Welcome to the
College of Health and Human Services!

The College of Health and Human Services is about people and helping them to live happier, healthier and safer lives.

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The College of Health & Human Services (CHHS) accounts for approximately 25% of the student enrollment of our nationally-leading student-centered university. CHHS degrees provide a quality, hands-on education that prepare students for careers upon graduation. Full-time undergraduate students can graduate within four years and graduate degrees can often be earned in two or less years.

Our faculty are nationally and internationally renowned for research and were prepared in the world's most prestigious institutions including our own highly rated UCs as well as Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard. CHHS Faculty are passionate educators and their classes are designed to provide practical learning experiences. Most students complete field work and/or internships as part of their degree program. Under the leadership of Dean Monica Lounsbery, CHHS is driving educational innovation to advance transformational learning through interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships.

Departments and Degree Options

Peruse the array of degree programs we offer across our eight departments and three schools. Click on the tab for each department to learn about the degree programs offered, their associated career fields, and the median annual wages individuals earn in those fields.   

The School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management (CCJEM) offers degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate candidates that prepare students to work in a variety of fields including: law enforcement, the courts, community and correctional institutions, and disaster recovery services. The criminal justice career sector is among the fastest growing in the United States. Learn more.

Students who puruse this degree have a passion for helping make communities safer by preventing, discovering, and investigating crimes and leading disaster recovery efforts. 

Median annual wage for Criminal Justice Workers

  • Criminologists (sociologists): $82,050
  • Corrections and bailiffs: $44,400 
  • Forensic science technicians: $58,230 
  • Police and detectives: $63,380 

The median annual wage for emergency management directors:

  • CA: $118,320
  • US: $74,420

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) offers degree programs for undergraduate and graduate candidates that prepare students to work in a variety of fields including: child and family studies, consumer affairs, family life education, fashion design, fashion merchandising, food science, nutrition and dietetics, gerontology, and hospitality management.

Students who pursue a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences have a passion for improving the lives of others by providing educational, preventative, and enrichment services in the community: Learn more

Natalie C. FCS Student
"Being a child development and family studies major has opened up a lot of doors for me. My goal is to get my master's degree and become a high school counselor." -Natalie, Family and Consumer Sciences student

Median annual wage for Hospitality Management workers: 

  • Foodservice: $54,240 CA
  • Lodging: $57,390 CA 
  • Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: $49,370 US

  • According to Payscale, the annual salary range for a Director of Hospitality is $36k - $97k plus bonuses ranging from $2k - $12k.

    Regional and corporate management positions have higher levels of salary depending on the scope of responsibilities.

Median annual wage for Fashion Design workers:

  • CA: $95,250
  • US: $72,720

Median annual wage for Child and Family Development workers:

  • Childcare providers: $25,100 CA, $23,240 US
  • Preschool teachers: $37,850 CA, $29,780 US
  • Center directors: $47,940 US
  • Salary can range across private, public and nonprofit sectors
  • Salary is often based on education and experience

Median annual wage for Nutrition and Dietetics workers: 

  • CA: $74,060
  • US: $60,370

The Department of Health Care Administration offers degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate candidates which prepare students to work in the business side of health care.

Health care administrators have a passion for creating and implementing policies and procedures, supervising staff, managing finances, and maintaining records to improve health care services. Students who pursue this degree often have the highest paying jobs after finishing college. Learn more. 

Kiely Gode
"It wasn’t until I started taking on a lot of administrative roles in my medical assistant job that I began thinking about the administrative and business side of health care. It really opened my eyes to what I could do. So I applied to this program here at CSULB, and began seeing how my degree would apply to the real world. I learned that I could still make an impactful difference in health care moving from the clinical side to the administration side."

 

Median annual wage for Health Care Administration workers:

  • CA: $125,770
  • US: $99,730

The Department of Health Science offers degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate candidates. Health Science professionals help increase access to health services and provide health education in both community and school settings.

Health Science workers have a passion for conducting research and educating people in their community to prevent health issues and promote wellness. Students who pursue their degree in Health Science often find jobs working in hospitals, local and county health departments and agencies and in schools. Learn more

Median annual wage for Community Health Science workers:  

  • CA: $49,260
  • US: $46,080

Median annual wage for School Health Education workers: 

  • Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: $57,980 
  • High School Teachers: $60,320

The Department of Kinesiology offers degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate candidates that prepare students for work in a variety of areas including athletic training, fitness, exercise science, physical education, adapted physical education, and in numerous work settings related to the sports industry.

Students who pursue their Kinesiology degree have a passion for helping others achieve fitness and health goals, and play a vital role in gymns, clinics, hospitals, sports teams and schools. Learn more

Median annual wage for Athletic trainers:

  • CA: $49,400
  • US: $47,510

Median annual wage for Exercise Science Professionals: 

  • CA: $89,030
  • US: $49,270

Starting Median annual wage for Physical Education/Adapted Physical Education teachers:

  • $57,129-$66,234

The School of Nursing (SON) has degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate candidates that prepare students to work in a variety of clinical positions including: Emergency Department Registered Nurses (RNs), Oncology RNs, school nurses and public health nurses.

Students who pursue their degree in nursing have a passion for providing and coordinating patient health care. Not only do they educate patients and their families about health conditions, but they also provide much needed emotional support. Nurses are committed to maintaining health and preventing illness.  Learn More

Median annual wage for Registered Nurse: 

  • CA: $106,950
  • US: $71,730

Median annual wage for Nurse Practioners: 

  • $113,930 per year
  • $54.78 per hour 

The Department of Physical Therapy (PT) offers the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Suggested undergraduate degree for this pathway is a Kinesiology degree (see above).  

Students who pursue their degree in physical therapy have a passion for helping people with injuries and health conditions, improving their movement and reducing pain. Physical therapists are highly-educated healthcare professionals who diagnose, treat and prevent mobility problems. Learn more

Median annual wage for Physical Therapists: 

  • CA: $93,100
  • US: $87,900

The Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration (GCPPA) offers the master's degree in Public administration, along with 3 graduate certificates. 

Students who pursue their graduate degree in Public Policy and Administration have a passion for making a large impact on the community. Public administrators lead and manage public, community-based and non-profit organizations. Learn more

Median annual wage for Public Administrators: 

  • CA: $64,000
  • US: $60,000

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS) (undergraduate and graduate) offers degree programs in Recreation Management and Recreation Therapy which prepare students for work in parks, sports facilities, community centers and other institutions.

Students who pursue their degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies have a passion for overseeing recreational programs and working in the community. They also provide meaningful support in their communities by planning, coordinating, and directing recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or other health concerns.

According to PayScale the average base salary for a certified park and recreation management professional is approximately $57K. Learn more about Rec Management roles and salaries. For Recreation Therapy professionals the national average salary is $68,451, according to ZipRecruiter. 

The School of Social Work (SW) has 3 degree pathways for both undergraduate and graduate candidates that prepare students for a variety of settings in the social work field. 

Students who pursue their degree in Social Work have a passion for enhancing the well-being of vulnerable populations and disadvantaged communities. Social workers provide meaningful service to the community as practitioners, leaders, and social justice advocates. Learn more

Median annual wage for Social Workers: 

  • CA: $72,200
  • US: $49,470

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) offers degree programs for undergraduate and graduate candidates that prepare students to work in a variety of clincial settings that help people with communication disorders. 

Students who pursue their degree in Speech-Language Pathology have a passion for working to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults (American Speech-language-Hearing Association). Speech Language Pathologists also provide services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals with severe and multiple disabilities by using all forms of augmentative and alternative communication. SLPs work with clients with various communication disorders across different severities and their caregivers/family members from diverse backgrounds. SLPs also work collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines in different settings. Learn more

Median annual wage for Speech Language Pathologists: 

  • CA: $72,200
  • US: $49,470

Average salaries for Speech Language assistants with a bachelor's degree who work in Speech Language Pathology offices:

  • $35-45/hour