Educational Psychology

Website: BA/BS - Department of Educational Psychology - The University of Utah

1721 Campus Center Drive SAEC 3220

Salt Lake City, Utah 84112

801-581-7148

The BA/BS degree in Educational Psychology will provide students with training and expertise in behavioral and mental health, services desperately needed locally and nationally. The degree differs from other human service degrees in that the course work and work-based learning experiences lead directly to competitive, high demand employment opportunities including certification as an assistant behavior analyst. Other human service degrees focus on the general theory of counseling and mental health; this degree teaches specific individual and group counseling interventions so that students leave with theory and skills. This degree further represents a bachelors-level extension of successful graduate programs within the Department of Educational Psychology (e.g., School Psychology, School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Counseling Psychology). Thus, students will not only be prepared to enter the job market upon graduation, but will also have the knowledge and skills to enter graduate programs within the behavioral and mental health field. This is particularly important and timely given that the University hopes to become a national leader in mental health delivery with a recent $150 million gift from the Huntsman family to establish a new mental health institute. It is the hope that graduates of this program will contribute directly to the mental health of Utah residents.

The BA/BS in Educational Psychology includes a broad educational psychology core that provides students with a foundation in learning, human development, social emotional skills, research and inquiry in education, the psychology of multiculturalism, and the use of technology as an instructional design tool. The applied educational psychology curriculum then helps students develop skills in counseling, problem-solving, evidence-based decision making, behavior change, consultation, collaboration, recognizing psychopathology, and facilitating group interventions. Students also learn about a broad range of conditions that impact learning and behavior such as autism and other disabilities and they develop as professional and ethical practitioners. Given that research demonstrates a stark misalignment between the talents employers demand and the skills graduates have as they enter the workforce (Francis & Auter, 2016), this degree is purposefully designed to provide students with the career readiness competencies employers value most in their new hires: critical thinking/problem solving, teamwork/collaboration, professionalism/work ethic, oral/written communications, digital technology, leadership, global/multi-cultural fluency, and career management (NACE, 2019).

In their final year in the program, students will participate in two supervised work-based learning experiences relevant to their interests and identified career path. For example, students interested in pursuing careers in the schools as a behavior analyst, school counselor, or school psychologist will be placed in local schools; students interested in careers as a home health aide, case manager, parole officer, child life advocate, behavioral technician, or counselor will be placed in an appropriate local organization or agency relevant to that career path. To provide formal documentation and supervision of these experiences, students will enroll in 3 credit hours of practicum in the Fall and 3 credit hours of practicum in the Spring. The faculty of these courses will apply for a Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Designation as these courses will incorporate community engagement and broader connections to society.

An undergraduate coordinator will help students identify relevant practicum experiences and create contracts between the school or organization and the University. Students will be supervised by an experienced professional on-site and the practicum instructor off-site within a classroom setting. On-site supervisors will help students translate classroom knowledge into real-world skills, complete mid-semester and end-of-semester student evaluation forms, and provide weekly individual supervision. Students will also attend a class associated with the practicum in which they participate in case consultation and group supervision to enhance their learning. These practicum experiences are integral to the major. Currently, only 53% of college students believe their major will lead to a good job and only 34% believe they will graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the job market (Gallup, 2017). By providing relevant, supervised practicum experiences, students will develop the work experience employers seek. Gallup found that students who engaged in work-based learning were more likely to find full-time employment after college (2016).

Educational Psychology BA/BS with:

• MEd Educational Psychology - Instructional Design and Educational Technology

https://majormaps.utah.edu/majors_list/view-major-map.php?plan_code=EDPS