Eric Silverman, Chair and Associate Professor
Detris Adelabu, Associate Professor
Janine Bempechat, Professor Akeia Benard, Assistant Professor
Emily Cahan, Professor
Gail Dines, Professor
Tina Durand, Assistant Professor
Martha Eshoo, Instructor
Petra Hesse, Associate Professor
Maya Honda, Associate Professor
Grace Kim, Assistant Professor
Kathryn Portnow, Instructor
William Sharp, Instructor
Eleonora Villegas Reimers, Associate Professor

Available Programs of Study:

• B.S. /Psychology and Human Development

Psychology And Human Development Major / B.S. Degree / 36 credits

The Psychology and Human Development major is rooted in the intellectual traditions of psychology, sociology and anthropology. The theories, research and practices of this multidisciplinary field of inquiry contribute to a greater understanding of human experience in our complex and changing world. Human development over the life course is studied in cultural, social, historical and political contexts. Students are encouraged to explore the relevance of the field to their personal experiences and professional growth and to formulate new research questions and policy agendas for improving the quality of the lives of children, families and communities.

This major, with its emphasis on development, is designed to provide in-depth study in an area that complements professional preparation for the fields of teaching, social work, juvenile justice and youth advocacy, and child life. The major is also recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate study in related areas.

Course Requirements

Students must take 36 credit hours of course work in Psychology and Human Development, consisting of a multi-disciplinary core of 16 credits and 20 credits in one of three focus areas: Counseling Psychology, Developmental Psychology, or Children, Families and Culture. Courses taken to fulfill multi-disciplinary core requirements cannot be used to fulfill focus area requirements.

Multi-disciplinary Core (16 Credits)

Students must complete a course in each discipline of the major (psychology, sociology, and anthropology) and a research methods course to meet the multi-disciplinary core requirement. Human Growth and Development, a college requirement for all first year students, also counts as the psychology course in the multi-disciplinary core:

Human Growth and Development (choose one)

4 credits

HDP 122/123

Human Growth and Development or

HDP 126/127

Human Growth and Development Intensive

 

One Sociology or Anthropology Course

4 credits

Students can take any sociology (HDS) or anthropology (HDA) course/4 cr

Research Methods

HDP 264	Research Methods or	4 credits
SWK 268	Social Research	4 credits

 

Diversity Selective (choose one)

4 credits

HDS 106	Sociology of Minority Groups/4 cr
HDP 330	Psychology of Race/4 cr
HDS 343	On Being Different/4 cr
HDP 327	Asian American Psychology/4 cr
New HDP	Race, Culture and Mental Health/4 cr

Focus (20 credits)

In addition to the multidisciplinary core requirement, students must complete 20 credits in one of three focus areas: Counseling Psychology, Developmental Psychology, or Children, Families and Culture. In each focus area, students must take a combination of introductory, intermediate and advanced courses.

Focus: Counseling Psychology

The counseling psychology focus explores topics related to mental health and counseling with a particular emphasis on human development and diversity. This focus prepares undergraduate students for graduate study in counseling or clinical psychology, which can lead to working in various mental health and human services fields. Please note that the course work is at the undergraduate level. In order to practice as a counselor, one needs to obtain a state licensure upon the completion of graduate study.

In addition to the required coursework, students are recommended to pursue gaining experiences in the field and/or seeking research opportunities. Please see your advisor for more information.

Counseling Psychology Core (choose two)

8 credits

HDP 223

Abnormal Psychology/4 cr or

HDP 379/380	Emotional Problems of Children/Seminar in Emotional Problems of Children/4 cr
HDP 301	Counseling Psychology/4 cr

 

Introductory and Intermediate Courses (choose one or two)

4-8 credits

CFS 240	Helping Children with Grief and Loss/4 cr
HDP 102	Introduction to Psychology/4 cr
HDP 104	Social Psychology/4 cr
HDP 220	Theories of Personality/4 cr
HDP 223	Abnormal Psychology/4 cr
HDP 224	Theories of Emotional Development/4 cr
CFS 240	Helping Children with Grief and Loss/4 cr
New HDP	Positive Psychology/4 cr
New HDP	Health Psychology/4 cr

 

Advanced Courses (choose one or two) 4-8 credits

AUT 320

Foundations of Development in Autism/4 cr

HDP 327	Asian American Psychology/4 cr
HDP 379/380	Emotional Problems of Children/4 cr
HDP 385	Psychological Trauma/4 cr

Students choosing to major in Psychology and Human Development with a Counseling Psychology focus may combine their major with the following professional majors and certificates: Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy, Human Service Certificate, Child Life, Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Social Work and Special Education (Moderate Disabilities). Instead of a professional major, some students may also want to double major in Humanities, Math/Science, American Studies or the Arts.

Students majoring in Psychology and Human Development with a focus in Counseling Psychology may also pursue an extended major without a professional major by taking an additional 4 advanced credits. Students interested in completing additional fieldwork may do so as an independent study with a faculty advisor.

Students interested in graduate study in clinical or counseling psychology should complete the following courses as part of their counseling psychology focus or extended major.

HDP 102	Introduction to Psychology	4 credits
HDP 220	Theories of Personality	4 credits
HDP 223	Abnormal Psychology	4 credits
HDP 301	Counseling Psychology	4 credits

Focus: Developmental Psychology

This focus examines the cognitive, social, motivational, and emotional changes that occur in the individual across the life span. The study of human development is framed within the context of families, schools, and communities. Courses emphasize the variety of social, cultural, economic, and political factors that influence the trajectories of both individuals and groups.

Intermediate Courses (choose two or three)

8-12 credits

HDP 222	Language and Culture/4 cr
HDP 224	Theories of Emotional Development/4 cr
HDP 227	Language Development/4 cr
HDP 257	Infant and Toddler Behavior and Development/4 cr
HDP 265	Achievement Motivation/4 cr
New HDP	Moral Development/4 cr
HDP 280	Infants, Toddlers and the Media/4 cr
HDP 282	Children and the Media/4 cr
HDP 290	Children with Special Needs/4 cr

Advanced Courses (choose two or three) (8-12 credits)

HDP 316	Children’s Political Lives/4 cr
HDP 325	Memory, Identity and Development/4 cr
HDP 330	The Psychology of Race/4 cr
HDP 335	Cognition in the Deaf and Blind/4 cr
HDP 352	Cognitive Development/4 cr
HDP 354	Ethnicity and Achievement/4 cr
HDP 358	Cross-cultural Perspectives on Child Care/4 cr
HDP 362	Meaning and Development of Play/4 cr
HDP 366	Adolescent Development/4 cr
HDP 368	Adult Development/4 cr
HDP 371	Humor and Child Development/4 cr
HDP 382	Nature of Linguistic Knowledge/4 cr
AUT 320	Foundations of Development in Autism /4 cr

Students choosing to major in Psychology and Human Development with a Developmental Psychology focus may combine their major with the following professional majors and certificates: Child Life, Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy, Human Service Certificate, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Social Work and Special Education. Instead of a professional major, some students may also want to double major in Humanities, Math/Science, American Studies or the Arts.

Students majoring in Psychology and Human Development with a focus in Developmental Psychology may also pursue an extended major without a professional major by taking an additional 4 advanced credits. Students interested in completing additional fieldwork may do so as an independent study with a faculty advisor.

Students with a major in Elementary Education should consider taking one or more of the following courses as part of their developmental psychology focus:

HDP 224	Theories of Emotional Development	4 credits
HDP 227	Language Development	4 credits
HDP 352	Cognitive Development	4 credits

Focus: Children, Families and Culture

This focus introduces students to the diversity of childhoods and families in the United States and elsewhere, as understood by Anthropology and Sociology. This focus area also studies different aspects of culture, including globalization, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexuality, consumerism, inequality, and power – how people create, contribute towards, and challenge their social worlds.

Introductory Courses (choose one)

4 credits

HDS 103	Women, Culture, & Society/4 cr
HDA 266	Children, Families and Parenting Around the World/4 cr
HDS 106	Sociology of Minority Groups/4 cr
HDA 120	Cultural Anthropology/4 cr

 

Intermediate Courses (choose one or two)

4-8 credits

AST 220	Coming to America/4 cr
AST 265	Studies in American Popular Culture/4 cr
AST 285	In the Best Interest of the Child (formerly Children and Families in American Society)/4 cr
HDP 222	Language and Culture/4 cr
HDP 256	Sex and Culture/4 cr
HDA/AST 258	Religion in America/4 cr
New HDA/HDS	Globalization and Immigration/4 cr
New HDA/HDS	Native Americans/4 cr
New HDA/AST 225	Boys and Men in America/4 cr
HDP 222	Language and Culture/4 cr
New HDP	Global Perspectives in Media Literacy/4 cr

 

Advanced Courses (choose two or three)

8-12 credits

HDS 332	Feminist Theories/4 cr
HDS 343	On Being Different/4 cr
HDP 316	Children’s Political Lives/4 cr
HDP 330	The Psychology of Race/4cr
HDA/AST 350	Globalization and Human Rights /4cr
HDP 358	Cross-cultural Perspectives on Child Care/4 cr
New HDA	Psychological Anthropology/4cr

Students choosing to major in Psychology and Human Development with a focus on Children, Families and Culture may combine their major with the following professional majors and certificates: Child Life, Juvenile Justice and Youth Advocacy, Human Service Certificate, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Social Work and Special Education (Moderate Disabilities). Instead of a professional major, some students may also want to double major in Humanities, Math/Science, American Studies or the Arts.

Students majoring in Psychology and Human development with a focus on Children, Families and Culture may also pursue an extended major without a professional major by taking an additional 4 advanced credits. Students interested in completing additional fieldwork may do so as an independent study with a faculty advisor.