2017-2018

Applied Human Behavior, Undergraduate Certificate

NAU Yavapai

Provost Office

This certificate engages students in questions such as “How and why do social systems work?” and “How can we find solutions to behavioral and social problems inside our human organizations?” The program also applies theory and practice to leadership and managing diversity.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2018

  • To receive an undergraduate certificate (at least 15 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

    Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the "Details" tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 15
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

The Applied Human Behavior Certificate program prepares students to enter into the human behavior field at an introductory level within case management, advocacy, mental health and health technician services working with a wide range of client populations including mental health, children, families, health care, mental health, education/schools, advocacy programs, policy and human resources.  Course content provides students with a familiarization of the theoretical principles, most relevant modalities of treatment, and current operational aspects of social systems they are most likely to encounter in human service settings today. In order to complete this certificate students are required to evidence the ability to reflect on their personal development, utilize professionally based skills and strategies, and think critically in applying resources to: identify operational aspects of social systems, how they impact human behavior and contribute to behavioral and social problems; and develop potential solutions to human-relational issues at varying levels within organizations. 
 
This certificate emphasizes a general understanding of the importance of social science research in professional settings and academic environments, Students are expected to develop writing skills consistent with academic social science formatting including how to use peer reviewed research to complete the certificate coursework. Additionally, this certificate requires students to develop the use of social media skills to create professional contacts, resources, and opportunities to further career opportunities post-graduation.
 
Students who earn this certificate will have an introductory understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of human behavior treatment and be able to practically apply this knowledge within an appropriate scope of practice in a wide range of private and community service organizations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Theory:  Understanding of the historical development of theory within behavioral health.  Exploration of most influential theories and current significant theoretical sociological, social work, and psychological models of human behavior.  Students will:

  • Explore biological, psychological, social-cultural theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and social human behavior.
  • Recognize the role research plays in generating, supporting and revising theories and concepts of human behavior.
Self-Exploration: Students will conduct self-exploration, professional exploration, and show career readiness. Students will:
  • Demonstrate critical reflection on undergraduate learning experience and career development through written and oral presentation of student analysis of practical application of program concepts.
  • Develop knowledge of the variety of career fields within Human Behavior and match the roles, degrees and professions associated with the primary fields of study within human behavior through research in multiple social media formats.
  • Students can discuss and define the types of clients, organizations, community settings and direct practice in their field of interest through current research into current higher education requirements and job descriptions. 
Practice & Intervention: Familiarization with primary stages of moral, cognitive and personality development in children and adults and the most common current human behavior interventions that support adaptive development and functioning. Students will:
  • Define and recognize the stages of moral, cognitive and personality development as developed by Kohlberg, Piaget, and Erikson, through the completion of quizzes, analyzing case studies, and participating in peer projects.
  • Students will be able to discriminate between different types of interventions, and hypothesize in case studies and group work on best practice strategies for working with individuals in a variety of human behavior environments. 
Person Centered Practice:  Reflects a psycho-social perspective on theory, assessment and intervention.  Students will: 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Systems Theory and the Ecological Perspective as they are utilized to evaluate human behavior and social functioning evidenced by completion of in class role play, and completion of mock client interview documentation.
  • Develop knowledge of how normal and deviant behavior is defined and presents within micro, meso and macro social environments through evaluation of person-in-context scenarios that address how behaviors can be construed as adaptive, maladaptive or deviant based on the environment in which the practitioner experiences the client. 
Professional Preparedness: Development and general understanding of practice skills in a variety of career settings and diverse communities. Students will:
  • Recognize, recall and define key definitions while conducting a literature search analyzing a topic of practice within the human behavior field.
  • Creation of special projects that show evidence of personal reflection, self-evaluation, and how the student will implement knowledge from the degree progression to inform ethical practice within their career. 
Justice and Social Responsibility: Awareness of the impact of social issues, community development, poverty, and stratified economics on individuals and communities.
  • Critically evaluate institutional responses to labeling, deviance and social control through reading, analyzing, and comparing the most prevalent sociological theories of Durkheim, Erikson, Merton, Hirschi and other predominant theorists in the fields of justice and criminality.  Understanding of the content is evidenced through written and presentation formats.
  • Gain an understanding and appreciation of the meaning and manifestations of personal and cultural 'values' along with related concepts and how they influence our understanding of human behavior through effective teamwork during in class activities and group assignments.

Certificate Requirements

  • Available only to Northern Arizona University-Yavapai students.

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.