family study

Associate in Science in
Human Development and Family Studies

Program summary

Prepare for a social work career that makes a difference in people's lives. This online associate degree program explores family development and life span and can provide you with the entry-level, professional skills you need for a variety of careers in human service professions.

Application deadline

Apply by June 30 to start August 21

Credits and costs

60 Credits $620/$664 per credit

Continue to Work and Earn an Online Associate Degree in Human Development and Family Studies

The Associate in Science in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) integrates practical and academic experiences to provide you with entry-level, professional competencies in the human service fields. The course work can help you gain a foundational understanding of life span and family development, and a core of professional skills that you can apply in program planning and service delivery. The online HDFS program can help you get a degree without ever setting foot on campus.

The associate degree in HDFS can also serve as a stepping-stone to further education if you wish to work as a counselor or social worker. Many graduates go on to earn an HDFS bachelor's degree; some eventually enroll in graduate school.

Why an HDFS Degree Online at Penn State?

Two Options — These options were created to give you a choice so you can focus on an aspect of human development and family studies that best meets your career goals:

  • The Adult Development and Aging Services option can prepare you for a wide variety of service roles in mental health facilities, or nursing homes and other institutions for the aged. It focuses on the biological, psychological, and social development of adults and elderly persons, with special emphasis on the various contexts of adult development, including work and the family.
  • The Children, Youth, and Family Services option is an ideal choice if you want to work with various age groups in centers, institutions, and agencies. The program's ultimate goal is to improve the quality of planned services for families from varied backgrounds and community settings.

Applied Learning — This may be an online degree, but preparing for a human services career requires experience working in the field with real people. HDFS students complete an internship at a human service organization in their community. Real-world experience will help you build professional networks, establish references, and reflect on what you have learned in the classroom.

Quality — This program was developed in Penn State's Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Health and Human Development at University Park.

Who Should Apply?

The associate degree in HDFS offers an excellent professional development opportunity if you already work in a human service–related field; it also serves as an appropriate entry point if you aspire to work in human service–related occupations.

Courses

The associate degree in human development and family studies offers an excellent professional development opportunity for those who already work in a human service–related field, but additionally serves as an appropriate entry point for those who aspire to human service–related occupations. This program integrates practical and academic experiences to provide the student with entry-level, professional competence in the human service fields. The objective of the major is to offer a general education background, a knowledge base in life span and family development, and a core of professional skills that may be applied in program planning and service delivery activities. Students can choose from two areas of focus.

Prescribed Courses (21 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to speech communication: formal speaking, group discussion, analysis and evaluation of messages.

    • GWS

      The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Writing/Speaking (GWS) requirement.

  • 3
    credits

    An intensive, rhetorically based experience in reading and writing that will prepare you both to understand the communications that surround you and to succeed in your own communication efforts.

    • Prerequisite

      ENGL 4 or satisfactory performance on the English placement examination

    • GWS

      The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Writing/Speaking (GWS) requirement.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to psychosocial and family development at all stages of the individual and family life cycle.

    • GS

      This course can be used to satisfy the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement.

  • 3
    credits

    Examines bases for choices among values in personal and professional relations in human development processes and supporting services.

  • 6
    credits

    Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.

    • Note

      This is a two-semester internship sequence. In the first semester, students complete HD FS 395.1 (3 credits) to secure and prepare for an internship. In the next semester, students take HD FS 395.2 (3 credits), which combines 160 hours of hands-on work at a human service organization with an academic component.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to general psychology; principles of human behavior and their applications.

    • GS

      The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement.

Additional Courses (select 9–10 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      A general survey of structure and function — from conception, through growth and reproduction, to death.

      • Note

        Students who have passed BIOL 129 and BIOL 141 may not schedule this course.

      • GN

        This course can be used to satisfy the Natural Sciences (GN) requirement.

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Examination of human aging from a biological perspective. Population demographics, physiological and pathological changes, and healthy lifestyles are discussed. Students who have passed BIOL 409 may not schedule this course.

      • GN

        This course course may be used to satisfy the Natural Sciences (GN) requirement.

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Normal structure and function of the animal body, with special emphasis on human body systems.

      • Note

        Students who have passed BIOL 472 may not schedule this course.

      • GN

        This course can be used to satisfy the Natural Sciences (GN) requirement.

    • 3
      credits

      An introduction to quantitative methods in educational research emphasizing the interpretation of frequently encountered statistical procedures.

      • GQ

        This course can be used to satisfy the Quantification (GQ) requirement.

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Introduction to the art and science of decision-making in the presence of uncertainty.

      • GQ

        This course can be used to satisfy the Quantification (GQ) requirement.

    • or:
      4
      credits

      Descriptive Statistics, frequency distributions, probability and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

      • Prerequisite

        Placement into MATH 021 or higher.

      • GQ

        This course can be used to satisfy the Quantification (GQ) requirement.

    • 3
      credits

      Family functions over the life course; family from a multidisciplinary perspective, emphasizing adaptation and change.

      • Prerequisite

        HDFS 129; 3 credits in social, behavioral, or human biological sciences

      • US

        The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the United States Cultures (US) requirement.

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Family structure and interaction; functions of the family as an institution; cross-cultural comparisons.

      • GS

        The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement.

Option Courses (6–9 credits)

Adult Development and Aging Services Option Prescribed Courses (6 credits)

This option is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of service roles in mental health facilities, nursing homes and other institutions for the aged, area agencies on aging, public welfare and family service, women's resource centers, human relations programs, employee assistance programs, and customer services and consumer relations programs in business and industry. An approved field experience in any of a wide variety of settings that serve adults, the aged, and their families is required for this option (HD FS 395).

  • 3
    credits

    Physiological, psychological, and social development and intervention from young adulthood through old age.

    • GS

      This course can be used to satisfy the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement.

  • 3
    credits

    Survey of individual and family formal and informal intervention efforts; historical and current perspectives and approaches.

    • Prerequisite

      HDFS 129

Children, Youth, and Family Services Option Prescribed Courses (9 credits)

This option is designed to prepare students for service roles in preschools; daycare centers; hospitals; institutional and community programs for emotionally disturbed, abused, or neglected children and adolescents; and a variety of public welfare and family service agencies. An approved field experience in a children, youth, or family services setting is required for this option (HD FS 395).

  • 3
    credits

    Theory, research, and methods of social/behavioral/biological sciences related to developmental processes and intervention during infancy and childhood.

    • GS

      This course can be used to satisfy the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement.

  • 3
    credits

    Social, behavioral, and biological development and intervention throughout adolescence.

    • GS

      This course can be used to satisfy the Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) requirement.

  • 3
    credits

    Survey of individual and family formal and informal intervention efforts; historical and current perspectives and approaches.

    • Prerequisite

      HDFS 129

Supporting and Related Courses (select 15 credits)

You should consult with your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill degree requirements from the HD FS supporting course list, as some courses not listed may be taken to fulfill degree requirements in this category.

General Education Requirements

Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 3 credits
  • Quantification (GQ): 3 credits
  • Any General Education course, including Integrative Studies (Inter-domain or Linked courses): 3 credits
  • United States Cultures (US), or International Cultures (IL) or combined designation (US; IL): 3 credits
    May be satisfied by designated courses that also meet other degree or General Education requirements.
  • Writing Across the Curriculum (W, M, X, Y): 3 credits
    May be satisfied by designated courses that also meet other degree or General Education requirements.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Costs and Financial Aid

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2022–23 Academic Year Rates

How many credits do you plan to take per semester? If you have 59 or fewer credits If you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer $620 per credit $664 per credit
12 or more $7,527 per semester $8,125 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

How to Apply

Deadlines and Important Dates

Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.

  • Fall DeadlineApply by June 30 to start August 21
  • Spring DeadlineApply by October 31 to start January 8
  • Summer DeadlineApply by March 15, 2024, to start May 13, 2024

New students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 1. Please visit the Office of Student Aid website for more information about applying for financial aid and recommended deadlines.

Admissions Help

Thank you for your interest in applying to this program. Contact an admissions counselor to discuss your educational goals, financial aid options, and application deadlines.

Admission Requirements 

To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate or have completed your GED. 

What You Need

Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need the following items to complete your application:

High school transcripts or GED transcript — First-year applicants are required to submit Self-Reported Academic Records (SRAR). Official high school transcripts will only be required at the time a student accepts an offer of admission to Penn State.

Official college or university transcripts, if you attended another institution, and/or official military transcripts (if applicable) — All college or university transcripts are required regardless of the length of time that has passed, the grades earned, or the accreditation of the institutions attended. Acceptance of transfer credit toward your degree is subject to final approval by the academic department. For detailed information, see the Transfer Students page.

Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Please send your transcripts by mail or electronically through Parchment, eScrip-Safe, or the National Student Clearinghouse directly to Penn State from the college/university where course work was attempted.

Submit official documents by mail to:

Undergraduate Admissions Office
The Pennsylvania State University
201 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802

English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Language Proficiency section on the Undergraduate Admissions International Requirements page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

Start Your Application

Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

If this is your first time applying to Penn State, you'll need to complete the following steps:

  1. Review the application instructions before beginning.
  2. Complete the online application and submit all official documents.
  3. Pay the application fee.

Checking Your Status

You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form and choosing "MyPennState — Check Application Status." Your decision letter (confirming your acceptance or denial) will be mailed four to six weeks after receipt of all application materials. An admissions counselor will contact you if additional information is required.

Technical Requirements 

Review the technical requirements for this degree program.

Ready to Learn More?

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State associate degree?

Apply by June 30 to start August 21. How to Apply

Start or Advance Your Career

A group of educators collaborating as they review documents at a table

With an associate degree in HDFS, you can work in the human services field, promoting health and preventing social and mental health problems for children, youth, and families as well as for adults and the elderly. You can also use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.


Job Titles Related to This Degree

The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

  • Community Organization Worker
  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Pre-K Teacher)
  • Social Services Assistant
  • Teacher Aide

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary

5%
employment growth (10 years)
1,187,270
total employment

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

15.1%
employment growth (10 years)
391,670
total employment

Social and Human Service Assistants

12.5%
employment growth (10 years)
398,380
total employment

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

Student having a virtual meeting on a laptop with a career counselor

From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

A Head Start toward a Bachelor’s Degree

A figure standing halfway up a set of stairs leading towards a graduation cap

Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor's Degree You Can Earn Credits toward in This Program

The applicable credits that you earn to complete our associate degree are transferable to the following bachelor's degree, if you decide to further your education:

Learn how individuals develop from birth to old age, how families and communities influence these processes, and how to apply this knowledge to develop interventions that improve people’s lives through hands-on course work in this online Bachelor of Science degree program.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies  

Internship

An internship, which will provide practical experience and can be completed in your community, is required for this degree.

As a Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) student, you will be required to complete an internship during your final year of study. You will work closely with your adviser to plan the path most appropriate for you.

The internship consists of preparatory course work, fieldwork, and reflective assignments and academic projects to help you learn from your experiences and connect your hands-on work with your academic knowledge.

Internships Help Students Meet Career Goals

Internship experiences are essential in most human service fields and can help you:

  • gain practical, hands-on work experience
  • observe professionals
  • connect what you learn in your courses to real-world settings
  • transition more easily from school to your field of interest
  • build a professional network
  • earn the work references you will need to get a high-quality job

Internships can also be valuable to people who already work in the field, by providing opportunities to train in new departments or move up to higher-level responsibilities.

Where to Find Internship Opportunities

Our current students intern at a range of organizations representing the diversity of fields that HDFS graduates enter. Common internship sites include:

  • day care centers
  • schools
  • mental health organizations
  • nonprofit groups
  • human resources departments

HDFS and advising staff are happy to discuss your interests and help you think about appropriate internship sites. Additionally, all students take a "pre-internship" course in which an instructor guides you through the process of negotiating an internship. 

Internship Requirements

During the semester prior to enrolling in an internship, all students must complete a pre-internship course designed to guide them through the process of preparing a résumé, identifying potential internship sites, negotiating internship tasks and expectations, and designing an internship that is approved by the department. Then, during the internship semester, students are required to be on-site at a human service organization each week for a designated number of hours. During this time, students are also enrolled in course work designed to promote reflective learning.

The table below provides an overview of the internship requirements for the associate degree, the bachelor's degree, and the associate-to-bachelor's degree path.

Hours and Courses Required
Degree On-Site Hours Required Courses Required
Associate Degree

160 hours

(11–12 hours per week during the spring or fall, or 13–15 hours per week during the summer)

  • 3 credits of HDFS 395.1 to identify and prepare for the internship (during the second-to-last semester)
  • 3 credits of HDFS 395.2 for the internship (during the last semester)
Bachelor's Degree

480 hours

(32 hours per week during the spring or fall, or 40 hours per week during the summer)

  • 2 credits of HDFS 490 to identify and prepare for the internship (during the second-to-last semester)
  • 9 credits of HDFS 495A for the internship (during the last semester)
  • 3 credits of HDFS 495B for related course work (during the last semester, at the same time as HDFS 495A)
Associate Degree to Bachelor's Degree

480 hours total, split into:

160 hours for the associate internship
(11–12 hours per week during the spring or fall, or 13–15 hours per week during the summer)

and

320 hours for the bachelor's internship
(21–23 hours per week during the spring or fall, or 27–28 hours per week during the summer) 

  • 3 credits of HDFS 395.1 to identify and prepare for the internship 
  • 3 credits of HDFS 395.2 for the internship 

and

  • 2 credits of HDFS 490 to identify and prepare for the internship (during the second-to-last semester)
  • 6 credits of HDFS 495A for the internship (during the last semester)
  • 3 credits of HDFS 495B for related course work (during the last semester, at the same time as HDFS 495A)

How Can an Internship Work for Me?

While many students can fit internships into their lives, for some, doing so poses considerable challenges. If you have significant caregiving responsibilities, long work hours, or unpredictable work schedules, you may find it challenging to complete the internship requirements. You should carefully consider the internship requirements prior to enrolling in an HDFS degree program. As you think about your situation, here are some options to consider. 

  1. Students already working in a human service organization are sometimes able to intern at their workplaces provided that they are completing new or higher-level duties. For instance, a student working as a classroom assistant at a preschool could complete his internship at his school by training for and then moving into a lead teacher position. It is very important that students interested in this option discuss it with the HDFS internship coordinator and with their work supervisors before moving forward. Interested students may contact Ms. Terry Cummins, director of internships for HDFS World Campus, at [email protected] to discuss their options.
  2. Bachelor's degree students who are concerned they will be unable to complete the full-semester internship may — with advance planning — meet the requirement by first completing 160 internship hours required for the associate degree early in the bachelor's program (11–13 hours per week). Then, those hours and credits may be applied toward the bachelor's degree internship requirement, leaving 320 internship hours to complete during a student's final semester (22–25 hours per week). This is outlined in the table under the title "Associate Degree to Bachelor's Degree." Note: This can be a step-up sequence to pursue degrees or to complete internship requirements.

If you need more information to evaluate your readiness for completing the internship requirements for an HDFS degree, contact World Campus advising at 814-865-5403 or email Ms. Terry Cummins at [email protected] prior to enrolling in an HDFS program.  

Contact Us

To learn more about the Associate in Science in Human Development and Family Studies, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, please contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]

Faculty

  • Shannon A. Corkery

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona
    • Degree
      M.S., Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona
    • Degree
      B.S., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Psychology, Penn State

    Dr. Shannon A. Corkery is the director of the human development and family studies program for Penn State World Campus. In this role, she manages staffing, curriculum, student communications, and more. She instructs and has authored and co-authored numerous HDFS World Campus courses, including HDFS 301, 312w, 411, 433, and 455. Dr. Corkery coordinates with the resident HDFS program at Penn State University Park to uphold programmatic standards and plan strategic initiatives.

  • Megan Baril

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.A., Psychology, Wake Forest University

    Dr. Megan Baril is co-author and instructor of HDFS 129: Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies. Since receiving her doctorate, she has taught both online and in the classroom. Her research interests include exploring dynamics and processes within the context of families with adolescent offspring, the development of parental knowledge over middle childhood and adolescence, and associations between religiosity family processes, parenting, and parent-child relationship quality.

  • Joanna Bissell-Havran

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      Graduate Minor, Statistics, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.A., Psychology, Spanish, Lebanon Valley College

    Dr. Joanna Bissell-Havran is an assistant teaching professor of human development and family studies. She primarily teaches courses on research methods and child and adolescent development. Previously, she taught graduate-level courses on statistics and lifespan development and mentored dissertation students for Walden University. She also conducted research on adolescents' achievement motivation and sexual development.

  • Elizabeth Cipriano Essel

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.A., Psychology, University of Michigan

    Dr. Elizabeth Cipriano Essel is author and instructor of HDFS 428: Infant Development and co-author and instructor of HDFS 229: Infant and Child Development. Prior to becoming a Penn State World Campus instructor for HDFS, she completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Penn State, where she conducted research on the effects of maltreatment, parenting, and individual differences (i.e., temperament, physiology) on preschool children's self-regulation development.

  • Jennifer Crissman Ishler

    • Degree
      D.Ed., Higher Education Administration, Penn State
    • Degree
      M.S., Counseling and Student Affairs, Shippensburg University
    • Degree
      B.S., Elementary Education, Millersville University

    Dr. Jennifer Crissman Ishler, associate professor of teaching in HDFS, instructs first-year seminars and HDFS 311, 411, and 414 at Penn State University Park, where she also advises the College of Health and Human Development's Women's Leadership Initiative Program. Dr. Crissman Ishler also instructs HDFS 311 and HDFS 414 for Penn State World Campus. Additionally, she is the creator, author, and instructor of upper-level HDFS offerings available through Penn State and Penn State World Campus on adoption — practice, policy, and experience.

  • Teresa (Terry) Cummins

    • Degree
      Master of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.S., Recreation and Park Management, Concentration in Commercial Recreation and Tourism, Penn State

    Teresa (Terry) Cummins is director of HDFS Penn State World Campus internships and an instructor for the associate and bachelor's degrees' internship sequence: HDFS 395.1 and 395.2 and HDFS 490, 495A, and 495B. She works with students to identify internship experiences that help support their career goals and to apply their academic knowledge to hands-on learning experiences. Before joining HDFS, she was the director for diversity at the Smeal College of Business, where she mentored underrepresented students in their development of professionalism skills to obtain internships and full-time employment.

  • Meghan Sinton Miller

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
    • Degree
      B.A., Psychology, Biological Psychology Concentration, College of the Holy Cross

    Dr. Meghan Sinton Miller is the author and instructor of HD FS 429: Advanced Child Development. She has experience teaching a range of courses on child and adolescent development, and research interests that examine individual, family, peer, and cultural influences on child and adolescent body image and eating behavior.

  • Joel A. Muraco

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona
    • Degree
      M.S., Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona
    • Degree
      B.S., Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona
    • Degree
      B.A., English and Creative Writing, University of Arizona

    Dr. Joel A. Muraco teaches the Penn State World Campus course HDFS 250: Sexual Identity over the Lifespan. He also teaches online courses in family development, adolescent development, family policy, and human sexuality for the Human Development Department at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, where he was formerly assistant professor. He works full-time as a career educator at the University of Arizona.

  • Julie A. States

    • Degree
      Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, West Virginia University
    • Degree
      M.A., Community Counseling, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    • Degree
      B.S., Rehabilitation Counseling, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

    Dr. Julie A. States is instructor for the Penn State World Campus course HDFS 301: Values and Ethics in the Human Development Professions. She has also taught resident courses that include HDFS 301; HDFS 239: Adolescent Development;  and HDFS 414: Resolving Human Development and Family Problems.  Dr. States is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and maintains a private psychotherapy practice in State College. She was previously a staff psychologist at Counseling and Psychological Services at Penn State where she instructed the doctoral practicum class and coordinated the group program and the graduate assistant program.

  • Lester (Les) Weiss

    • Degree
      M.S.W., Social Work, University of Pittsburgh
    • Degree
      B.S.W., Social Work, University of Pittsburgh

    Lester (Les) Weiss is a social worker for the Veterans Administration in Bay Pines, Florida, and an instructor for HDFS 411: The Helping Relationship. He provides cognitive behavioral therapies for military veterans who have post-traumatic stress and trains clinicians in the VA system. He has also taught courses in adolescence, aging, and chemical dependency for Penn State World Campus. Prior to the working in the VA system, he was director of social work at UPMC Altoona for many years and served on numerous Blair County boards.


Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State associate degree?

Apply by June 30 to start August 21. How to Apply