Psychology: Developmental Psychology, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Psychology, Developmental Psychology Concentration
Developmental psychology is the study of intellectual development, emerging personality, and the acquisition of language, as well as psychophysiological and social development processes as individuals develop from birth through old age.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Psychology, Developmental Psychology Concentration
Please see your academic advisor. A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours).
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 32-36 hours of Psychology courses.
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one introductory course from the following: | 4 | |
| Intro Psych | ||
PSYC 103 | ||
| Statistics course: | 3 | |
| Intro to Statistics (or equivalent) | ||
| Select three foundation courses from the following two groups including at least one from each group: | 9 | |
Select one or two foundation courses from the following group: | ||
| Intro to Brain and Cognition | ||
| Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Images of Mind | ||
| Cognitive Psych | ||
| Perception & Sensory Processes | ||
| Learning and Memory | ||
Select one or two foundation courses from the following group: | ||
| Intro to Social Psych | ||
| Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination | ||
| Psychopathology and Problems in Living | ||
| Community Psych | ||
| Industrial Org Psych | ||
| Psych of Personality | ||
| Concentration core course: | 3 | |
| Child Psych | ||
| Concentration research methods course: | 4 | |
| Developmental Child Psych Lab | ||
| Select four elective courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Psych of the Infant | ||
| The Teenage Years | ||
| Introduction to Intellectual Disability | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Psychology of Gender | ||
| Topics in Clin/Comm Psych (Stress & Resiliency in Childhood) | ||
| The Psychology of Aging | ||
| Intermediate Current Topics in Psychology (taught by faculty members in the Developmental Psychology Program area) | ||
| Language Acquisition | ||
| How Children Think | ||
| Personality and Soc Dev | ||
| Adv Current Topics in Psych (taught by faculty members in the Developmental Psychology program area) | ||
| Total Hours | 35 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Psychology, Developmental Psychology Concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| PSYC 100 | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PSYC 235 | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| PSYC 216 | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| PSYC Foundation course list 1 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PSYC Foundation course list 1 | 3 |
| PSYC Foundation course list 1 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| PSYC elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PSYC elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| PSYC 363 | 4 |
| PSYC elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| PSYC elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 12 | |
| Total Hours 12 | |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Psychology, Developmental Psychology Concentration
1. Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral phenomena. This includes 1.1) describing key concepts, principles and overarching themes; 1.2) developing a working knowledge of the different content or program areas in psychology; and 1.3) describing the application of psychology to everyday life.
2. Students will develop scientific reasoning and problem solving skills, including effective research methods. This includes 2.1) using scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena; 2.2) demonstrating psychology information literacy; 2.3) engaging in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving; 2.4) interpreting, designing, and conducting basic psychological research; and 2.5) incorporating sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry when appropriate.
3. Students will develop ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity. This goal encompasses 3.1) applying ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice; 3.2) building and enhancing interpersonal relationships; and 3.3) adopting values that build community at local, national, and global levels.
4. Students will be prepared to apply psychology‐specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project‐management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation to optimize their competitiveness for securing places in a graduate school, professional school, or in the workforce. For example, students should be able to 4.1) apply psychological content and skills to career goals; 4.2) demonstrate project‐management skills and teamwork capacity; and 4.3) develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Psychology, Developmental Psychology Concentration
department faculty: Psychology Faculty
advising: Psychology advising
overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
email: psych-advising@illinois.edu