Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Psychology and Human Development

Do you want to enrich the lives of children and adults every day? Do you want to understand the interface between human development and health, between psychology and the workplace, and between knowledge and action? If so, then a degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development is your first step. 

By the Numbers

35%

of our students go directly into graduate training

CDEP Survey

58%

of our students go directly into employment

CDEP Survey

Curriculum

The Applied Psychology and Human Development program in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development is a top choice among Boston College undergraduates.  Our focus is on meaningful learning in the classroom applied to real-world issues across local, national, and international contexts.

The program will help you:

  • Understand the key tasks and processes underlying human development from infancy to adulthood
  • Recognize how social and cultural contexts shape developmental and psychological processes
  • Learn key research methods and statistical approaches used to study human development and psychology
  • Gain skills in critically evaluating and translating scientific evidence from psychology and human development to real-world settings
  • Develop a specialized understanding of a targeted focus area of study to prepare for a range of further education and career pathways

Overview of the Program

There are three components to the APHD major:

1. Complete the six required core courses.


2. Select and complete one focus area.


3. Complete three major electives.

Core Courses

Required Courses

6 courses (18 credits)


 

6

Core Courses

CourseCourse TitleNotesCredits
APSY/EDUC1030Child DevelopmentRecommended to take first semester in program3
APSY/EDUC1031Family, School, and SocietyTake first year in program3

APSY2041

OR

APSY3244

Adolescent Development

OR

Adult Development & Aging

 3
APSY2216Applied Psychology Research Methods 3
APSY2217Statistics for Applied Psychology Typically taken after APSY2216: Research Methods
3
APSY2152Applied Psychology Practicum: Pathways Work & LifeJr. or Sr. standing3

Focus Areas

Focus Areas

3 courses (9 credits)

Students should select and declare a focus area by the end of the second year in the program. Consult EagleApps Course Information & Schedule for course availability.

3

Courses

Applied Psychology and Human Development (APSY) Electives

Electives

3 courses (9 credits)

Students should select 3 electives from the options below. Electives must differ from your 6 major core requirements and from the 3 courses in your selected focus area's requirements. No more than two elective courses should be from outside LSEHD.

 

CourseCourse Title/NotesCredits
1. Any Applied Psychology & Human Development (APSY) courseListing of approved APSY courses can be found on the Program of Study form and in the Sample List of Electives table below3
2. Any Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOCY) courseReview the EagleApps Course Schedule/Information for options3
3. Any of the following pre-approved electives. Additional courses may serve as electives upon approval from program director.
MGMT1021: Organizational Behavior
FORM2050: Transformative Teaching & Learning
ELHE7103: Education Law and Public Policy*
EDUC1044: Education and Development for Students with Disabilities
EDUC3308: Bilingualism in Schools and Communities
EDUC6495: Human Development and Disabilities
EDUC6496: Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder*
LREN7301: Principles of Fostering Learning* (2 cr)
LREN7302: Cognitive Task Analysis* (1 cr)
MESA6466: Program Evaluation
3

*Indicates graduate level course open to juniors/seniors with permission from course instructor.

Program Features

World-Renowned Faculty

Internationally recognized faculty in applied developmental, educational, and counseling psychology

Real-World Learning

A foundational six-course sequence in human development across the lifespan, the analytic tools central to social sciences, and the application of applied psychology to real-world settings

Purpose-driven Education

An integrated field placement and course that helps students identify their purpose, including future career and life aspirations

Flexibility

The flexibility to choose one of four focus areas: Human Services and Health Sciences; Organizational Studies and Human Capital; Policy, Advocacy and Community Change; or Science of Learning

Customization

A wide-ranging set of electives from within the program and across BC, so that each student can frame their major to meet their individual interests and career goals

Careers

  • PricewaterhouseCoopers, Associate
  • Oracle, Sales Representative
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, Research Assistant
  • Pegasystems, Human Resources Coordinator
  • Hill Holiday, Assistant Account Executive
  • Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Social Worker
  • Brandeis University, International Coordinator
  • Wellington Management, Business Associate
  • Starcom Media Vest, Junior Media Associate

Program Faculty

Why study psychology in a school of education?

The Applied Psychology and Human Development major in the Lynch School of Education emphasizes state of the art connections between research, theory, and practice. Through practica and community involvement, students gain real-world experience and graduate prepared to apply what they learned in an array of community, education, business, and policy settings.