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What is Human Development and Psychological Services (HDPS)?
The Human Development and Psychological Services concentration examines the influences of the family, the schools, the community and the workplace on human development. Students in the program are exposed to both systems and individual approaches to the study of human psychopathology, growth and adaptation.
Core course work addresses:
- Lifespan human development
- Counseling
- Intervention strategies
- Group dynamics
- Social policy and the human services
Additional course work in the concentration is drawn from:
- African American Studies
- Anthropology
- Cognitive Science
- Gender Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Abnormal
- Developmental
- Counseling
- Personality
- Sociology
- Communication Studies
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
What are the degree requirements?
Students in the HDPS concentration (or major) earn a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy (BSEd). Forty-five credits (or courses) are required for the degree. View a brief description of each course. There are four broad requirement areas for the HDPS major:
- Concentration Requirements
- Core Requirements
- Distribution Requirements
- Elective Credits
- 18 credits of concentration courses
- Introduction to Psychological Services (HDPS 201)
- Introduction to Counseling (HDPS 301)
- Three of the following four courses:
- Human Personality (HDPS 302)
- Program Develpoment and Implementation (SESP 303)
- Social Policy and the Human Services (SOC POL 304)
- Group Dynamics (HDPS 311)
- 13 courses from the approved concentration course list (four of which must be at the 300 level). Approved courses may be taken from within SESP and across Northwestern, including (but not limited to) the following departments:
- African American Studies
- Anthropology
- Cognitive Science
- Gender Studies
- History
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Abnormal
- Developmental
- Counseling
- Personality
- Sociology
- Communication Studies
- Communication Sciences and Disorders
- 8 credits of core courses
- Introduction to Statistics and Research Methods (SESP 201)
- Methods of Observing Human Behavior (SESP 372)
- Childhood and Adolescence (SESP 201) or Adulthood and Aging (SESP 203)
- 1 Development class chosen from:
- Childhood and Adolescence (SESP 201)
- Introduction to Community Development (SESP 202)
- Adulthood and Aging (SESP 203)
- Moral Values and Human Development (SESP 316)
- Gender and the Life Course (SESP 317)
- Adult Development and Work Careers (SESP 318)
- Learning and Understanding (LOC 212)
- 4 practicum credits (SESP 383 and SESP 385)
- 10 credits of distribution (general education) courses
- 2 science courses
- 2 formal studies (math, logic, etc.) courses
- 2 historical studies courses
- 2 values (philosophy, religion, etc.) courses
- 2 literature and arts courses
- For a complete list of courses that currently fulfill the distribution requirements, click here.
- Up to seven (7) distribution credits may be fulfilled by AP or IB credit. View detailed information regarding test credit.
- NOTE - SESP does not have a language requirement. We do, however, strongly encourage students to develop their skills in another language.
- 9 credits of elective courses
- Any courses of the student's choosing (with some minor exceptions)
To learn more about the numerous course offerings at Northwestern, view the undergraduate catalogue.
Second Majors and Minors
HDPS students may earn a second major in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (WCAS). Many HDPS students earn a second major or minor in Psychology, Gender Studies, Sociology, etc. For full details regarding second majors or minors, refer to the SESP Student Handbook.
Interdisciplinary Specialization
An Interdisciplinary Specialization is a set of five classes within the concentration, organized around a particular area of interest, such as:
- Child development
- Communication
- Pre-medical studies
- Family Development
The Interdisciplinary Specialization does not appear on the student's transcript, but is an effective planning tool. HDPS students interested in an interdisciplinary specialization should consult with Susan Olson, the HDPS Advisor.
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