General Education Requirements 60 QH
All Applied Behavioral Sciences majors must successfully complete at least 60 quarter hours of general education courses, including the minimum distribution requirements listed below in the specific fields of knowledge. In addition to college courses, students may complete general education requirements through Credit by Portfolio, Credit by Examination (CLEP or DANTES), or Credit by Proficiency.
Students are encouraged to complete general education requirements before entering the Applied Behavioral Sciences Program. The adult student entering the Applied Behavioral Sciences Program possesses a varied educational background. Only the courses required at National-Louis University will be addressed in the integrated competencies.
Fields of Knowledge
1. Communications
At least two college-level writing courses (8 quarter hours minimum).
2. Humanities
At least one course in language, literature, history (U.S. and Western, Intellectual), philosophy, religion or ethics (4.5 quarter hours minimum).
3. Fine Arts
At least one course in art, music, theatre, or dance. (4 quarter hours minimum).
4. Quantitative Reasoning
At least one course in mathematics, statistics, research methods, or quantitative studies (4.5 quarter hours minimum).
5. Physical and Life Sciences
At least one course in chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, or biological sciences (4.5 quarter hours minimum).
6. Social Sciences
At least one course in anthropology, economics, geography, cultural and ethnic history, political science or sociology (4.5 quarter hours minimum).
7. Behavioral Science
At least one course in psychology or a related behavioral science area (4.5 quarter hours minimum).
Integrated Competencies
Information and Technological Literacy
INT100 Informational Literacy and Library Research Techniques (2 quarter hours) is recommended prior to the end of the second term. Students must use these skills in such areas as use of electronic library databases and Internet sources. Projects incorporating information literacy and library research techniques are incorporated throughout the curriculum. Library research competency is assessed by written essays using outside sources found through electronic library databases. Passing grades in these courses are evidence of competency.
Students use word-processing and email skills throughout the Applied Behavioral Sciences Program. Appropriate Internet activities are employed through access of academic Internet sites. Academic support sites for texts supplying Internet activities, comprehension checks and supplementary reading are used to enrich student experience. Student skills are assessed by successful completion of activities such as accessing the American Psychological Association's web site for citation assistance, accessing university library links to academic sources, and activities submitted for evaluation and papers or presentations. While these skills are integrated throughout the curriculum, INT430 Methods of Inquiry in the Behavioral Sciences includes practice with and assessment of these skills. A passing grade in INT430 and INT490 Independent Study in the Behavioral Sciences provide evidence of competency because library research skills are essential to their successful completion.
Analytical Skills
Competency is demonstrated by written and oral presentations throughout the program. Written work includes short essays, journals and end of course paper. Specifically, each course requires an Applied Summary Paper. These final papers require students to demonstrate that they can integrate and apply the concepts and theories presented in each course to individual and group behavior. These papers also require students to relate examples of cognitive and behavioral change based on learning from each course. Critical analysis of this nature is necessary to pass each course so passing grades demonstrate competency. A few examples of courses will be given next.
Students also demonstrate their knowledge of theory and concepts by completing an independent research project in the Independent Study in the Behavioral Sciences (INT490). This project requires student to formalize a research problem and conduct a scholarly literature review. It also requires students to show evidence of critical thinking in their analysis of the literature. A passing grade in INT490 is evidence of analytical skills.
In LAS435 Senior Seminar course, students are required to integrate various course concepts across disciplines and show evidence of their application to individual and group behavior. A passing grade in LAS435 demonstrates competence in analysis.
Ethics, Values and Respect for Human Diversity
The Applied Behavioral Sciences Program emphasizes skills necessary for effective group
| INT410 |
Leadership in a Changing World |
5 |
| INT430 |
Methods of Inquiry in the Behavioral Sciences |
4 |
| INT490 |
Independent Study in the Behavioral Sciences |
2 |
| LAH305 |
Philosophy of Values and Ethics |
5 |
| LAP300 |
Adult Development and Learning Assessment |
5 |
| LAP340 |
Effective Interpersonal Relationships |
5 |
| LAS331 |
Dynamics of Group Behavior |
4 |
| LAS426 |
Multicultural Dimensions |
5 |
| LAS430 |
Economic Issues in Global Perspective |
5 |
| LAS431 |
Managerial and Supervisory Behavior |
5 |
| LAS435 |
Senior Seminar: Integrating the Applied Behavioral Sciences |
2 |
| LAT440 |
Professional Communication |
4 |
communication, such as; values clarification, listening, and conflict resolution necessary for a cognitive, behavioral and affective understanding of ethics, values and respect for human diversity. These are integrated from the beginning to the end of the curriculum.
Specific courses emphasizing values and ethics are: LAP100 Adult Development and Learning Assessment, LAH305 Philosophy of Values and Ethics and INT410 Leadership in a Changing World. Specifically, LAH305 requires students to clarify a personal code of ethics, understand ethical systems and implications for moral behavior, and analyze ethical dilemmas. Successful completion of LAH305 demonstrates competency.
LAS426 Multicultural Dimensions emphasizes influence of culture and other sources of diversity; for example, culture as a source of conflict, communication difficulties based on diversity, and synergistic decision making as a source of utilizing cultural differences are incorporated. Activities, journals, papers and presentations provide opportunities to develop skills in regard to achieving better relationships with the many dimensions of diversity impacting human behavior.
General Education Electives 69 QH
Applied Behavioral Sciences Requirements 51 QH
