Human Development Specialization

The Human Development Specialization prepares highly motivated students for careers that support and strengthen healthy growth and learning across the lifespan. Future careers include a wide range across health, education, nonprofit, and business sectors, including: genetic counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, communication disorders, aging, gerontology, assisted living, hospice, early childhood, maternal infant and toddler supports, school psychology, educational psychology, higher education student affairs, disabilities and neurodivergent support, advocacy and nonprofit work, and human resources. The Human Development Specialization is open to all students and may be combined with any of the psychology programs.

Requirements

28-32 credits

All courses for this specialization must be completed with a grade of C or better. Some courses will require the completion of prerequisite coursework.

Foundational Coursework (8 credits)

Complete two of the following foundational courses related to human development (8 credits):

BIOL-1109Biology of Reproduction

4 credits

-
or

BIOL-3309Reproduction

4 credits

-
 

HEHP-2000Human Health and Wellness

4 credits

PHIL-2060Human Nature

4 credits

PSYC-1000General Psychology

4 credits

Across the Lifespan

Complete the following courses (8 credits) providing an empirically informed overview of human development across the lifespan:

EDUC-1000Introduction to Teaching

4 credits

-
or

PSYC-1120Critical Thinking in Psych Science

4 credits

-
 

PSYC-2010Developmental Psychology

4 credits

Childhood and Adolescent Development (6-8 credits)

Complete two of the following courses (6-8 credits) related to childhood and adolescent physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development:

BIOL-1108Human Genetics

4 credits

-
or

BIOL-3316Genetics

4 credits

-
 

BIOL-3372Developmental Biology

4 credits

EDUC-2050Language and Literacy Development

4 credits

EDUC-3200Teaching Exceptional Children

4 credits

HEHP-1030Introduction to Outdoor and Adventure Education

4 credits

HEHP-3004Motor Learning

4 credits

PSYC-4120Infants, Health, and Society

4 credits

PSYC-4150Adolescent Development

2 credits

Social-Cultural Context (6-8 credits)

Complete two of the following courses (6-8 credits) on the social-cultural context of human development:
ANSC-3300The Sociology of Religion

4 credits

ANSC-3310Family Sociology

4 credits

ANSC-3997Death and Dying

4 credits

EDUC-3000Schools and Society

2 credits

EDUC-3100Foundations of Schooling

4 credits

INTR-4997Internship

1-4 credits

PHIL-1500Introduction to World Religions

4 credits

PSYC-3800Psychological Counseling

4 credits

PSYC-4250Multicultural Psychology

4 credits

PSYC-4444Intergroup Relations

4 credits

-
 

SPAN-1001Spanish Language and Culture I

4 credits

-
or

SPAN-1003Spanish for Heritage Speakers

4 credits

If selecting an internship for partial fulfillment of this requirement, then at least two credits of internship must be completed. Students should consult with their major advisor and the pre-professional advisor to plan an internship with a site focused on human development.