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Offered by the Department of Psychological Studies in Education, the Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Community Engagement (HDCE) prepares students to influence the programs, policies and practices of schools, agencies and governmental bodies. Graduates with this major will be prepared for careers in areas such as non-profit programming, human services, and other fields that require the application and understanding of human development. This program provides the training needed to understand factors that impede or facilitate the cognitive, social and physical development of individuals, particularly in urban communities.

This program includes coursework in child development, intercultural communication, research and program evaluation methods, organizational development, urban education, and leadership. The HDCE major nurtures future professionals who are committed to serving their community. A unique feature of the major is the opportunity for undergraduate students to gain practical, hands-on experience through a year-long practicum and internship at a local community organization.

In order to tailor the degree to students' interests and goals, students are required to select and complete courses in one of the following concentrations:

Applied Behavior Analysis: Students will specialize their knowledge in Applied Behavior Analysis. They will learn to apply behavior analytic skills to tackle problems important to society in a variety of settings such as educational institutions, behavioral health, and community organizations. This coursework meets the coursework requirements for the Board-Certified assistant Behavior Analyst Examination® and is a BACB verified course sequence.
Community Education: Students concentrating in Community Education are interested in working in community related educational settings. They will master the theories and the techniques of teaching effectively outside the classroom. They will learn to tailor instructional approaches to the unique circumstances of widely diverse communities. Students with this concentration are interested in pursuing job opportunities at out-of-school-time programs, early learning centers, community and recreation centers, museums and more.
Human Services: Human services is a broadly defined field that seeks to improve the overall quality of life of individuals (with particular focus on children and vulnerable populations) through the prevention and remediation of problems. Students will gain theoretical and practical understanding of various psychological constructs at the individual and societal levels. This concentration prepares students for entry-level positions and graduate degree programs in fields such as school psychology, counseling psychology, and social work.
Non-Profit Management and Social Entrepreneurship: Students concentrating in Non-Profit Management and Social Entrepreneurship will gain an understanding of the non-profit sector and for-profits focused on social, cultural, and environmental change. They will gain insight about the issues that leaders face in this growing field and learn how to communicate in order to lead systemic change in communities and organizations. They will also learn about the design and structure of financial management, nonprofit and social enterprise organizations, revenue generation, and strategic and project-based management.