Minor in Applied Human Development

Particularly attuned to the mission of Wheelock, the study of Applied Human Development (AHD) prepares students to address critical issues of child and youth advocacy, the psychological and emotional well-being of diverse individuals, and the creation of more equitable and just institutions that allow all people to grow and thrive. The AHD minor is open to all undergraduate students across Boston University and is a good choice for those interested in careers that involve children, youth, and emerging adults in a wide variety of settings (e.g., school, community/neighborhood, legal, medical, and other applied settings), and includes the opportunity to integrate knowledge, theory, and practice in community-based internship sites.

For the 24-credit minor, students complete four foundational courses and choose one of two tracks: 1) Youth Development, Justice & Advocacy or 2) Developmental & Educational Psychology. Those choosing the Youth Development, Justice & Advocacy track will explore positive youth development and youth advocacy in legal settings, child development as it relates to current issues of social justice such as school discipline and delinquency, and policy and practice related to legal reform and school reform. Those choosing the Developmental & Educational Psychology track will explore human development across the lifespan in both local and international contexts, understand the role of culture, family, and social systems in mediating individual outcomes, and examine the conditions necessary for optimal development and well-being in children and youth, with a particular focus on school and educational settings.

Students intending to declare a minor must complete a Minor Declaration form in the records/advising offices of their home school.

Requirements for the Minor in Applied Human Development

The 24-credit minor offers 12 credits of foundational coursework, including human development, positive youth development, working with multicultural populations, and an internship experience; and 12 credits of focused coursework in one of two tracks: 1) Youth Development, Justice & Advocacy or 2) Developmental & Educational Psychology.

Foundation Courses (12 credits)

  • SED CE 305 Introduction to Human Development (3 cr)
  • SED CE 341 Working with Multicultural Populations (3 cr)
  • SED HD 400 72-hour Internship & Seminar (2 cr)
  • SED YJ 360 Positive Youth Development (4 cr)

Track Requirements (12 credits)

Youth Development, Justice & Advocacy Track

  • SED YJ 201 Introduction to Youth Justice & Advocacy (4 cr)
  • SED YJ 380 Youth Advocacy (4 cr)
  • Choose one:
    • SED YJ 301 Juvenile Courts & Law (4 cr)
    • SED YJ 302 Causes & Prevention of Delinquency (4 cr)

Developmental & Educational Psychology Track

  • Choose two core courses:
    • SED HD 224 Emotional Development (4 cr)
    • SED HD 300 Emotional Psychology (4 cr)
    • SED HD 354 Achievement Gap (4 cr)
  • Choose one:
    • SED HD 211 Student Motivation (4 cr)
    • SED HD 311 African American School Achievement (4 cr)
    • SED HD 316 Children’s Political Lives (4 cr)
    • SED HD 327 Asian American Psychology (4 cr)
    • SED HD 330 Psychology of Race (4 cr)
    • SED HD 362 Meaning & Development of Play (4 cr)
    • SED HD 385 Psychological Trauma (4 cr)