Academic Departments
Biobehavioral Health Links to an external site.
This uniquely multi-faceted program — the first of its kind in the nation — examines the space where biological, psychological, environmental, cultural, and global factors converge to affect health and wellness across the entire human lifespan.
Department Head: Thomas J. Gould Links to an external site., Ph.D., Jean Phillips Shibley Professor of Biobehavioral Health
Communication Sciences and Disorders Links to an external site.
With a dual focus on clinical experiences and leveraging research to make a difference in people’s lives, Penn State's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders examines the challenges in human communication that cut across the lifespan and affect millions of people each day.
Department Head: Diane L. Williams Links to an external site., Ph.D. CCC-SLP, BCS-CL
Health Policy and Administration Links to an external site.
Our goal is to help elevate health care delivery and quality both in the United States and around the world, with a focus on addressing specific ongoing and future challenged in health economics, health management and the workforce at large.
Department Head: Christopher S. Hollenbeak Links to an external site., Ph.D., Professor of Surgery and Public Health Sciences
Hospitality Management Links to an external site.
With origins integrating a range of disciplines from business to home economics, this world-class field of study offers an engaging curriculum, hands-on research, and top-tier facilities, including an on-site full-service restaurant and state-of-the-art laboratories.
School Director: Donna Quadri-Felitti Links to an external site., Ph.D., Marvin Ashner Endowed Director and Associate Professor, School of Hospitality Management
Human Development and Family Studies Links to an external site.
One of the premier programs of its kind in the nation, Human Development and Family Studies provides a strong foundation in a variety of collaborative disciplines, including child and adolescent development, adult development and aging, biological aspects of human development, family studies, intervention research, and developmental research methods.
Department Head: Douglas M. Teti Links to an external site., Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of HDFS, Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics
Kinesiology Links to an external site.
The Department of Kinesiology in Penn State's College of Health and Human Development has built a long-standing reputation of excellence in the study of physical activity, from the basic mechanisms of human movement to the complex dynamics of physical activity in society as a whole.
Department Head: John B. Bartholomew, Ph.D., Professor of Kinesiology
Nutritional Sciences Links to an external site.
Solidly rooted in chemistry, biology, physiology, psychology, neuroscience, behavior, and development, our body of work covers the effects of nutrition at all levels, from the molecule to the organism, to the population at large. Our programs aim to nurture a new generation of leaders in bench and behavioral sciences who will push the limits of our understanding of nutrition as it relates to human health.
Department Head: Meg Bruening Links to an external site., Ph.D., Professor of Nutritional Sciences
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management Links to an external site.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management at Penn State strives to positively impact health and wellness through recreation, park, tourism, and leisure opportunities — often affectionately referred to by many as the aspirational “bucket list” activities of their lives.
Interim Department Head: Andrew J. Mowen Links to an external site., Ph.D., Head Professor and Professor-in-Charge of Honors Program of RPTM />