Child Psychology B A

Definition: Child psychology focuses on behavioral development from the prenatal period to maturity in the areas of cognition, ethology, genetics, language, learning, perception, and social behavior. The Institute of Child Development, housed in the College of Education and Human Development, offers a bachelor of arts, a bachelor of science, and a minor in child psychology through the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). All undergraduate child psychology courses are considered CLA courses and count toward the CLA graduation requirements. Majors may not receive a second major or baccalaureate degree in psychology nor apply psychology, educational psychology, or child and adolescent psychiatry credits to the minimum 18 upper-level credits required outside the major. These credits fall neither inside nor outside the major.--The bachelor of arts program places a stronger emphasis on the applied aspects of child psychology. Emphasizing a more applied approach to Child Psychology, the BA requires field study participation (or directed research experience), allowing students to gain practical experience in the field of child psychology. Students have the opportunity to take a course in social work, youth studies, early childhood education, public health, or cultural anthropology. With a combination of intensive training in developmental psychology and a field study experience, the program prepares students for careers and additional training in such areas as early childhood education, counseling, and human service programs. Students are required to meet the second language requirement as determined by CLA. Edit