ability to evaluate and apply theory and research to practice and policy.
    • Objective 2.1: Demonstrate an understanding of the contribution of original research in human development.
    • Objective 2.2: Integrate and apply the findings of empirical research within a theoretical framework to human development;
    • Objective 2.3: Explain the strengths and weaknesses of various research methods in assessing human behavior;
    • Objective 2.4: Apply research skills in order to better understand in the use of research in agency practice;
    • Objective 2.5: Explain the process of planning and conducting research, including the role of the IRB;
    • Objective 2.6: Demonstrate skills to analyze and interpret data;
    • Objective 2.7: Apply theories to identify and resolve problems.
  • Goal 3:Ability to analyze processes, policies, and contextual factors that affect the delivery of human services to individuals and families.
    • Objective 3.1: Demonstrate knowledge of history and policies for ethical conduct in the delivery of human services;
    • Objective 3.2: Examine environmental factors shaping individual and family interventions (such as political, social, economic, cultural, and technological);
    • Objective 3.3: Demonstrate an understanding of community-based programs and services;
    • Objective 3.4: Understand and articulate individual and family needs and roles of human service organizations in fulfilling those needs;
    • Objective 3.5: Demonstrate knowledge of HIPAA regulations;
    • Objective 3.6: Develop a working knowledge of and ability to evaluate community-based programs and services
  • Goal 4: Professional ethical and culturally sensitive standards of conduct.
    • Objective 4.1: Articulate understanding of theories, skills, and competencies of an effective helper;
    • Objective 4.2:Demonstrate knowledge of the main ethical, legal, clinical, professional  and personal issues and challenges involved in the helping professions;
    • Objective 4.3:Demonstrate knowledge of informed consent for working with diverse groups of clients;
    • Objective 4.4:Understand and apply ethical decision making models;
    • Objective 4.5:Understanding how personal values and experiences influence one’s ability to make professional decisions;
    • Objective 4.6:Recognize stereotypical and prejudicial language and attitudes and their impact on the helping relationship.
  • Goal 5: Knowledge and competence in helping, leadership, and administrative human service skills.
    • Objective 5.1: Demonstrate knowledge about human resources in management and how to apply appropriate practices;
    • Objective 5.2:Demonstrate professional written and oral communication skills;
    • Objective 5.3:Demonstrate clinical and/or administrative abilities human service professionals must utilize in their practice with clients.  Skill areas to be focused upon include assessment, referral, intervention, and administrative skills;
    • Objective 5.4:Identify the different organizational needs of public, private-for-profits, and private-not-for-profit agencies.