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Twin Cities Campus
Developmental Psychology B.S.Institute of Child Development
College of Liberal Arts
Developmental psychology (formerly child psychology) focuses on behavioral development from the prenatal period to maturity. Students complete coursework in topic areas including social development, cognitive development, language development, emotional and behavioral disorders, biological development, and research methods. The Institute of Child Development offers a bachelor of arts (BA), a bachelor of science (BS), and a minor in developmental psychology through the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). Majors may not receive a second major or second baccalaureate degree in psychology.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
1 courses
before admission to the program.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Introduction to Child Psychology
This requirement may be in progress in order to declare the major.
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 2301 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
CPSY 3301 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
CPSY 3301H - Honors Introduction to Developmental Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students may earn no more than one undergraduate degree in developmental psychology: a BA, a BS, or a minor. Students may combine the BS in developmental psychology with the minor in psychology. CPSY majors may not also earn a second major or baccalaureate degree in Psychology.
At least 12 upper division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
All incoming CLA first-year (freshmen) must complete the First-Year Experience course sequence.
All incoming CLA first-year (freshmen) students earning a BA, BS, or BIS degree must complete the second-year career management course CLA 3002.
All students must complete a capstone in at least one CLA major. The requirements for double majors completing the capstone in a different CLA major will be clearly stated. Students must also complete all major requirements in both majors to allow the additional capstone to be waived. Student completing an addition degree must complete the capstone in each degree area.
Core Courses
Take exactly 4 course(s) totaling exactly 12 credit(s) from the following:
Social Development
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 4331 - Social and Personality Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4336 - Development and Interpersonal Relationships
(3.0 cr)
·
Cognitive Development
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling exactly 6 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 4341 - Perceptual Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4343 - Cognitive Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4345 - Language Development and Communication
(3.0 cr)
·
Biological Development
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 4329 - Biological Foundations of Development
(3.0 cr)
Statistical Analysis and Research Methods
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling 7 - 8 credit(s) from the following:
·
EPSY 3264 - Basic and Applied Statistics
[MATH]
(3.0 cr)
or
PSY 3801 - Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
SOC 3811 - Social Statistics
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
STAT 3011 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
PSY 3801 - Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
PSY 3801H - Honors Introduction to Psychological Measurement and Data Analysis
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 3308W - Introduction to Research Methods in Child Psychology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Developmental Contexts and Applications
Topics course must be taken for at least 3 credits to count toward this requirement.
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling 6 - 8 credit(s) from the following:
CPSY 1334 - Global Issues on Children and Youth in Society
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
or
CPSY 3601 - Introduction to Child Life Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
or
CPSY 4310 - Special Topics in Developmental Psychology
(1.0-4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4311 - Behavioral and Emotional Problems of Children
(3.0 cr)
or
CPSY 4313W - Disabilities and Development
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Directed Research
Take 2 - 6 course(s) totaling exactly 6 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 4994 - Directed Research in Developmental Psychology
(1.0-4.0 cr)
Electives
No single course may count twice in the major.
Take exactly 3 course(s) totaling exactly 9 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 1301 - Nature-Based Learning in Early Childhood
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 1334 - Global Issues on Children and Youth in Society
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 2310 {Inactive}
(1.0-4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 3401 - Children, Youth, and Media
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 3601 - Introduction to Child Life Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4302 - Infant Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4303 - Adolescent Psychology
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4310 - Special Topics in Developmental Psychology
(1.0-4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4311 - Behavioral and Emotional Problems of Children
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4313W - Disabilities and Development
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4314 - Trauma-Informed Care Practices in Early Childhood
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4329 - Biological Foundations of Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4331 - Social and Personality Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4336 - Development and Interpersonal Relationships
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4341 - Perceptual Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4343 - Cognitive Development
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4345 - Language Development and Communication
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 5241 - Field Experience in Early Childhood Education
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 5251W - Social and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 5252 - Facilitating Social and Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Education
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 5253 - Facilitating Cognitive and Language Learning in Early Childhood Education
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 5261 - Early Learning in Infancy and Toddlerhood
(3.0 cr)
·
Internship in Child Psychology
Must be taken for exactly 3 credits to count toward this requirement.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) totaling 0 - 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 3896 - Internship in Child Psychology
(1.0-4.0 cr)
Capstone
The purpose of the Capstone is to bring together important themes and concepts that students have learned about throughout their undergraduate experience. Students will use that knowledge to find and coherently summarize the intersection of a topic of their choosing with a key developmental topic focused on in this course.
Students who double major within CLA and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major may waive the Developmental Psychology capstone, but they do need to replace the 3 credits with another CPSY elective course. Double majors whose second major is outside of CLA are required to complete the Developmental Psychology capstone.
Non-Honors Sequence
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 4347W - Child Psychology Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
Honors Sequence
Honors students seeking to complete the honors thesis in developmental psychology should follow this sequence. Students should take CPSY 3360H in the fall of their junior year. Students must take at least 3 credits of CPSY 4994V, but it is typically taken twice for 2 credits each time, in the fall and spring of a student's senior year.
Take 2 or more course(s) totaling 4 - 6 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 3360H - Child Psychology Honors Seminar
(2.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4994V {Inactive}
[WI]
(1.0-6.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 3308W - Introduction to Research Methods in Child Psychology
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4313W - Disabilities and Development
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4347W - Child Psychology Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4994V {Inactive}
[WI]
(1.0-6.0 cr)
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PSTL 1281/Psy 1001/Psy 1001H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PSTL 1281/Psy 1001/Psy 1001H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3264/EPsy 5261 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Psy 3801/Psy 3801H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AnSc 3011/ESPM 3012/Stat 3011/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Psy 3801/Psy 3801H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Psy 3801/Psy 3801H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 16.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Prerequisites: | CPsy honors student |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |