Student Development in College Environments

Catalog description

Student development refers to the ways a student grows, progresses, or enhances their developmental capabilities through enrollment in higher education. In this course, we will examine student development in college settings using the theoretical frameworks of adult development, positive psychology, and social cognitive theory. We will focus on the first three steps of adult development: identity development, relationship skills development, and career development. In this course, we will use an evidence-based approach by learning to interpret correlational studies (quantitative) and by conducting in-depth interviews (qualitative). Additionally, the course will focus on student development through the lens of diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion, exploring how college environments can foster the psychological conditions essential for student development.