Advising | Penn State College of Health and Human Development

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Academic advising in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) is intended to help you get the most out of your academic career and set you on a path toward achieving your goals.

Utilizing Academic Advising

A full-time designated HDFS adviser is here to help you navigate course selection, interpret your academic record, and understand how HDFS can help you achieve your future goals.

If you are considering majoring or minoring in HDFS, the academic adviser is here to help. The adviser will review your academic record, listen to your future academic and career goals, and help you think about how HDFS might fit into those plans. These conversations will help you plan wisely as you complete your general education requirements and begin your HDFS studies. The adviser is also available to assist with the change of major process for students who wish to transfer into HDFS.

If you are already an HDFS major or minor, we encourage you to meet with an academic adviser every semester. Regular meetings help us get to know you and provide the best possible advice as you pursue your studies. Common items on the agenda at these meetings include:

choosing a degree option,
pursuing an optional emphasis area or a minor,
strategies for meeting degree and minor requirements (including supporting courses),
internship or research opportunities,
career planning,
strategies for gaining relevant work experience,
and graduate school.

Academic advisers are not financial aid advisers but can direct you to the best resources at Penn State to help you with financial planning.

Making an Appointment: To schedule an appointment with the HDFS academic adviser, please use the Starfish appointment scheduling system. If you are a current HDFS student, the academic adviser should be in your network. If not, use the “services” tab to the “University Park – College of Health and Human Development” from the list of university-wide college links. If you are not a current HDFS student, please come to walk-in advising hours, offered weekly. You may also email the academic adviser to ask your questions or find an alternative time to meet.

Walk-In Advising: Walk-in advising hours are available each week, but are subject to change based on adviser availability. Please check Starfish for available walk-in advising times and location before making the trip.

Walk-in advising times are 15-minute sessions intended to discuss brief questions or concerns. If you would like to have a longer conversation, please schedule an advising appointment. Students exploring HDFS may want to take advantage of walk-in advising.

When You Arrive: When you arrive for your scheduled appointment or walk-in advising hours, please use your nine-digit PSU ID to sign in at the kiosk in the main office in 119 HHD Building. (You will find the main office just inside the entrance facing the Old Main lawn closest to College Avenue.) Please have a seat and the academic advisor will come fetch you for your scheduled appointment.