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.
Students choose between three areas of concentration (tracks).
- Track I: Individual and Relational Development (Track Code: HSDI)
This track emphasizes individual, relational, and family well-being. Focusing on context and diversity in mental health and on strength-based, preventive, and empowering approaches, courses cover family studies, counseling theories and techniques, interviewing skills, and the basics of human service work. Students are well-prepared for graduate study in the helping professions and careers in health and human services. - Track II: Community and Program Development (Track Code: HSDC)
This track promotes healthy individual and community development by emphasizing how social, institutional, and community dynamics affect personal well-being. Stressing the role of non-government agencies in fostering well-being for people with diverse backgrounds, HSDC prepares students to diagnose institutional and community challenges and offer strategies for positive change. Courses include community-focused planning, needs assessment, and change strategies and nonprofit program development, implementation, and evaluation. Students are well prepared for graduate study in community psychology and public policy and careers in community organizations. - Track III: Human and Social Development Studies (Track Code: HSDS)
This is a general track which offers a menu of courses relating to individual and community development. HSDS students are free to combine classes from the Individual (HSDI) and Community (HSDC) tracks. This track meets the needs of students who seek greater flexibility in course work and are less concerned with specializing in the individual or community tracks.
CAPS students must declare an approved second major or a minor either in the School of Education or through any other school or college.
Curriculum Requirements
Community and Program Development Track (HSDC)
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements 39-42 Credits | ||
EPS 201 | Psychosocial Change and Well-being | 3 |
EPS 270 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
EPS 291 | Community and Character Development | 3 |
MGT 304 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
EPS 311 | Group Processes and Development | 3 |
EPS 321 | Understanding Human Service Organizations | 3 |
EPS 351 | Introduction to Statistics and Research Design | 3 |
EPS 361 | Community Psychology and Development | 3 |
EPS 371 | Applied Social Research Methods (Select Three courses from the following list) | 3 |
EPS 452 | Community Program Development and Evaluation | 3 |
EPS 462 | Community Consultation and Leadership | 3 |
EPS 578 | Human and Social Development Practicum | 3-6 |
EPS 579 | Human and Social Development Practicum Seminar | 3 |
Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
Other Required Courses | ||
ENG 105 | English Composition I | 3 |
ENG 106 | English Composition II | 3 |
MTH 101 | Algebra for College Students (or elective) | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate Courses | 9 | |
STEM Cognate Courses | 9 | |
Minor | 15 | |
General Electives | 36 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Curriculum Requirements
Human and Social Development Studies Track (HSDS)
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements 39-42 Credits | ||
EPS 201 | Psychosocial Change and Well-being | 3 |
EPS 270 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
EPS 291 | Community and Character Development | 3 |
EPS 311 | Group Processes and Development | 3 |
EPS 321 | Understanding Human Service Organizations | 3 |
EPS 351 | Introduction to Statistics and Research Design | 3 |
EPS 361 | Community Psychology and Development | 3 |
EPS 371 | Applied Social Research Methods (Select Three courses from the following list) | 3 |
EPS 578 | Human and Social Development Practicum | 6 |
EPS 579 | Human and Social Development Practicum Seminar | 3 |
Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
Select three courses from the following list: | 9 | |
Introduction to Family Studies: Dating, Coupling, Parenting | ||
Psychological Study of Children, Families, and the Law | ||
The Psychology of Diversity | ||
Migration, Well Being, and Human Development | ||
Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy | ||
Listening and Helping Skills. | ||
Community Program Development and Evaluation | ||
Community Consultation and Leadership | ||
Organizational Behavior | ||
Other Required Courses | ||
ENG 105 | English Composition I | 3 |
ENG 106 | English Composition II | 3 |
MTH 101 | Algebra for College Students (or elective) | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate Courses | 9 | |
STEM Cognate Courses | 9 | |
Minor | 15 | |
General Electives | 33 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Curriculum Requirements
Individual and Relational Development Track (HSDI)
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements 39-42 Credits | ||
EPS 201 | Psychosocial Change and Well-being | 3 |
EPS 270 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
EPS 280 | Introduction to Family Studies: Dating, Coupling, Parenting | 3 |
EPS 291 | Community and Character Development | 3 |
EPS 311 | Group Processes and Development | 3 |
EPS 321 | Understanding Human Service Organizations | 3 |
EPS 351 | Introduction to Statistics and Research Design | 3 |
EPS 361 | Community Psychology and Development | 3 |
EPS 371 | Applied Social Research Methods (Select Three courses from the following list) | 3 |
EPS 420 | Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
EPS 440 | Listening and Helping Skills. | 3 |
EPS 578 | Human and Social Development Practicum | 6 |
EPS 579 | Human and Social Development Practicum Seminar | 3 |
Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
Other Required Courses | ||
ENG 105 | English Composition I | 3 |
ENG 106 | English Composition II | 3 |
MTH 101 | Algebra for College Students (or elective) | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate Courses | 9 | |
STEM Cognate Courses | 9 | |
General Electives | 30 | |
Free Electives | 6 | |
Minor | 15 | |
Total Credit Hours | 123 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Community and Program Development Track (HSDC)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
EPS 201 | Psychosocial Change and Well-being | 3 |
EPS 270 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
ENG 105 | English Composition I | 3 |
MTH 101 | Algebra for College Students (or elective) | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
UMX 100 | The University of Miami Experience | 0 |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 311 | Group Processes and Development | 3 |
ENG 106 | English Composition II | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Minor or General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 291 | Community and Character Development | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Minor | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 321 | Understanding Human Service Organizations | 3 |
EPS 361 | Community Psychology and Development | 3 |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Minor | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 371 | Applied Social Research Methods | 3 |
HSDC Track Elective | 3 | |
Minor | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 351 | Introduction to Statistics and Research Design | 3 |
EPS 452 or 462 | Community Program Development and Evaluation or Community Consultation and Leadership | 3 |
Minor | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 452 or 462 | Community Program Development and Evaluation or Community Consultation and Leadership | 3 |
Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 578 | Human and Social Development Practicum | 3-6 |
EPS 579 | Human and Social Development Practicum Seminar | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective (if needed) | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Human and Social Development Studies Track (HSDS)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
EPS 201 | Psychosocial Change and Well-being | 3 |
EPS 270 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
ENG 105 | English Composition I | 3 |
MTH 101 | Algebra for College Students (or elective) | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
UMX 100 | The University of Miami Experience | 0 |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 311 | Group Processes and Development | 3 |
ENG 106 | English Composition II | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Minor or General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 291 | Community and Character Development | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Minor | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 12 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 321 | Understanding Human Service Organizations | 3 |
EPS 361 | Community Psychology and Development | 3 |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Minor | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 371 | Applied Social Research Methods | 3 |
HSDC Track Elective | 3 | |
Minor | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 351 | Introduction to Statistics and Research Design | 3 |
HSDC Track Elective | 3 | |
Minor | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
HSDC Track Elective | 3 | |
Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 578 | Human and Social Development Practicum | 6 |
EPS 579 | Human and Social Development Practicum Seminar | 3 |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective (if needed) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 18 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Individual and Relational Development Track (HSDI)
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
EPS 201 | Psychosocial Change and Well-being | 3 |
EPS 270 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
ENG 105 | English Composition I | 3 |
MTH 101 | Algebra for College Students (or elective) | 3 |
UMX 100 | The University of Miami Experience | 0 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 280 | Introduction to Family Studies: Dating, Coupling, Parenting | 3 |
EPS 311 | Group Processes and Development | 3 |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
ENG 106 | English Composition II | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 291 | Community and Character Development | 3 |
EPS 361 | Community Psychology and Development | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 321 | Understanding Human Service Organizations | 3 |
EPS 361 | Community Psychology and Development | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | |
Minor Course or General Elective | 3 | |
STEM Cognate | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 371 | Applied Social Research Methods | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | |
Minor Course | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 420 or 440 | Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy or Listening and Helping Skills. | 3 |
Minor Course | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
EPS 420 or 440 | Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy or Listening and Helping Skills. | 3 |
Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
General Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
EPS 578 | Human and Social Development Practicum | 6 |
EPS 579 | Human and Social Development Practicum Seminar | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Minor Elective (if needed) | ||
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
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.