
B.A. in Education & Psychology
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Caldwell University’s double major in education and psychology prepares students for careers that bridge teaching, learning, and human development. Students gain a solid foundation in psychological principles while exploring effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques.
Key components of the program typically include:
- Education Studies: Courses on curriculum design, instructional methods, educational diversity, and education policy. Students may also complete field experiences in classrooms to develop hands-on teaching skills. Students complete certification requirements for Elementary grades K- 6, Early Childhood Pre K- 3 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities ( Special Education).
- Psychology Studies: Core topics include cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, focusing on understanding how individuals think, learn, and behave across different life stages.
- Interdisciplinary Focus: Emphasis on applying psychological principles to educational settings, including learning disabilities, motivation, and behavior management.
Why Caldwell?
Caldwell students have two advisors, one in Psychology and one in Education to ensure that they are taking the required courses t for graduation. Students complete field experience in the third year of the program and then student teach in a local district in their final semester. Close relationships with local districts provide substantial experience for our students, who are often hired after graduation. Caldwell education and psychology majors are known to be well-prepared and the department is highly respected in the NJ educational arena.
A graduate with a Psychology and Education degree can also explore a range of career options other than classroom teaching, depending on their interests and further qualifications. Some possible career paths include:
Educational Psychologist
- Works with students, teachers, and parents to address learning and behavioral issues
- Requires additional postgraduate education or training in psychology and education
School Counselor
- Provides support for students’ emotional, social, and academic development
- Requires additional graduate-level training
- Often found in K-12 schools
Special Education Teacher
- Focuses on teaching students with disabilities or special needs
- May require additional certifications or training in special education
Educational Consultant
- Advises schools or educational organizations on curriculum design, teaching methods, or student support strategies
- May work independently or as part of a consulting firm
Child Development Specialist
- Works with children and families to support cognitive, emotional, and social development
- Can work in schools, clinics, or as a private consultant
Program Outcomes
In New Jersey, the program outcomes for Education and Psychology majors are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for professional success as classroom teachers.
Education programs in New Jersey focus on preparing students to become effective educators capable of meeting the diverse needs of learners. For instance, Caldwell University’s Teacher Education: PreK-12 program emphasizes developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will improve outcomes for all PreK-grade 12 children. The Education program is CAEP Accredited and utilizes internal and external data to demonstrate candidate and program effectiveness, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the teaching profession.
Additionally, the Psychology program outlines specific learning outcomes, including:
- Understanding and applying basic research methods in psychology
- Demonstrating effective writing and oral communication skills
- Applying psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues
Course Code : ED 332
Course Description :
Students will gain an appreciation of the importance of a diverse learning environment that enhances the unique talents of each child. This course will prepare students to design an integrated curriculum that addresses the typical and atypical child. Students will study various methods of curriculum and instruction including small group, whole group, cooperative learning, collaboration, learning centers and modifications for “Inclusive” practices or self-contained special education programs. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED206
Course Code : ED 333
Course Description :
This course will explore the foundation of early childhood education from an historical perspective. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of creating a developmentally appropriate environment for children from birth through age eight that supports children’s diversity and a broad range of learning styles. Emphasis will be on utilizing core curriculum standards that support a multisensory, child centered approach with accepted traditional methods. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED206
Course Code : ED 351
Course Description :
Students will develop an understanding of all types of assessments related to special education students including instruments used to determine eligibility for special education and assessment measures used in classroom situations to diagnose academic and behavioral difficulties. Students will learn to measure progress through ongoing assessment. Students will also learn assessment techniques for transition planning in order to determine the appropriate long term plan for students aging out of special education. Assessment techniques included in this course are tests of ability and achievement, rating scales, surveys and observations. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 360
Course Description :
This course teaches future special education teachers to create effective learning environments for students. Strategies to individualize instruction in academic skills, social skills, independent and self-help skills, self-management and appropriate classroom behavior will be investigated. Students who experience behavior problems that affect their learning and the learning of others will learn effective behavior management strategies to create positive classroom environments. Field requirement: 25 hours.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 380
Course Description :
This course will focus on developing an understanding of how to implement effective, scientifically-based reading programs and strategies for students with special needs. Students will learn to differentiate instruction and materials based on individual needs. Emphasis will be placed on appraising a student's reading difficulties and then developing and implementing a unique program for each learning disabled student and then measuring the effectiveness of the program on an ongoing basis in order to track progress. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED331, ED340, ED348
Course Code : ED 460
Course Description :
n this course, students will learn to create effective learning environments for students with disabilities in all settings. The course will introduce strategies for adapting materials, modifying curriculum and using assistive technology appropriately. Another focus of the course will be to develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful collaboration among special and general educators and parents, with particular emphasis on co-teaching methods in inclusive classrooms. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED331
Course Code : PS 101
Course Description :
This course provides a survey of the major areas of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Major content areas include research methodology, biopsychology, learning, psychopathology, and cognitive, social, and developmental psychology
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 208
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
Course Description :
Introduces descriptive and inferential statistical methods to summarize, organize, and interpret data. Topics include data organization, measures of central tendency, variability, z-scores, logic of hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
Course Code : PS 213
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
Course Description :
This course serves as an introduction to scientific writing and the style conventions set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Students will practice information literacy and enhance their understanding of the writing process as it applies to psychology. Topics will include APA style conventions, components of the scientific paper, information gathering, plagiarism, and the writing process.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 326
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 1
Course Description :
Examines the cognitive processes broadly referred to as thinking. Emphasis will be placed on a discussion of memory models, consciousness, attention, language, concept learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and neural networks. Classical theories and experiments in these areas will be reviewed.
*Curricular changes will go into effect the following academic year, unless otherwise noted.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS 101
Course Code : PS 328
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 1
Course Description :
This course focuses on major learning perspectives including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 402
Course Description :
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. The course involves independent research projects.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU305, PS208
Course Code : PS 425
Course Description :
Discusses historical and contemporary issues in psychology. Course involves seminar presentations on selected topics.
*Curricular changes will go into effect the following academic year, unless otherwise noted.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS 101
Complete 3 credits from the following courses.
Course Code : PS 314
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Examines socio-cultural, group and interpersonal influences on behavior. Topics include attitudes, communication, persuasion, mind control, social learning, psychic trauma, aggression, altruism, attraction, prejudice and applications of psychology to the courts.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 318
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Examines cross-cultural influences in understanding psychology. Course emphasizes the interplay of individual, ethnic, and cultural factors in psychosocial growth and well-being, cross-cultural and cross-ethnic communication, and counseling and psychotherapeutic interactions.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 321
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Explores current theories and research in motivation; needs for approval and achievement, affiliation, love, and affection; self-preservation, self-actualization, aggression and assertiveness.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 336
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Examines the variables and processes critical to understanding and achieving personal success and fulfillment. Included will be a discussion of the concepts of “flow,” optimism, virtue, gratitude, meaning, and emotional intelligence. Course will also examine how concepts in positive psychology can inform interventions in areas such as family and parenting, friendships and romance, recreation and leisure, school, work, and service.
Credit : 3
Complete 3 credits from the following courses.
Course Code : PS 210
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
Explores patterns and possible causes of emotional and behavioral problems in children. The course also examines treatment methods used with children and effective parenting styles.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 232
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
Course Description :
Studies major theoretical approaches to personality structure and dynamics, the disorganization of the personality, and problems involved in personality assessment. Theorists studied include: Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, May, Maslow, Rogers and Skinner
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 275
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
Course Description :
This course is designed to familiarize students with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, students will focus on the characteristics of autism, the assessment process for diagnosis, and the etiological theories for the development of autism. Students will also learn about current evidencebased treatments and pseudoscientific fads in autism treatment. In addition, the course will focus on applied behavior analysis (ABA) as an intervention and review techniques for teaching new skills and reducing problem behaviors in individuals with autism.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 309
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
Examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS204, PS150, PS207.
The double major in Education and Psychology requires between 131 – 134 credits: 56 – 59 Core Credits, 27 Psychology Credits, and 48 Education Credits
Course Code : ED 332
Course Description :
Students will gain an appreciation of the importance of a diverse learning environment that enhances the unique talents of each child. This course will prepare students to design an integrated curriculum that addresses the typical and atypical child. Students will study various methods of curriculum and instruction including small group, whole group, cooperative learning, collaboration, learning centers and modifications for “Inclusive” practices or self-contained special education programs. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED206
Course Code : ED 333
Course Description :
This course will explore the foundation of early childhood education from an historical perspective. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of creating a developmentally appropriate environment for children from birth through age eight that supports children’s diversity and a broad range of learning styles. Emphasis will be on utilizing core curriculum standards that support a multisensory, child centered approach with accepted traditional methods. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED206
Course Code : ED 351
Course Description :
Students will develop an understanding of all types of assessments related to special education students including instruments used to determine eligibility for special education and assessment measures used in classroom situations to diagnose academic and behavioral difficulties. Students will learn to measure progress through ongoing assessment. Students will also learn assessment techniques for transition planning in order to determine the appropriate long term plan for students aging out of special education. Assessment techniques included in this course are tests of ability and achievement, rating scales, surveys and observations. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 360
Course Description :
This course teaches future special education teachers to create effective learning environments for students. Strategies to individualize instruction in academic skills, social skills, independent and self-help skills, self-management and appropriate classroom behavior will be investigated. Students who experience behavior problems that affect their learning and the learning of others will learn effective behavior management strategies to create positive classroom environments. Field requirement: 25 hours.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 380
Course Description :
This course will focus on developing an understanding of how to implement effective, scientifically-based reading programs and strategies for students with special needs. Students will learn to differentiate instruction and materials based on individual needs. Emphasis will be placed on appraising a student's reading difficulties and then developing and implementing a unique program for each learning disabled student and then measuring the effectiveness of the program on an ongoing basis in order to track progress. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED331, ED340, ED348
Course Code : ED 460
Course Description :
n this course, students will learn to create effective learning environments for students with disabilities in all settings. The course will introduce strategies for adapting materials, modifying curriculum and using assistive technology appropriately. Another focus of the course will be to develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful collaboration among special and general educators and parents, with particular emphasis on co-teaching methods in inclusive classrooms. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED331
Course Code : PS 101
Course Description :
This course provides a survey of the major areas of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Major content areas include research methodology, biopsychology, learning, psychopathology, and cognitive, social, and developmental psychology
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 208
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
Course Description :
Introduces descriptive and inferential statistical methods to summarize, organize, and interpret data. Topics include data organization, measures of central tendency, variability, z-scores, logic of hypothesis testing, t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA220, MA130, MA117, MA116, MA208, MA131, MA207, MA222, MA221, MA106, MA108, MA 105, MA 112
Course Code : PS 213
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses
Course Description :
This course serves as an introduction to scientific writing and the style conventions set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Students will practice information literacy and enhance their understanding of the writing process as it applies to psychology. Topics will include APA style conventions, components of the scientific paper, information gathering, plagiarism, and the writing process.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 326
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 1
Course Description :
Examines the cognitive processes broadly referred to as thinking. Emphasis will be placed on a discussion of memory models, consciousness, attention, language, concept learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and neural networks. Classical theories and experiments in these areas will be reviewed.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS150, PS204, PS207
Course Code : PS 328
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 1
Course Description :
This course focuses on major learning perspectives including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 402
Course Description :
Focuses on research methods and design as applied to contemporary problems in psychology. The course involves independent research projects.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BU305, PS208
Course Code : PS 425
Course Description :
Discusses historical and contemporary issues in psychology. Course involves seminar presentations on selected topics.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS 150, PS 207
Complete 3 credits from the following courses.
Course Code : PS 314
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Examines socio-cultural, group and interpersonal influences on behavior. Topics include attitudes, communication, persuasion, mind control, social learning, psychic trauma, aggression, altruism, attraction, prejudice and applications of psychology to the courts.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 318
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Examines cross-cultural influences in understanding psychology. Course emphasizes the interplay of individual, ethnic, and cultural factors in psychosocial growth and well-being, cross-cultural and cross-ethnic communication, and counseling and psychotherapeutic interactions.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 321
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Explores current theories and research in motivation; needs for approval and achievement, affiliation, love, and affection; self-preservation, self-actualization, aggression and assertiveness.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 336
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Examines the variables and processes critical to understanding and achieving personal success and fulfillment. Included will be a discussion of the concepts of “flow,” optimism, virtue, gratitude, meaning, and emotional intelligence. Course will also examine how concepts in positive psychology can inform interventions in areas such as family and parenting, friendships and romance, recreation and leisure, school, work, and service.
Credit : 3
Complete 3 credits from the following courses.
Course Code : PS 210
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
Explores patterns and possible causes of emotional and behavioral problems in children. The course also examines treatment methods used with children and effective parenting styles.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 232
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
Studies major theoretical approaches to personality structure and dynamics, the disorganization of the personality, and problems involved in personality assessment. Theorists studied include: Freud, Jung, Adler, Horney, May, Maslow, Rogers and Skinner
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 275
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
This course is designed to familiarize students with autism spectrum disorders. Specifically, students will focus on the characteristics of autism, the assessment process for diagnosis, and the etiological theories for the development of autism. Students will also learn about current evidencebased treatments and pseudoscientific fads in autism treatment. In addition, the course will focus on applied behavior analysis (ABA) as an intervention and review techniques for teaching new skills and reducing problem behaviors in individuals with autism.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 309
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 4
Course Description :
Examines the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
PS204, PS150, PS207.