College of Health & Social Sciences

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Human Development Majors 

Average Human Development Major Salary 

SF State Child and Adolescent Development Major Overview 

Occupational Outlook 

• Childcare Workers 

• Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers 

• Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists 

• Preschool Teachers 

• Rehabilitation Counselors 

• School and Career Counselors 

• Social and Community Service Managers 

• Social and Human Service Assistants 

• Social Worker 

• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorders Counselors 

Employment Opportunities   

• Counseling Jobs 

• Social Service Jobs 

Professional Associations 

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 

• American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 

• American Counseling Association 

• American Psychological Association 

• American School Counselors Association 

• Association of Child Life Professionals  

• Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling 

• Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development 

• International Congress of Infant Studies 

• National Association for the Education of Young Children 

• National Council on Family Relations 

• National Human Services Assembly 

Related Resources 

• American Society on Aging 

• Child and Family Policy Consortium 

• Child Welfare League of America 

• Children Now 

• Children’s Defense Fund 

• Early Childcare and Education Resource Guide 

• Explore Health Careers 

• Military Family Services 

• National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care 

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Children and Families 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for School Counseling Majors 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Mental Health Counseling Majors 

Average School Counseling Major Salary 

Average Mental Health Counseling Major Salary 

SF State Counseling Major Overview 

Occupational Outlook 

• Marriage and Family Therapists 

• Postsecondary Teachers 

• Rehabilitation Counselors 

• School and Career Counselors 

• Social and Community Service Managers 

• Social and Human Service Assistants 

• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors  

Employment Opportunities   

• Counseling Jobs 

• Employment Opportunities 

• Social Service Jobs 

Professional Associations 

• American Art Therapy Association 

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 

• American Counseling Association 

• American Mental Health Counselors Association 

• American Music Therapy Association 

• American Psychological Association 

• American School Counselors Association 

• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision 

• Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling 

• Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development 

• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 

• Expressive Arts Therapy Association 

• National Association of School Psychologists 

• National Board for Certified Counselors 

• National Career Development Association 

• National Employment Counseling Association 

• National Organization for Human Services 

• National Rehabilitation Association 

Related Resources 

• Choosing a Graduate Program 

• Counseling Degrees 

• Counseling Internet Resources 

• Explore Health Careers 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Criminal Justice Majors 

Average Criminal Justice Major Salary 

SF State Criminal Justice Studies Major Overview 

Occupational Outlook 

• Correctional Officers 

• Judges, Mediators and Hearing Officers 

• Lawyers 

• Paralegals and Legal Assistants 

• Police and Detectives 

• Private Detectives and Investigators 

• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 

• Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers 

Employment Opportunities   

• American Police Beat 

• American Society of Criminology Careers 

• CorrectionalOfficerEDU.org 

• Criminal Justice Jobs Help.com 

• Federal Bureau of Investigation - Careers 

• Federal Jobs Network - Law Enforcement Jobs and Careers 

• Go Law Enforcement 

• National Criminal Justice Association Public Safety Career Center 

• U.S. Department of Justice Careers 

Professional Associations 

• American Correctional Association 

• American Society of Criminology 

• National Association of Criminal Justice 

• National Association of Legal Assistants 

• National Narcotic Officers Association 

• The American Parole and Probation Association 

Related Resources 

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) 

• Central Intelligence Agency 

• Criminal Justice Careers 

• Criminal Justice Degree Schools (Explore Criminal Justice Careers) 

• Criminal Justice Programs 

• Criminal Justice USA 

• Department of Defense 

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

• Federal Bureau of Investigation 

• National Security Agency 

• Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) 

• U.S. Department of Justice 

• U.S. Department of State 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Environmental Science Majors 

Average Environmental Science Major Salary 

SF State Environmental Studies Major Overview 

Occupational Outlook 

• Conservation Scientists and Foresters 

• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians 

• Environmental Scientists and Specialists 

Employment Opportunities   

• Conservation Jobs 

• Cyber-Sierra Natural Resources Job Search 

• Earthworks-jobs.com 

• Ecotourism Job Centre 

• Environmental Career Opportunities 

• Environmental, Health, and Safety Jobs 

• EnvironmentalCareer.com 

• New Scientist Jobs 

• Science Careers 

• Science Societies Career Center 

Professional Associations 

• American Geosciences Institute 

• Crop Science Society of America 

• Ecological Society of America 

• International Erosion Control Association 

• National Association of Environmental Professionals  

• National Council for Science and the Environment 

• National Environmental Education Foundation 

• National Environmental Health Association 

• North American Association for Environmental Education 

• Sierra Club 

• Society for Conservation Biology 

• Society of Women Environmental Professionals 

• Soil Science Society of America 

• The Coastal Society 

• The Student Conservation Association 

Related Resources 

• 50 Careers in Trees 

• Ecotourism professional outlook 

• EPA – Careers 

• Guide to Green Careers  

• USDA Living Science 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Family and Consumer Sciences Majors 

Average Family and Consumer Sciences Major Salary 

SF State Family and Consumer Sciences Major Overview 

Occupational Outlook 

• Childcare Workers 

• Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers 

• Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists 

• Preschool Teachers 

• Rehabilitation Counselors 

• School and Career Counselors 

• Social and Community Service Managers 

• Social and Human Service Assistants 

• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorders Counselors 

Employment Opportunities   

• Counseling Jobs 

• Social Service Jobs 

Professional Associations 

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 

• American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 

• American Counseling Association 

• American Psychological Association 

• American School Counselors Association 

• Association of Child Life Professionals  

• Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling 

• Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development 

• International Congress of Infant Studies 

• National Association for the Education of Young Children 

• National Council on Family Relations 

• National Human Services Assembly 

Related Resources 

• American Society on Aging 

• Child and Family Policy Consortium 

• Child Welfare League of America 

• Children Now 

• Children’s Defense Fund 

• Early Childcare and Education Resource Guide 

• Explore Health Careers 

• Military Family Services 

• National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care 

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Children and Families 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Gerontology Majors 

Average Gerontology Major Salary 

SF State Gerontology Major Overview 

Occupational Outlook 

• Medical and Health Services Manager 

• Social and Community Service Managers 

• Social and Human Service Assistants 

• Social Worker 

Employment Opportunities   

• AgeWork 

• HealtheCareers 

• Institute on Aging 

Professional Associations 

• The Gerontological Society of America 

Related Resources 

• GSA Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization 

• Exploring Careers in Aging: A Roadmap for Students 

• AHCA/NCAL Workforce Resource Center 

• LeadingAge Center for Workforce Solutions 

• Senior Living Works 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Interior Design Majors 

Average Interior Design Major Salary 

SF State Interior Design Major Overview 

Occupational Outlook 

• Architects 
• Industrial Designers 
• Interior Designers 
• Landscape Architects 

Employment Opportunities   

• Behance 
• Careers in Interior Design 
• Interior Design Jobs 

Professional Associations 

• American Institute for Architects 
• American Society of Interior Designers 
• Council for Interior Design Accreditation 
• Interior Design Educators Council 
• International Interior Design Association 
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design 
• Council for Interior Design Qualification 

Related Resources 

• Careers – Building Communities 
• Interior Design Body of Knowledge 
• Interior Design Media 
• Learn How to Become an Interior Designer 
• The Art Project 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Kinesiology Majors 

Average Kinesiology Major Salary 

SF State Kinesiology Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
• American Aerobic Association International/International Sports Medicine Association
• American College of Sports Medicine
• American Council on Exercise
• American Fitness Professionals and Associates
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• American Physical Therapy Association
• American Sports & Fitness Association
• Association for Applied Sports Psychology
• Federation of Professional Trainers
• International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association
• National Athletic Trainers’ Association
• National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association
• National Strength and Condition Association
• NCAA

Related Resources

• Explore Health Careers
• Human Kinetics
• Ideafit
• PT Aide Guide
• Women’s Sports Foundation
• Yoga Alliance

Occupational Outlook

• Athletic Trainers
• Exercise Physiologist
• Fitness Trainers and Instructors
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Recreation Workers

Employment Opportunities

• BlueFish Jobs
• Exercise Jobs.com
• Fitness Jobs.com
• Sports Medicine Jobs

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Nursing Majors 

Average Nursing Major Salary 

SF State Nursing Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• American Nurses Association
• American Telemedicine Association
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing
• Nursing Society

Related Resources

• Discover Nursing
• Explore Health Careers
• Nurse Career Tips
• Nursing Explorer
• Nursing License Map
• Nursing Schools
• Practical Nursing.org
• Registered Nursing.org
• RN to BSN Programs
• Sloan Foundation Careers in STEM
• Top Nursing Careers & Specialties

Occupational Outlook

• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
• Registered Nurses

Employment Opportunities

• HealtheCareers
• Nursing Jobs
• Travel Nursing Jobs

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Dietetics Majors 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Nutrition Science Majors 

Average Dietetics Major Salary 

Average Nutrition Science Major Salary 

SF State Nutrition and Dietetics Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• American Society for Nutrition
• Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists
• Commission on Dietetic Registration
• National Association of Nutrition Professionals

Related Resources

• Explore Health Careers
• Nutrition.gov
• Today’s Dietitian
• United States Department of Agriculture

Occupational Outlook

• Dietitians and Nutritionists
• Food Service Managers
• Health Educators

Employment Opportunities

• Dietitian Central
• iHireNutrition
• Nutrition Jobs

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Public Administration Majors 

Average Public Administration Major Salary 

SF State Public Administration Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• American Political Science Association
• American Society for Public Administrators
• Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
• International Association for Political Science Students

Related Resources

• American Enterprising Institute for Public Policy Research
• Careers for Political Scientists
• Corporation for National & Community Service
• Equal Justice Works
• FBI Employment
• Federal Jobs.Net
• Go Government
• Health Administration Careers
• Law School Admission Council
• Law Students Center
• National Academy of Public Administration
• National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
• Nonprofit Careers at Idealist
• Preparing for Law School
• S. Department of State
• United States Senate Employment

Occupational Outlook

• Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
• Judges, Mediators, and Hearing Officers
• Lawyers
• Medical and Health Services Managers
• Paralegals and Legal Assistants
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Teachers-Postsecondary
• Training and Development Managers
• Urban and Regional Planner

Employment Opportunities

• Federal Jobs
• Lobbying Jobs
• Public Affairs Council
• Public Service Careers
• USA JOBS

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Public Health Majors  

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Health Education Majors 

Average Public Health Major Salary 

Average Health Education Major Salary 

SF State Public Health Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• American College of Epidemiology
• American Public Health Association
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
• National Association of Community Health Center
• National Association of County and City Health Officials
• Public Health Foundation
• Society for Public Health Education

Related Resources

• Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health
• Careers in Public Health
• Council on Education for Public Health
• Explore Health Careers 
• Health Administration Careers
• National Center for Health Statistics
• National Institutes of Health
• Public Health from Allied Health Schools
• PublicHealth.org
• Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS)
• What is Public Health?
• World Health Organization

Occupational Outlook

• Environmental Scientists and Specialists
• Epidemiologists
• Health Educators
• Medical and Health Services Managers
• Medical Scientist
• Microbiologist

Employment Opportunities

• Health Promotion Career Network
• Public Health Jobs

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Recreation Management Majors 

Average Recreation Management Major Salary 

SF State Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• American Camp Association
• American Therapeutic Recreation Association
• Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministries
• International Festivals and Events Association
• Meeting Planners International
• National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
• National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association
• National Recreation and Park Association
• Wilderness Education Association

Related Resources

• AWANA
• Event Planning Information
• Hospitality Net
• Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation Career Guide
• Rec Therapy Today
• YouthWorks

Occupational Outlook

• Coaches and Scouts
• Directors, Religious Activities and Education
• Flight Attendants
• Meeting and Convention Planners
• Occupational Therapists
• Recreation Workers
• Recreational Therapists
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Travel Agents

Employment Opportunities

• BlueFish Jobs
• Cool Works
• Idealist
• Job Monkey

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Social Work Majors 

Average Social Work Major Salary 

SF State Social Work Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• Association of Social Work Boards
• Council on Social Work Education
• International Federation of Social Workers 
• National Association of Social Workers
• School Social Work Association of America

Related Resources

• Chronicle of Philanthropy
• Explore Health Careers 
• Help Starts Here 
• Idealist 
• Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics
• Social Worker Blog 
• Social Workers Speak 
• Social Work Career Network 

Occupational Outlook

• Social and Community Service Managers
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Social Workers
• Health Educators and Community Health Workers
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Employment Opportunities

• Social Work Career Center
• Social Service Jobs
• Social Workers Online Career Center
• Social Worker Online

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Sociology Majors 

Average Sociology Major Salary 

SF State Sociology Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• American Sociological Association Resources for Students
• American Society of Criminology
• Global Studies Association of North America
• International Sociological Association
• Justice Studies Association
• Society for the Study of Social Problems
• Association of Black Sociologists

Related Resources

• Federal Agencies that Collect Demographic Statistics
• Idealist
• Partnership for Public Service
• PublicServiceCareers.org
• World Wide Learn Guide to Sociology Major

Occupational Outlook

• Counselors
• Market Research Analysts
• Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
• Police and Detectives
• Postsecondary Teacher
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Sociologist
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorders Counselors
• Survey Researchers

Employment Opportunities

• Social Service Jobs
• USA Jobs

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Urban Planning Majors 

Best Jobs and Career Paths for Urban Studies Majors 

Average Urban Planning Major Salary 

Average Urban Studies Major Salary 

SF State Urban Studies Major Overview 

Professional Associations

• American Planning Association
• American Society for Public Administrators
• Global PlannersNetwork
• International Economic Development Council
• Urban Land Institute

Related Resources

• Careers – Building Communities
• Corporation for National & Community Service
• Education and Careers in Planning
• Go Government
• IBM SMARTER Cities
• National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
• Planning Careers
• Planners Web
• PublicServiceCareers.org
• The Sierra Club
• Urban Studies from College Board
• Urban Studies Journal
• U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development

Occupational Outlook

• Market Research Analysts
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Survey Researchers
• Urban and Regional Planners

Employment Opportunities

• Planning Jobs
• APA TN Job Opportunities