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


Requirements


  • Courses: 12
  • Credits: 36
  • Field Practicum

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.