X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.)

Adult Development (ADEV)

Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences.

The Adult Development major focuses on health and well-being from young adulthood to old age within the context of changing family relationships and diverse social and cultural influences. Courses focus on current research and theory in adult development and aging, family relationships, human sexuality, social policy and community services. Field placements and community service learning opportunities enable students to gain knowledge, skills and values appropriate for work with individuals and groups in a variety of settings.

Graduates of this program are pursuing careers in a variety of settings including family and community service agencies; government policy-making, administration, and health promotion divisions; support services delivery for seniors and their families; health care agencies; employee and family assistance programs; and local social planning councils. This program provides a solid foundation for the pursuit of graduate studies in fields such as: family relations and human development, social work, human sexuality, gerontology, physical, occupational and recreation therapy programs, family law and mediation, couple and family therapy, education, health promotion, social policy and human resource management (business).

This interdisciplinary program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the influence of psychological, social, biological and economic factors on individual development, capabilities, health and relationships across the lifespan. It is one of several majors in the Department that share an over-arching goal of applying knowledge to promote individual and family well-being. This major offers a high degree of flexibility for students, who may choose to deepen their studies in one or more of the core content areas in the major (adulthood and aging, family and social relationships, human sexuality, or health and well-being) and/or to choose electives in a related or complementary field.

Program Requirements

All students in the Adult Development major must successfully complete a minimum of 20.00 credits, including the core of 10.50 required credits as outlined in the Schedule of Studies.

Some students may wish to select courses that provide a broad background appropriate for careers in teaching, social work, health promotion, couple and family relationships, physical, occupational and recreation therapy, nursing, business, public service management or other areas of work. Students interested in pursuing graduate education are encouraged to complete an undergraduate thesis in their senior year and to participate in faculty research projects.

In addition to the core requirements and options, there are courses in various departments throughout the University which may be taken as electives. Lists of suggested electives that relate to particular careers or areas of interest and requirements for admission to various graduate programs, including Faculties of Education, are available from the B.A.Sc. Program Counsellor.

Students must meet the continuation of study requirements at the time of graduation and have a minimum 60.00% cumulative average.

Students may take one minor in addition to the Adult Development major. See the University of Guelph Calendar, Section X, Degree Programs, Specialization and Their Degrees for list of minors : http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c10/index.shtml. The 60.00% requirement applies to each major and minor.

Double Counting of Courses

A maximum of 50 percent of the courses applied to a minor may be courses taken in fulfillment of the major where required courses are the same.

Counselling on Minors

The B.A.Sc. program counsellor assists students in the selection of minors, interpreting program and academic regulations.

Academic departments offer the minors and assign faculty advisors to assist students with academic planning (e.g., a faculty advisor in the Psychology department handles queries about a minor in Psychology). Students should consult the appropriate faculty advisor, along with the B.A.Sc. Program Counsellor, when declaring a minor or requiring advice on the completion of specialization requirements. The list of faculty advisors is available on the Undergraduate Academic Information Centre website: https://www.uoguelph.ca/uaic/facultyadvisors or contact the B.A.Sc. Program Counsellor for further information.

Major

Semester 1
FRHD*1100 [0.50] Life: Health and Well-Being
NUTR*1010 [0.50] Introduction to Nutrition
PSYC*1000 [0.50] Introduction to Psychology
One of:
ANTH*1150 [0.50] Introduction to Anthropology
SOC*1100 [0.50] Sociology
0.50 electives
Semester 2
FRHD*1010 [0.50] Human Development
FRHD*1020 [0.50] Couple and Family Relationships
One of:
BIOM*2000 [0.50] Concepts in Human Physiology
MBG*1000 [0.50] Genetics and Society
1.00 electives
Semester 3
FRHD*2060 [0.50] Adult Development and Aging
FRHD*2100 [0.50] Development of Human Sexuality
STAT*2080 [0.50] Introductory Applied Statistics I
1.00 electives
Semester 4
FRHD*2400 [0.50] Introduction to Human Services
FRHD*3150 [0.50] Strategies for Behaviour Change
STAT*2090 [0.50] Introductory Applied Statistics II
1.00 electives
Semester 5
FRHD*3070 [0.50] Research Methods: Family Studies
FRHD*3400 [0.50] Communication and Counselling Skills
1.50 electives
Semester 6
FRHD*3040 [0.50] Parenting and Intergenerational Relationships
FRHD*3290 [1.00] Practicum I: Adult Development
1.00 electives
Note:FRHD*3290 may be taken in Semester 5 or Semester 6
Semester 7
FRHD*4310 [0.50] Professional Issues *
2.00 electives
Semester 8
FRHD*4250 [0.50] Aging and Health
One of:
FRHD*4260 [0.50] Social Policy and Gerontology
FRHD*4320 [0.50] Social Policies for Children, Youth and Families
1.50 electives
Electives - Recommended and Program Options

Students planning to pursue graduate studies are encouraged to take FRHD*4810 and FRHD*4910 (undergraduate thesis courses). Students entering into human services after graduation are encouraged to take FRHD*4290 (4th year practicum course). Students who intend to pursue studies or careers in the following areas, Adult Development and Aging, Family and Social Relations, Human Sexuality and Health or Research may wish to include electives from the following list:

Adult Development and Aging Interest
FRHD*3060 [0.50] Principles of Social Gerontology
FRHD*4190 [0.50] Assessment in Gerontology
FRHD*4290 [1.00] Practicum II: Adult Development
NUTR*3150 [0.50] Aging and Nutrition
Family and Social Relations Interest
FRHD*3090 [0.50] Poverty and Health
FRHD*4020 [0.50] Family Theory
FRHD*4290 [1.00] Practicum II: Adult Development
Human Sexuality and Health Interest
FRHD*4200 [0.50] Issues in Human Sexuality
FRHD*4290 [1.00] Practicum II: Adult Development
Research Interest
FRHD*4810 [0.50] Thesis I
FRHD*4910 [1.00] Thesis II
Graduate and Professional Studies

Students have successfully used the B.A.Sc. degree to gain admission into graduate programs in human development/family science, couple and family therapy, social work, education, applied psychology, sociology, anthropology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language, and social policy. If you plan to enter a graduate program after completing the Adult Development major of the B.A.Sc. degree program you will need to select certain courses as part of your undergraduate program to meet graduate program admission requirements. Sometimes these requirements are quite particular which means that you must plan your course selections early and carefully.

Although graduate programs differ in their entrance requirements, most graduate programs require that you have taken (at least): one course in research methods; two undergraduate statistics courses; and have completed an undergraduate thesis.

For many of the programs you will be required to take Graduate Record Exams (GREs) in the specific field of study. You are strongly advised to contact the graduate programs that interest you early in your program to determine the specific entrance requirements of each program.

* Exchange/Study Abroad Opportunities

Students interested in study abroad experience could consider this in either Semester 5 or 7. If it is in Semester 5, then students could defer FRHD*3400 to Winter Semester 6 with the Practicum FRHD*3290 (with permission). If the study abroad experience is preferred in Semester 7, the Professional Issues course (FRHD*4310) could be taken in Semester 5 (with permission).

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120