B.S.Ed. in Community and Applied Psychological Studies

Overview

The major in Community and Applied Psychological Studies (CAPS) focuses on the promotion of healthy development and well-being. It prepares students to work with people in multiple contexts and settings:

• health and human services
• schools, universities, and community programs
• government and non-government agencies
• grass-roots movements
• socially responsible business and entrepreneurial organizations

By exploring the scholarly and practical interconnections among individual, interpersonal, social, and community approaches to change, students learn to identify barriers to well-being and to implement effective change-oriented strategies and policies. CAPS coursework emphasizes theory, research, and skills. It culminates in a practicum in a setting related to students’ area of interest and prepares them for both graduate studies and careers.

CAPS students must declare an approved second major or a minor either in the School of Education or through any other school or college.

Requirements for Graduation

I. Candidates for B.S.Ed. with a major in Community and Applied Psychological Studies (CAPS) must complete at least 120 credit hours of work,  achieve a cumulative 2.5 grade point average, and are subject to the regulations concerning the major specified in  each departmental program.

Advanced Communication Skills Requirement:

Every student majoring in Community and Applied Psychological Studies will fulfill the  Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Requirement upon completing their major courses.  Upper-Level Communication courses have a prerequisite requirement of  WRS 105 and WRS 106/WRS 107/ENG 106 [with permission] and will be identified as either writing-intensive or as an oral/verbal communication proficiency course. Digital competency will also be evaluated as part of written and oral competency assessments. Writing-intensive courses require a minimum of 2500 written words; assignments will be assessed for analytical ability, synthesis of information, grammar, content and style. Courses designated as oral/verbal proficiency classes will provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their presentation skills using accurate, standard English structure and syntax, non-verbal cues and gestures, as well as audience-appropriate language. In the CAPS major,  EPS 321, EPS 371, and EPS 579 are designated as Upper-Level Communication courses and meet the University's Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Requirement.

Mathematics

B.S.Ed. degree candidates in the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies are required to take EPS 351. This course fulfills a Math requirement for the CAPS major. Prior to taking EPS 351, students must complete MTH 101. If a student has earned college credit based on results from AP, IB, examination scores and/or dual enrollment, all course transcripts must be sent to the Registrar's Office before enrollment.

ADDITIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Students majoring in CAPS must complete a Diversity requirement that is fulfilled by taking one of the following courses:  EPS 411, EPS 412, or EPS 430. Students should discuss this requirement with their advisor.
• CAPS majors must maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.3 with a grade of “C” or better in all courses in the major.
• B.S.Ed. majors in Community and Applied Psychological Studies are required to declare a minor. or may declare an approved second major or a minor in the School of Education and Human Development or through any other UM school or college.
• Electives may be chosen from any courses offered by the University. The student should consult an advisor before selecting elective courses. At least 6 credit hours must be at the 300-level or above.

Graduating seniors are required to participate in the General Education Assessment before graduation as part of the SACS review process. Direct all inquiries about your degree and progress toward completion to your academic advisor in the SEHD.

Curriculum Requirements

Community and Applied Psychological Studies

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This course fulfills the Quantitative Skills requirement.

Suggested Plan of Study

Community and Applied Psychological Studies

Mission

The major in Community and Applied Psychological Studies (CAPS) seeks to train leading thinkers, professionals, and future scholars in the pursuit of innovative, scientific, and practical approaches to the promotion of healthy development and well-being. Students are exposed to scholarly and applied knowledge bases regarding the interconnectedness of personal, interpersonal, institutional, and community change, barriers to healthy development and well-being at these levels, and strategies and policies that promote well-being in individuals, families, and communities.

Goals

The CAPS major prepares students to enter competitive graduate programs and to work with people in multiple contexts and settings, including: 

• health and human services
• schools, universities, and community programs
• government and non-government agencies
• grass-roots movements
• socially responsible corporations.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the field including intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, and community development and well-being; common barriers to well-being at various ecological levels; and strategies to promote healthy development and well-being in individuals, institutions, and communities.
• Students will demonstrate reflective and critical thinking skills.
• Students will demonstrate superior and skillful writing proficiency using language and grammar accurately, efficiently and effectively.