Patrick Nickoletti, Ph.D.
Dr. Nickoletti believes knowledge is socially constructed; a tradition of sharing ideas that's as old as humanity. He comments, "We all have the potential to learn from and contribute to this sharing."
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Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)
Welcome to the department of Human Development and Family Studies.
This department combines several graduate and undergraduate programs which focus on understanding development over the life span, from childhood to old age, within the context of family, culture and society.
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers the following programs:
- An undergraduate major and minor in Child Study
- An undergraduate major in Family Studies
- An undergraduate minor and certificate in Gerontology
- A graduate certificate or Master of Arts in Human Development/Gerontology
For more information contact:
Vivian Carlson, Ph.D.
Department Chair
860.231.5341
vcarlson@sjc.edu
HDFS programs
The Human Development and Family Studies Department includes interdisciplinary programs focused on the development of human service professionals who are effective collaborators, dedicated to compassionate service in the context of best practices in their respective fields.
Undergraduate Majors
Undergraduate majors include child studies and family studies. All undergraduates are required to complete two semesters of field study and internship experiences in child-centered, family-centered, and/or advocacy agencies. Integration of classroom knowledge and real-world experiences is the key aspect that differentiates HDFS from more traditional academic majors. HDFS undergraduates also complete final collaborative action research and advocacy projects during their senior capstone seminar. Thus, our majors graduate with the collaborative, communication, presentation, and integrative skills highlighted by human resource professionals as necessary skills for the 21st century workforce.
Graduate Programs
Graduate certificates are available in the field of gerontology. Additional certificates in early care and education administration and at-risk adolescence are in the planning stages. HDFS graduate certificates may be combined with 5 core HDFS graduate courses to complete a master's degree program in Human Development & Family Studies with a concentration in the certificate area.
Danielle Desjardins '10"I chose Saint Joseph College because of its reputation of instilling strong values and educating accomplished, focused women."
