What is Human Development?
Human Development is the exploration of factors that contribute to the development of people throughout the lifespan. The goal of this study is to optimize factors that allow people to lead long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. By studying sociological, emotional, behavioral, biological, and psychological factors, human development students can learn to navigate the needs of individuals, groups, and organizations to positive and beneficial outcomes.
A field that encompasses a variety of disciplines—including Biology, Anthropology, History, Genealogy, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Religion, etc.—Human Development understands growth to be a multifaceted process that can elicit positive or negative change depending on the conditions in which they occur. Taking into account growth and development at various life stages, the field of Human Development examines a wide range of subjects—including public policy, health, education, law, business organization, wealth, and culture.
Interested in developing a career in this field? Pursue a Human Development degree.
Why choose a Human Development degree program at Pacific Oaks?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth for many of these fields—including Social and Community Service Managers, Human Resource Management, and Social Work—is expected to grow faster than average.
Pacific Oaks’ Human Development graduate and undergraduate degree programs introduce the sociological, emotional, biological, and psychological factors that contribute to an individual’s development. Our unique perspective focuses on how culture and systems of oppression impact development.
Students will explore the implications those factors have on an individual’s skills and developmental milestones such as problem-solving, language acquisition, personality and identity formation, and social and emotional maturation. With an emphasis on confronting bias and injustice in all its forms, Pacific Oaks unique learning experience focuses on preparing students to make a positive impact in the world. Students in the classroom help generate emergent curriculum and voice their unique perspective. Equipped with the shared experiences of classmates from diverse cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, our Human Development graduate and undergraduate degree program graduates are prepared to bring social justice, advocacy, and respect for diversity and individualism to a variety of careers focused on the development of both children and adults.
Careers in Human Development
Graduates from Human Development graduate and undergraduate degree programs have found work in various industries, including for-profit, nonprofit, business, education, healthcare, and global organizations. Some roles include:
- Organizational Consultant
- Human Resources (HR)
- Executive Coach
- Child Care
- Social Service
- Instructor
- Administration
- Supervisor
- Grassroots Organizers
- Community Activists
- Child Welfare Workers
Click here to view the B.A. Human Development Information Session Video
Click here to view the M.A. Human Development Information Session Video
During these recordings of information sessions you’ll see how a B.A. or an M.A. in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College can help your career and provide you with real-world experience to demonstrate to current and future employers your ability to make a difference in the culture of organizations and communities. During these sessions participants heard examples of the types of fieldwork students have completed as well as answers to their questions from Dr. Carlene Fider, Core Faculty, School of Human Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have additional questions about the human development graduate and undergraduate programs at Pacific Oaks, visit our FAQ page where our faculty and admissions team have provided answers to some commonly asked questions.