Choose a career that lets you make a difference in the lives of children. Learn how kids grow and develop from birth through adolescence. Get the hands-on experience you need to work with young people in a variety of settings, from schools to clinics to hospitals. Prepare yourself to enter a competitive graduate program in psychology or the social sciences. Introducing SNHU's B.A. in psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development.
The B.A. in psychology with a Concentration in Child and Adolescent Development is a 120-credit hour program. Courses are offered on-campus and online in the fall and spring semesters. To earn your degree, you'll need to successfully complete the following courses:
Required Core Courses
School of Arts and Sciences Required Courses
BIO-210: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Discussion comparison of the principles of mammalian form and function Includes molecular and cellular mechanisms of major processes such as muscle contraction neural transmission and signal transduction and examines the structure and function of the 11 organ systems of the human body Laboratory exercises BIO 210L to follow lecture topics
MAT-240: Applied Statistics
This is a fundamental course in the application of statistics In this course students will learn to apply statistical techniques to a variety of applications in business and the social sciences Students will learn how to solve statistical problems by hand and through the use of computer software Topics will include probability distribution functions sampling distributions estimation hypothesis testing and linear regression
Psychology Degree Major Courses
PSY-108: Introduction to Psychology
This course is an introduction to various areas of psychology including scientific investigation motivation personality intelligence behavioral deviation perception learning and human development It provides a basis for further study in related areas Offered every semester
PSY-211: Lifespan Development
Students in this course study physical and psychological development from the prenatal period to death Patterns of human development also are considered Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-215: Psychology of Abnormal Behavior
This course offers students an opportunity to better understand human behavior It also studies the similarities and differences between normal and abnormal reactions to environmental stimuli Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-216: Psychology of Personality
Personality is studied using theories applications and individual and group patterns of behavior formation Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-224: Research II Scientific Investigations
Students in this course will develop an understanding a variety of research methods including experimental survey co relational and case history techniques They will become aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each method and understand when each method is best used Offered every year Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-305: Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes we explore research and theory relating to memory thinking problem solving and language Applied topics will include learning skills to help improve memory accommodating memory language disorders such as Alzheimer s disease and dyslexia and understanding how brain scanning techniques can be used to understand memory
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-444: Senior Seminar in Psychology
This capstone course integrates previous classroom and practical experience with a focus on current issues in psychology This course likely will include cross cultural aspects of psychology ethics recent career trends in psychology and other topics dictated by current events in psychology Coverage may change over time but the basic focus on integrating the past and anticipating the future for psychology seniors will be the major concern Offered every year Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisites:
PSY-211
PSY ELE - Students may select four Psychology electives
Psychology Degree Major Courses - No Concentration
Select One of the Following:
JUS-101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course covers the nature scope and impact of crime in the United States independent and interdependent operations and procedures of police courts and corrections and introductory theories of crime and delinquency The course introduces the justice model in a systematic way whereby students delve into the numerous components of the justice system including law enforcement legal and judicial process and correctional operations Career opportunities will be fully covered throughout the course
JUS-325: Law Justice and Family
A full fledged review of the justice system s response to the establishment and maintenance of family in the American culture How the family is defined its heritage of rights and protections and the differentiated roles of parent and child are central considerations Further review includes a look at family dissolution divorce custody and support disputes and the ongoing problems of visitation The emerging problems of spousal and child abuse will be keenly analyzed and how the legal systems provide protection from these abuses will be closely scrutinized
JUS-468: Crimes Against Children
This is a course that examines criminal activity targeted against children The course will focus on the physical and sexual abuse neglect kidnapping and sexual exploitation of children Students will explore methods of identifying victims investigating offenders and court presentation of criminal cases Special attention is focused on the dynamics of the relationship between victims and offenders and how that is a factor in the investigation and prosecution of criminal acts
JUS-485: Forensic Law
An interdisciplinary course covering law criminal justice science and technological issues in the evidentiary arena Coverage in the course provides a broad based assessment of expert witnesses microanalysis pathological evidence admissibility and investigatory practice ballistics fingerprints vascar radar and photographic techniques Contrasted with criminalistics subject matter of this course is primarily evidentiary More particularly the course will delve into the rules of evidence which guide the admissibility of forensic evidence in a court of law Examination includes threshold tests for reliability and admissibility qualification of witnesses competent to testify scientific rigor required for admission and case law determinations on the use and abuse of scientific evidence
SCI-215: Contemporary Health
This course exposes students to the three major dimensions of health physical emotional and social Health nutrition substance abuse infectious diseases and stress management are among the issues that will be discussed Students will learn to intelligently relate health knowledge to the social issues of our day For students on program plans catalogs prior to 2012 13 this course does not satisfy the university core science requirement
SOC-213: Sociology of Social Problems
Students in this course analyze contemporary social problems in America and other societies Issues include economic limitations class and poverty race and ethnic relations sexism ageism and environmental and population concerns Offered every year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-317: Sociology of the Family
This course is a sociological examination of the family institution in America and other societies Traditional and nontraditional family patterns are studied to provide students with a structure for understanding sex marriage family and kinship systems Offered every other year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-320: Sociology of Gender
The examination of gender in society Students will explore the social construction of gender gender identity development sexuality and power and other aspects concerning the meanings and implications of being male female or transgendered
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-326: Sociology of Deviant Behavior
This course is a sociological analysis of the nature cause and societal reactions to deviant behavior including mental illness suicide drug and alcohol addiction and sexual deviation Offered every other year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
SOC-328: Sociology of Aging
Students in this course examine the basic social processes and problems of aging Social and psychological issues and issues involved with death and dying are discussed Offered every other year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
Child & Adolescent Development Concentration Courses
The following courses are required in place of the psychology electives:
PSY-314: Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
This course focuses specifically on an introduction to the classification of disorders of childhood and adolescence and the treatment approaches that currently are available Knowledge students obtain in PSY 215 is essential for understanding the etiology and manifestation of these disorders as well as the impact on the individual family and society Current field research and case studies will be used Offered as needed
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-321: Issues in Childhood Development
This course focuses on psychological development from infancy through late childhood Research and theoretical perspectives will be used to help students understand contemporary issues central to childhood development including biological cognitive and social emotional characteristics of development and the interplay between them A highlight of this course is that we will apply developmental psychology to current issues Please note that this class replaces PSY 311
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-322: Issues in Adolescent Development
Adolescence is a fascinating time of life because of the many psychological and physical changes that occur as well as the cultural and historical issues surrounding these changes This course focuses on psychological development from pre adolescence through emerging adulthood Research and theoretical perspectives will be used to help students understand contemporary issues central to adolescence including puberty cognition morality identity relationships sexuality school work culture and challenges faced by adolescents Adolescence will be discussed both as a distinct stage of life and as an integral component of development across the life span
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
Select One of the Following:
PSY-201: Educational Psychology
This course emphasizes the nature of human learning with a study of the concepts of readiness motivation retention individual differences development reasoning and measurement in relation to the learning process Consideration of the psychological principles of testing and learning technology are also emphasized Offered as needed Writing Intensive Course
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-230: Psychology of Individual Differences and Special Needs
This course provides knowledge and understanding of exceptional children and adolescents The approach is theoretical and practical Offered as needed
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-291: Experiential Learning
This course is an entry level experience based course that focuses on community psychology career opportunities and academic direction Through volunteer hours and course content students deepen their understanding of mental health and community based human services Prerequisite PSY 108 or PSY 108H Application for placement must be completed before the end of the previous semester term
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-315: Counseling Process and Techniques
This course examines the history and philosophy of specific helping professions in the fields of psychology sociology and human services Several broad theoretical perspectives will be studied and applied in role play situations Offered as needed
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-319: Social Development Child and Adolescent
The purpose of this course is to expose students to theory and research concerning infants children s and adolescents social and personality development This course will focus on how individuals become members of their social world including how we conceptualize the social world interact with parents and caretakers develop social relationships with peers and interpret analyze and respond to cultural messages and ideologies We will discuss these issues through analysis of the theoretical and research literature
Prerequisites:
PSY-211
PSY-335: Assessment and Testing
Students in this course will become aware of the use and abuse of psychometric techniques Specific techniques that currently are used will be introduced and understood While knowledge about specific tests may be somewhat limited students will obtain knowledge and the types of tests and techniques available Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
PSY-443: Psychology Internship
Offered every year
Prerequisites:
PSY-108,
PSY-480: Independent Study
This course allows the student to investigate any psychology subject not incorporated into the curriculum Offered as needed
University Accreditation
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