Psychology and Human Development
College of Science, Math, and Nursing
Faculty
Dr. Joel Lynch, Chair
Dr. Amy Martin
Prof. Elaine Sharpe
The department offers two majors: Psychology and Human Development.
Psychology
Students in the Psychology major develop an understanding of human thought and behavior through active learning. Our interdisciplinary approach, grounded in science, and research reflection, encourages self-exploration and engagement with the community. This challenging course of study empowers students to develop to their fullest potential intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
Career Opportunities in Psychology
The Rockford University Psychology major prepares students equally well for both graduate training and for the world of work. Students enter career positions in areas such as mental health, educational services, social services, and personnel work. Others obtain positions in conventional business or social service settings not directly related to psychology, but in which psychological knowledge and skills may be applied. Students also pursue graduate degrees in counseling, health psychology, clinical psychology, industrial psychology, school psychology, developmental psychology, academic and research psychology, and more. Students also can choose coursework to prepare for graduate programs outside of psychology leading to professional specializations in business, social work, law, medicine, and education.
Human Development
The Human Development major combines theory with hands-on experience in the classroom and in the community. This practical, applied programming is interdisciplinary and includes coursework in psychology, education, philosophy, and sociology. The Human Development major offers three areas of concentration: child and adolescent development, aging studies, and lifespan development.
Career Opportunities in Human Development
Students pursue careers in areas such as child care, child welfare, child/adolescent/family therapy, school psychology, child protective services, court services, and mental health. Additionally, career opportunities in the field of aging are expected to experience great increase in the coming decades alone, far exceeding national averages. The fastest growing categories of employment will be those requiring a university degree or higher for entry level positions. The field of gerontology, specifically, will be creating new positions to meet the growing demand for services generated by the aging population. Graduates with a major in Human Development can pursue careers in a variety of areas including adult day care, assisted living communities, advocacy groups, case management, community organizations, counseling, elder law, government agencies, HMOs, hospitals, insurance companies, marketing, mental health, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, religious organizations, skilled nursing facilities, and transportation.
Internships
Four credit hours of internship are required of human development majors. Internships are available in child care facilities, schools, hospitals, community centers, substance abuse centers, older adult programs and facilities, law enforcement agencies, community mental health agencies, hospice, human resources, and community action programs. Sites for internships are available with clients of all ages: children, adolescents, and adults.