B.S. in Human Development
Program Overview
The 120-unit Bachelor of Science in Human Development is an on-site or online degree for working adults at a top Christian university in Southern California. The program is for individuals interested in teaching, counseling, or other helping professions. Students form a critical base of knowledge and skills for entrance into these fields, as well as preparation for further career development, a teaching credential, and/or graduate study. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, understanding of cultural diversity, ethical principles, and leadership strategies.
The program is designed as an on-site or online degree completition program for working adults.
The Human Development Major emphasizes:
- Study of individuals, group interaction, and cultural diversity
- Understanding human development over the life span, learning theories, and effective teaching strategies
- Study of abnormal psychology, counseling theories, and the practice of helping
- Training in research methods and statistics
- Development of Christian ethics, servant leadership, and strategies for service
Within the 46-unit Major, students elect either a Counseling Emphasis or an Education Emphasis.
Program Purpose & Goals
Purpose: The SPS Human Development Major provides adult learners with entry-level preparation for teaching, counseling, or other helping professions. The program equips students for teacher credentialing, graduate study, and career development, while also promoting competence and personal integrity by which an individual may serve her or his professional community. In the Human Development Major students may choose either a Counseling Emphasis or an Education Emphasis in accordance with their personal, professional, or educational goals.
Goal 1: Equip students to use communication tools and skills appropriate to human service fields.
Goal 2: Equip students to use coursework concepts and skills to critically analyze and solve problems in human growth and development settings.
Goal 3: Equip students to apply Christian values and Christ-like servant leadership in human service fields.
Program Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Science degree with a Human Development Major, students must complete the following degree components:
HDV1100 Strategies for Success - 3 units
General Education Core - 42 units
General Electives - 29 units
Human Development Major - 46 units
TOTAL: 120 units
Major Course Sequence
The Human Development Major consists of the following sequence of courses:
COM3195 Writing and Research Skills 3
HDV3205 Childhood Development 3
HDV3215 Adolescent Development 3
BIB1310 Introduction to Biblical Literature 3
HDV3220 Adult Development 3
SSC4410 Applied Cultural Diversity 3
BIB2120 Servant Leadership 3
SSC4120 Statistics for the Social Sciences 3
SSC3610 Social Issues 2
SSC4125 Research Methods and Design 4
PSY3342 Abnormal Psychology 3
BIB3130 A Foundation for Ethics 3
PSY3410 Counseling Theories & Practice 3
Counseling Emphasis
PSY3460 Counseling Skills 3
HDV4920 Applied Development and Counseling Strategy 4
or
Education Emphasis
HDV4300 Learning Theory 3
EDU4930 Applied Development and Education Strategy 4
TOTAL UNITS: 46
