2024-2025 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook
Bachelor of Arts in Human Development
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Return to: Academic Programs Offered at Pacific Oaks College
Locations: Pasadena, Online, and off-campus locations (availability of off-campus locations depends on enrollment)
Total Credit Hours Required: 120
Maximum Allowable Transfer Credits: 87
Program Admissions Requirements: Program-specific admissions requirements can be found here: Admissions Policies
Tuition and Fees: Tuition and fees for the College and individual programs can be found here: Financial Aid and Student Accounts Policies
Number of Admit Terms per Year
Pasadena: 3
Online: 6
- Fall Sessions I & II
- Spring Sessions I & II
- Summer Sessions I & II
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Human Development focuses on youth, adolescents, adults, older adults and their families and the social contexts in which development and growth takes place. Students gain foundational knowledge and appreciation for the varied arcs of development across the continuum from typical to atypical. Each domain of study is grounded in respect for the time, space, and socio-political context in which development occurs. Students are immersed in a multi-disciplinary curriculum through coursework aimed at developing a holistic lens of empowerment, equity and social justice. The attainment of applied experience is critical for students who are committed to and engaged in their communities.
Field experiences at an approved site are part of the program.
Concentrations are additional areas of focus that are designed to immerse students in a more specific area of the developmental process. Some concentrations are available only in Pasadena.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
Development: Students comprehend and analyze developmental and ecological theories impacting Human Development.
Diversity: Students value diversity, demonstrate commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion. They are able to identify and analyze the dynamics of institutional and individual biases and the use of power.
Communication: Students implement and analyze individual, dyadic and group communications for efficacy, clarity, appropriate audience reception, authenticity, and experience of empowerment for self and others.
Research: Students are able to distinguish between observations and theory in published research. Students create original research, present their findings, and link their research with existing literature in the field.
Praxis: Students develop a philosophy of learning reflective of developmental theories guided by observation and grounded in a lens of equity and multiculturalism. Students evaluate these actions based on results and their impact on other persons, groups and systems (ethics, values, principles and empowerment). Students learn to incorporate developmentally and culturally appropriate practice with individuals and systems. Praxis will involve activities such as practica, fieldwork or student teaching.
Program-Specific Requirements
Credit Requirements
40 credits in General Education
18 credits in Human Development
12 credits in the selected concentration
50 elective Credits
120 total credits
This is a year-round program, including enrollment in summer. On-ground attendance includes fall and spring 16-week semesters and a 12-week summer semester. Online attendance includes two 8-week terms in fall and spring, and two 6-week terms in summer.
A full-time student entering with 0 credits and successfully completing 12 credits per semester would have a time-to-completion of ten semesters, which is equivalent to 3 1/3 years, or 40 months.
Fieldwork Requirements
Fieldwork is a required component of the program. Fieldwork includes study and learning that consists of practical and applied activities completed outside of the classroom or typical learning environment. Each student is required to engage in 45 hours of service at an approved fieldwork or internship site during the semester enrolled in the fieldwork course.
Residence requirement
All credits earned in courses offered by Pacific Oaks College are considered PO residence hours, regardless of whether the courses are taken on-line, on-ground, at instructional sites or at off-campus cohort locations. Credits earned from institutions other than Pacific Oaks College are considered non-resident credits. All students must complete a minimum of 30 residence hours to complete the program.
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development, students must successfully complete the following:
- The approved program consisting of at least 30 credits completed in residency at Pacific Oaks; and
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all coursework attempted at the College.
Students must submit the Petition for Degree Completion and fee to the Office of the Registrar during the semester before they anticipate completing their degree requirements. Students must also settle all outstanding fees with the Student Accounts Office, satisfy any deficiencies, and be in good standing in their program for the bachelor’s degree to be awarded.
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