In this concentration, students may choose their area of focus from among three disciplines:
psychology,
sociology or
political science.
Psychology is the science of behavior. It covers the behavior of humans, normal and abnormal, and across the life span. The field is concerned both with the development of principles of behavior and with their application to individuals, society, and the institutions of government, business, and mental health. This concentration requires a minimum of 36 credits.
Concentration Requirements:
| Requirement |
Credits |
Any two of these areas: Counseling, Social Psychology, Personality, Clinical/Abnormal, Community/Mental health |
6 credits |
One of the following: Cognition, Perception, Psychobiology, Learning and Memory, Experimental, Developmental, Systems Theory |
3 credits |
| Research Methods or Experimental Design |
3 credtis |
| Psychology |
9 credits |
Remaining credits must be in: a single coherent Human Services area, e.g. counseling, social work or rehabilitation services |
12 credits |
| Capstone - HSE 499 (culminating concentration course) |
3 credits |
| TOTAL |
36 |
Notes: Only grades of C of higher may be included in the concentration.
Three of the credits in psychology or in the applied area should focus on the dynamics of intervention with an individual, groups, the community, the family or an organization. Students also have the option of fulfilling some of the concentration requirements with the GRE subject test in Psychology.
The GRE Subject Test in Psychology, evaluated for 18 credits (15 lower, 3 upper) may be used to fulfill the 9 elective credit requirements in psychology within the Applied Behavioral Science Psychology concentration. The remainder of the GRE credits can be applied to the general electives portion of the degree.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate with a concentration in Applied Behavioral Science (Human Services) will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the different fields of psychology, sociology or political science and have an understanding of the sub-specialties of the respective discipline;
- understand and use quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in psychology, sociology or political science;
- write about topics in psychology, sociology or political science with clarity and organization; and
- demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge of intervention strategies (e.g., in counseling, social work, rehabilitation services or criminal justice settings) in the chosen discipline with individuals, groups, the community, the family or an organization.
Concentration Plan of Study Forms
The concentration plan of study (CPS) is the tool you will use to plan your degree completion program. The CPS form offers information on how subject requirements can be met. You may download the form below as a Microsoft Word document (form will open in a new window). To request a course subsitution in a CPS, use the
Request for Substitution Form. Additional information on the concentration is also available in the
Official Catalog.
Please Note: for prospective students this form should simply serve as a guide. Once you have matriculated (enrolled), you will receive personalized degree planning advice from your Academic Counselor.