2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Applied Developmental Psychology, BS
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The undergraduate major in Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) develops the skills and knowledge needed for professional work in child and youth care, education and other related human service fields. ADP also prepares students for graduate school in such fields as education, psychology, and social work. Coursework includes developmental theory and research covering birth through early adulthood, professional issues, family dynamics, cultural distinctions, disabilities, psychopathology, curriculum and activity planning, practice skills, and supervision.
The undergraduate major in Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) includes three distinct areas of concentration that lead to a BS degree:
- ADP Traditional
- ADP Practitioner
- ADP CASE (Combined Accelerated Studies in Education)
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ADP - Traditional Program
The undergraduate major in Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) emphasizes developing the skills necessary for implementing and evaluating effective programs for children, youth, and families. Course work includes the study of professional issues, program design and evaluation, counseling skills, and qualitative research methods. The program allows for a focus on Child Life hospital work, group care, family support and intervention, administration, play intervention and therapy. Successful completion of the program leads to the Bachelor of Science degree.
The ADP Bachelor of Science program is listed as an academic program to prepare Child Life Specialists by the Child Life Council.
The curriculum is organized into four terms of upper-division (junior and senior year) study. Applications for admission should be submitted during the sophomore year.
Major Requirements
The curriculum is organized into four terms of upper-division (junior- and senior-year) study. Study encompasses developmental theory and research from birth through adolescence, professional issues, family dynamics, cultural distinction, handicapping conditions, psychopathology, curriculum and activity planning, practice skills, and an introduction to management. Students spend 300 to 600 hours of internship in the senior year in programs for children, youth, and families, including those with special needs. Flexibility in the curriculum is provided through electives, internship focus, and class project topic selection.
To graduate, students are required to take a minimum of 120 credits, 48 of which must be taken in applied developmental psychology courses. All of these courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better, and students must maintain a GPA of 2.50 in the major. Students must also perform successfully in the internship, according to prevailing standards, in order to remain in good standing in the program.
Note:
Elective courses and directed study can also be arranged.
ADP - CASE Teacher Certification Program
The undergraduate major in Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) also includes a Teacher Certification program. This program emphasizes developing the skills necessary for becoming a highly effective teacher of young children in grades PK-4 General Education and PK-8 Special Education. Course work includes the study of professional issues, program design and evaluation, teaching methodology and best practices in using culturally and linguistically relevant pedagogy. Successful completion of the program leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. CASE students then continue into the graduate year to complete coursework and student teaching that leads to the PK-4 Early Childhood and the PK -8 Special Education teaching certification in Pennsylvania.
The curriculum is organized into four terms of upper-division (junior and senior year) undergraduate study. Three additional terms of graduate study allows students to finish with two degrees and two teacher certifications in five years. Applications for admission should be submitted during the sophomore year.
Major Requirements
The curriculum is organized into four terms of upper-division (junior- and senior-year) undergraduate study and three additional terms of graduate study. Study encompasses developmental theory and research from birth through adolescence, professional issues, family dynamics, cultural distinction, psychopathology, curriculum and activity planning, practice skills, and an introduction to management. Students spend 4 terms in student teaching placements during the senior and graduate years. To graduate with the B.S. in ADP-CASE, students are required to take a minimum of 127 credits. All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better, and students must maintain a GPA of 3.0. Students must also perform successfully in their practicum and student teaching placements according to University of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Department of Education standards in order to remain in good standing in the program.
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