Interdisciplinary Studies - Applied Human Behavior 90-30, Bachelor

In addition to University Requirements:

• 30 units of Applied Human Behavior specialization requirements
• Completion of Computer Literacy, Communication Skills, and Language or Science Requirements
• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

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

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 114
Foreign Language	Optional
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Fieldwork Experience/Internship may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Some online/blended coursework	Required
Progression Plan Link	View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The purpose of Northern Arizona University’s Applied Human Behavior Program is to provide students with a broad understanding of the history and perspectives on human behavior and the applicable skills necessary for competent direct practice working with individuals, families, organizations, and communities in human services. The curriculum explores what motivates behavior, and how micro, mezzo and macro systems shape individuals. Coursework emphasizes a person-centered approach to working with diverse socioeconomic populations and empowering individuals, organizations and communities to reach optimal functioning through establishing client resiliency and goal-directed agency. Students are challenged to explore personal value systems and develop an understanding of how social justice and citizenship shape ethical practice. Program content prepares students for working in professional roles that require a four-year degree in a wide range of professional positions including the fields of behavioral health, community development, and human resources, as well as entering graduate and doctoral studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Human Systems & Diversity
1.1  Understand the nature of human systems and apply historical perspectives to analyzing and solving current social conditions that limit the highest level of the individual or community functioning.
1.2  Understand multiple perspectives on diversity and implement strategies to encourage multicultural environments that support clients, communities, and professional environments.
1.3   Recognize current ethics and laws related to primary and secondary characteristics of diversity.
1.4   Apply the concept of resiliency to support client success when working with diverse populations.
 
2. Practice & Intervention
2.1  Understand and apply a variety of Psychological, Social Work, Sociological, and Urban Planning theories to promote the optimal functioning of individuals and communities.
2.2    Understand the nature of human systems using the biopsychosocial model including the biological, environmental and social impacts on human behavior.
2.3    Explain aspects of human development, the life cycle, familial and relationship dynamics and how they affect individual growth and success.
2.4    Awareness of the variety of community settings and resources and the ability to select appropriate services and referrals that support client well-being.
2.5     Apply skill in planning, implementing and evaluating direct practice techniques when working with individuals, families, communities, and groups to promote growth and goal attainment.
2.6     Recognize scope of practice and apply ethical decision making to direct practice and intervention through the use of legal knowledge, practical skills, and critical thinking.
2.7     Develop urban and rural community planning skills that use interpersonal communication and advocacy to empower stakeholders to create sustainable, successful community systems.
 
3. Community Engagement & Responsibility
3.1 Identify the impact that socio-economics, public policy, community development, and global issues have on individuals and communities ability to resolve psychological or social issues and develop new strategies for success.
3.2  Understand how globalization and internationalism impact citizenship, participation, and social responsibility in mezzo and macro environments and apply this knowledge to resolving issues of social responsibility and citizenship.
 
4.  Professional Preparedness
4.1  Develop professional process skills including documentation, assessment, care planning, administrative documentation and personal communication to apply in a variety of human behavior career settings.
4.2    Recognize and apply professional leadership skills in a wide variety of careers and professional positions.
4.3    Understand the importance of Social Science research and apply research to select solutions or implement best practices.
4.4    Awareness and capacity to apply the most prevalent ethical, legal, and safety guidelines for direct practice and intervention with clients.
 
5. Personal Values and Development
5.1 Explore personal and professional values, ethics and career driven dilemmas through participation in self-reflection and professional exploration exercises, self-critique, discussion and group activities.
5.2  Develop personal experiences, critical thinking skills and challenge current worldviews through teamwork, self-assessment, course projects, service learning and community internship experience.

Liberal Studies Requirement

• • Students who have completed the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) from an Arizona public or tribal community college, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC), or California State University General Education (CSUGE) from a California public community college are considered to have satisfied NAU’s Liberal Studies Distribution Blocks and Foundation requirements as well as the US Ethnic and Global Diversity requirements.

• • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.

• • Please contact an advisor for more information.

Major Requirements

• This major requires 54 to 55 units distributed as follows:

  • Applied Human Behavior Specialization: 30 units
  • Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements: 24 to 25 units
    • Communication Requirement: 6 units
    • Foreign Language or Science Requirement: 18 to 19 units

  
  Take the following 30 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
  
  Applied Human Behavior Specialization

  • AHB 340, AHB 350, AHB 365, AHB 375, AHB 390, AHB 420, AHB 425, AHB 450 (24 units)
  • AHB 305W (3 units)
  • AHB 495C (3 units)
     

• All coursework in the Specialization Areas must be upper-division and from Northern Arizona University. Substitutions and use of credit from other institutions are not allowed in the Specialization.

Interdisciplinary Studies Requirements

• Communication Requirements (6 units)
  
  Select 6 units in the following two categories. 

  • Performance-based courses, select one from the following (3 units)

• • • CST 111, CST 311, CST 312, CST 314, CST 315, CST 318 (Performance-based courses are defined as having at least 51 percent of the evaluation of the student being based upon oral performance.)
    • Or advisor approved

• • Theory-based courses, select one from the following (3 units)

• • • COM 101, COM 200 
    • CST 151, CST 271, CST 321, CST 323, CST 361, CST 365, CST 424, CST 451, CST 465, CST 472, CST 475 , CST 477
    • Or advisor approved

• Please note that you cannot use CLEP or locally prepared exams to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the program director.

• Foreign Language Requirement Option (19 units)

  • Foreign Language Requirement (16 units)
    • You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP, or other exams.
  AND
  • Computer Literacy (3 units)
    • This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
    • Select one from the following (3 units)
      • [BBA 293]
      • [ISM 120]

• • Select ISM 120 or BBA 293 (3 units)

• OR
  
  Science Requirement Option (18 units)

• Science Requirement, select from the following (12 units):

  • ANT 101, ANT 250
  • GSP 130, GSP 150
  • Courses with Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Mathematics, Nutrition, Physical Science, Physics, Statistics prefixes. Please note that other courses must be approved by the program director.

• AND
  
  Computer Literacy (6 units)
  
  This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.

  • Select ISM 120 or BBA 293 (3 units)
  • BBA 340 or Advisor Approved coursework including the CIS or CS prefix (3 units)
  
   

General Electives

• Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

  You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
  
  We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

• 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.

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