Earning a degree in child psychology
The Institute of Child Development,
as the Department of Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota,
offers both a B.A. and a B.S. degree in child psychology (CPsy).
However, while the Institute is housed in the College of
Education and Human Development, the child psychology
degrees are College of Liberal Arts (CLA) degrees. All
undergraduate CPsy courses are considered CLA courses;
they count toward the CLA graduation requirement. The B.A. degree emphasizes basic processes in development
and serves primarily those students planning to pursue advanced degrees in
psychology, education, medicine, law, sociology, and other behavioral
sciences.
- B.A. preparatory courses (Lower
Division) 8 cr
- CPsy requirements: (Upper Division) 31-34 cr (See below for detailed course
requirements)
The B.S. degree combines intensive training in
developmental psychology with in-depth work in related fields and
practical field experience. This degree is designed for students planning
careers and additional training in such areas as early childhood
education, counseling, and human service programs. Courses leading to licensure in
early childhood education,
developmental disabilities, and
parent education may be taken as a part of
students' college work while pursuing (or subsequent to obtaining) their
B.S. degree.
- B.S. preparatory courses (lower
division) 8 cr
- CPsy requirements: (upper division)
38-41 cr (See below for detailed course
requirements)
Coursework required for the child psychology major
B.A. in child psychology
Degree requirements
Students must complete at least 120 credits to graduate, including two
preparatory courses and 31-34 additional credits in the major. Major credits*
are distributed among core courses, methods courses, a senior project,
and electives.
*CPSY 4993, 5251, 5252, and 5253 cannot be used for the child
psychology
undergraduate major. These courses are designed for early childhood
education majors only.
A. Prerequisites:
Level I: (8 credits)
Psy 1001—General Psychology
CPSY 2301—Introductory Child Psychology
B. Major requirements (31-34 credits)
Level II: Methods courses:
CPSY 3308—Research Methods
EPSY 3264, Soc
3811, or STAT 3011 (Statistics)
Level III: Core courses: (Taken in any order, except Sr. Project)
CPSY 4331—Social Development and Personality
Two of the following courses:
- CPSY 4341—Perceptual Development 3cr
- CPSY 4343—Cognitive Development 3cr
- CPSY 4345—Language Development 3cr
Electives: (15-16 CPSY credits) - all CPSY credits
Final project
Senior project CPSY 4347W (2 cr) (either literature review or
research project) must be completed before graduation. Senior Status Required to Register
How to apply
B.S. in child psychology
Degree requirements
To complete the B.S. in child psychology, students must complete at least
120 credits, including two preparatory courses and 38-41 additional
credits in the major. Major credits* are distributed among core courses, a
methods course, a senior project, and electives.
*CPSY 4993, 5251, 5252, and 5253 cannot be used for the CPSY
undergraduate major. These courses are designed for early childhood
education majors only.
A. Prerequisites:
Level I: (8 credits)
Psy 1001—General Psychology
CPSY 2301—Introductory Child Psychology
B. Major requirements (40-42 credits)
Level II: Methods courses:
CPSY 3308—Research Methods
EPSY 3264, Soc
3811, or STAT 3011 (Statistics) or equivalent
EPSY 5243, or EPSY 5849 (Methods of Evaluation)
Level III: Core courses: (Taken in any order, except the senior
project)
CPSY 4331—Social Development and Personality
Two of the following courses:
- CPSY 4341—Perceptual Development 3cr
- CPSY 4343—Cognitive Development 3cr
- CPSY 4345—Language Development 3cr
CPSY 4994—Directed Research in Child Psychology
and/or CPSY 4994—Internship) [4 cr total]
CPSY 4329—Biological Foundations of Development
CPSY 4334W—Children, Youth and Society
CPSY 4311—Behavioral and Emotional Problems of Children or
CPSY 4313—Disabilities and Development
One CPSY elective (3-4 cr)
Final project
Senior project CPSY 4347W (2 cr) (either literature review or research
project) must be completed before graduation. Senior Status Required
to Register
Minor in child psychology requirements
Students take the required preparatory courses: CPSY 2301—Introductory
Child Psychology and Psy 1001—Introduction to Psychology. To complete the
minor, students take CPSY 3308—Introduction to Research Methods; two
courses (8 cr) from CPSY 4329, 4331, 4343; and one CPSY elective (4 cr).
How to apply
Note
The Institute is housed in the College
of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.
However, the child psychology degrees are College
of Liberal Arts (CLA) degrees. All undergraduate child psychology courses
are considered CLA
courses and they count toward the CLA graduation requirements.
More information:
How to apply
About the program
Special programs for undergraduates in child
psychology
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