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 wages: 

Student and Officer
“Ever since I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be a part of the criminal justice system. Through the years, I have been interested in many careers pertaining to the field (law enforcement, lawyer, judge, bailiff). I will pursue a career within federal law enforcement and ensure the safety of the public, our families, and our country." - Onora Hatchette, Criminal Justice Major
  • Criminologist (Sociologist), advanced degree required: $115,330 CA, $101,770 US
  • Corrections and Bailiffs: $85,770 CA, $53,000 US
  • Crime Scene Investigator/Forensic Technician: $98,400 CA, $64,690 US
  • Police and Detectives: $111,770 CA, $74,910 US
    • Work environments: Police and sheriff’s patrol officers, detectives and investigators, fish and game wardens, transit and railroad police
  • Probation and Parole Officers: $102,230 CA, $61,800 US
  • Emergency Managers: $131,580 CA, $83,960 US

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, Child Development Major

Median annual wage for Hospitality Management workers: 

Kevin Cooper
"I chose this career path because I have always been passionate about food and I decided to pursue a Hospitality Management degree because I wanted to have the opportunity to do what I love and get paid for it." Kevin Cooper, Hospitality Management Major 
  • 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 Merchandising & Design workers:

  • Buying and Purchasing Agents: $84,360 CA, $71,950 US
  • Purchasing Managers: $159,470 CA, $136,380 US
  • Retail Buyer: $59,300 CA
  • Store / Retail Operations Manager: $155,170
  • Fashion product developer: $94,000 CA
  • Fashion Event Planner: $69,280 CA
  • Global Supply Chain Manager: $119,250 CA
  • Social Media Specialist / Strategist: $100,040 CA
  • Fashion Marketing / Branding / Public Relations Specialist: $87,770 CA
  • E-commerce Manager: $102,840 CA
  • Fashion/Apparel Designer: $79,290 US
  • Pattern maker: $70,600 CA
  • Costume designer: $70,390 CA
  • Fashion illustrator: $114,000 CA
  • Fashion product developer: $94,000 CA

Median annual wage for Consumer Affairs workers:

Median annual wage for Child and Family Development workers:

  • Childcare providers: $38,000-$48,000 (Salary.com)
  • Preschool teachers: $38,850-$50,000 (Salary.com)
  • PK-3 teachers (requires post-baccalaureate PK-3 credential): $93,880 CA, $70,790 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: 

Median annual wage for Gerontology workers:

  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports job growth in several occupations related to gerontology. For instance, employment of medical and health service managers is projected to grow 9% over the period from 2022-2032, which is much faster than the average for all national occupations. Gerontology is the fastest growing domain of the healthcare industry with expected job growth in the fields of medicine, allied health care, long term care in facilities and private homes, and preventive health fields such as fitness and wellness, recreation, leisure, and retirement housing.
  • According to Payscale (2024) the average salary of a Gerontologist is $100,000

The Department of Health Care Management 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." -Kiely Gode, Health Care Management Major

 

Median annual wage for Health Care Administration workers:

  • Medical and Health Services Managers: $156,140 CA, $110,680 US

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:  

Marco Reyes
“As a future epidemiologist, I intend to utilize my HIV/AIDS research to assist in creating public health initiatives that aim to enhance treatment and prevention programs for underserved populations.” Marco Reyes, Health Science Major
  • Health Education Specialists: $76,460 CA, $62,860 US

Median annual wage for School Health Education workers: 

  • Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: $93,880 CA, $63,670 US
  • Middle and High School Teachers: $95,860 CA, $65,220 US

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/Sport Psychology Leadership:

  • Fitness trainers and instructors: $61,340 CA, $46,480 US
  • Coaches and Scouts: $65,560 CA, $45,910 US
  • Psychologists (requires advanced degree): $132,410 CA, $92,740 US
  • Higher education (Masters or PhD) is required for those seeking to work with athletes in non-clinical mental skills settings. For clinical practice, students need to earn a PhD or PsyD: These higher degree programs will allow for the necessary fieldwork/experience.

Median annual wage for Exercise Science Professionals: 

Randy Nguyen - website thumbnail
"I chose Athletic Training to help athletes perform at their best and educate them on a lifetime of healthy practices." Randy Nguyen, Athletic Training Major
  • Exercise physiologists: $49,700 CA, $54,860 US
  • Physical therapist (requires doctoral degree): $114,270 CA, $99,710 US

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

  • $57,129-$66,234
  • High School Teachers: $90,790 CA, $65,910 US

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 wages 

Emily Tran
“It is completely surreal to be where I am today and could not have asked for a better alma mater. “I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the friends that I have met and the staff and faculty that have supported me throughout my entire journey." - Emily Tran, Nursing Major
  • Registered Nurses: $137,690 CA, $86,070 US
  • Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: $161,540 CA, $129,480 US

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: 

David Nguyen
"I saw physical therapy as the perfect career for me and I think the best part about it, is that it teaches us a lot about the journey to self-improvement and self-healing." David Nguyen, Physical Therapy Major
  • Physical therapist (requires doctoral degree): $114,270 CA, $99,710 US

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: 

Luis Gonzalez
“From helping at food pantries to volunteering in local events, I have dedicated my life to serve my community. I am planning on using all the knowledge gained from my MPA program to continue helping disenfranchised communities to have voice in government and access to resources." Luis Gonzalez, Public Policy Major 
  • CA: $72,000
  • 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.

Median annual wage for Recreation Management professionals: 

Stephanie Brasovean
“You can work in parks, tourism, government, non-profit agencies, outdoor adventure recreation – so many different areas you could go into with this degree program.” Stephanie Brasovean, Recreation Major
  • Park and Recreation Agency Director: $123,000
  • Planning Director: $106,500
  • Director of Finance: $100,245
  • Recreation Director: $90,000
  • Park Operations Director: $85,000
  • Park Operations: $65,952
  • Facilites Manager: $70,000
  • Athletics Supervisor: $60,347
  • Aquatics Supervisor: $64,500
  • Recreation Programs Coordinator: $58,000
  • Marketing and Communications Director: $70,000
  • Fitness Center Manager: $60,181
  • Administrative Assistant: $47,840
  • Recreation supervisors: $53,710 CA
  • Recreation coordinator: $60,000 – 95,000 CA
  • Recreation director: $175,000 – 211,000 CA
    • Wages vary with job location and level of experience

Median annual wage for Recreation Therapy professionals

  • Recreation therapists: $89,660 CA, $57,120 US

 

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: 

Angela Dominguez
“I hope to serve my community by continuing to break down the stigma associated with mental health, advocating for women’s rights, and finding creative ways to meet the needs of underserved populations.”  Angela Dominguez, Social Work Major
  • Social Workers: $69,340 CA, $58,380 US
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers: $93,200 CA

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: 

Jasmine Hogan
"From a young age, I recognized the pivotal role that speech, language, and communication play in fostering meaningful connections and relationships. I truly feel as though the decision to pursue speech pathology was a calling rather than a choice. After I learned about this field, I became captivated by the notion of empowering others to overcome communication barriers and enhance their quality of life." Jasmine Hogan, Speech Language Pathology Major
  • Speech-Language Pathologists (graduate school required): $112,030 CA, $89,290 US

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

  • $35-45/hour