BA Human Development and Learning: Degree Requirements

Summary of Program Curriculum

Overall: 120 credit hours
Core Program Requirements: 47 – 50 credits
General Education and other university courses: 70 – 73 credits.

Human Development and Learning Core (20 -21 credits) Heading link

All students must take the following  required courses or approved equivalents:

  • UIC First‐Year Dialogue Seminar (DLG 120)* – 1 credit hour
  • Introduction to Human Development and
    Learning (EPSY 100) – 3 credit hours
  • Child and Youth Policies in Urban America (ED 135) – 3 credit hours
  • Human Development and Learning
    Academic Success (EPSY 150)* – 2 credit hours
  • Principles of Learning and Instruction Across
    the Lifespan (EPSY 210) – 3 credit hours

*Required for first-year students only.

Lifespan Development Core Sequence (9 credit hours)

Students must take the following required courses:

  • Child Development in Contemporary Society (EPSY 255) – 3 credit hours
  • Adolescents Development in Contemporary Society (EPSY 256) – 3 credit hours
  • Adult Development and Aging in Contemporary Society (EPSY 257) – 3 credit hours

Research Core (6 credits) Heading link

Required:

  • Understanding and Applying  Research in Human Development  (EPSY 363) – 3 credit hours

Select one of the following electives:

  • Systematic Approaches to Program Quality (EPSY 416) – 3 credit hours
  • Educational Assessment and Evaluation (EPSY 405) – 3 credit hours
  • Assessment and Evaluation of Learning Outcomes and Instructional Products (EPSY 450) – 3 credit hours
  • Advanced Research Methods in Human Development and Learning (EPSY 373) – 3 credit hours
  • Assessment of Students with Disabilities (SPED 462) – 3 credit hours

Domains of Development and Learning Across the Lifespan (6 credits) Heading link

One course from at least two different domains/areas:

Cognitive Development, Learning, and Instruction

  • Constructivist Approaches to Development: Piaget and Vygotsky (EPSY 429) – 3 credit hours OR
  • Advanced Educational Psychology (ED 421)– 3 credit hours

Language Development, Language Acquisition and Learning

  • Language Development and Learning in a Diverse Society (ED 258)  (ED 258, counts for General Education Requirement:  Individual and Society and US Society.)  – 3 credit hours OR
  • Language Development, Diversity, and Disabilities (SPED/EPSY 466) – 3 credit hours

Physical Development

  • Introduction to Sexuality DevelopmentAcross the Lifespan (EPSY 242)– 3 credit hours OR
  • Child Health, Safety and Nutrition (EPSY 326) – 3 credit hours OR
  • Child Development, Health and Wellness (EPSY 426) – 3 credit hours

Self Processes and Identity Development

  • Self and Identity Development Across the Lifespan (EPSY 340) – 3 credit hours

Social Emotional Development and Learning

  • Understanding Children’s Social Development and Socialization in Urban Contexts (EPSY 320) – 3 credit hours OR
  • Social and Emotional Learning:  Research, Practice, and Policy (PSCH/ED 424) – 3 credit hours

Diverse Populations and Learning Contexts Heading link

Diverse Populations – Electives (3 credits)

All students must take one course focused on the psycho-social development, learning, health, and/or well-being of diverse individuals and/or families or that focuses on the ways that issues such as race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or culture affect learning and development of individuals.  This course is an elective but must be approved by an advisor.  Courses can be chosen from within the College of Education or across the University.  Examples include but are not limited to:

  • ED 205: Introduction to Race, Ethnicity, and Education
  • ED 222: Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Education (Both ED 205 and ED 222, count for General Education Requirements:  Individual and Society and US Society)
  • EPSY 242: Introduction to Sexuality Development Across the Lifespan
  • EPSY 320: Understanding Children’s Social Development and Socialization in Urban Contexts
  • EPSY 383: Critical Perspectives in Latinx Human Development
  • EPSY 420: Advanced Social Development of Children in an Urban Context
  • EPSY 424: Family Diversity and Films
  • SPED/EPSY 466: Language Development, Diversity, and Disabilities
  • SPED/EPSY 467: Social and Emotional Development and Disabilities.

Learning Contexts – Electives (3 credits)

Students must take one course specifically focused on learning and development in context.  Students can choose one of the following or an approved equivalent course:

  • EDPS 480: Youth Culture Community Organizing and Education
  • EPSY 414: Developing Programs for Youth in Urban Contexts
  • ED 445: Adolescence and the Schools
  • EPSY 370: Early Childhood Education and Curriculum
  • EPSY 371: Human Development and Learning in the Context of Institutions
  • EPSY 382: Child Family Community
  • EPSY 415: Fieldwork in Human Development and Learning as a selective
  • EPSY 424: Family Diversity and Film: A Resilience Framework
  • EPSY 471: Facilitating Healthy Development in the Context of Trauma
  • SPED 461: Political and Socio‐Cultural Perspectives on Special Education

HDL Electives (9 credits) Heading link

9 credits from Educational Psychology or related disciplines. HDL electives are taken after students have completed at least 12 hours of 100- and 200- level required HDL core coursework or the equivalent.  Courses are chosen in consultation with program advisor.

  • Choose from any Educational Psychology Course offerings at the 300- or 400- level in consultation with advisor.
  • Examples include but are not limited to:  EPSY 380:  Instructional Design and Training; EPSY 414; ED 421; ED 422: Advanced Developmental Psychology and Educational Processes; ED 445; EPSY 446: Characteristics of Early Adolescence; EPSY/SPED 449: Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education: Perspectives, Policies and History

Optional Concentrations

Students can earn up to two optional concentrations in HDL subdomains of interest. concentrations are available to students and appear on the student’s transcript when earned.

HDL Faculty Program Coordinator Heading link