Specialized Expertise Concentrations

Purpose

Your concentration provides an opportunity to develop a specialized area of expertise. The program allows for substantial flexibility in identifying concentration.

Concentration Sponsor
A concentration sponsor is a faculty member at Virginia Tech. Your sponsor has particular expertise in the area of your concentration and knows resources at Virginia Tech. You meet with your sponsor on a monthly basis. Your sponsor will recommend courses to take in your interest area, suggest resources to explore at the university, and make recommendations regarding your portfolio.

Course Concentrations
The concentration includes a minimum of two courses. In most cases, the first course in the concentration is taken in the fall and includes one of the following:

HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging 1 OR
HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development OR
HD 5324 Marriage and Family Relations

The second course is usually taken in the Spring. In early October, the VT timetable of classes goes online showing the array of potential Spring semester courses you could take in Human Development and other departments across campus. In past years, more than 20 courses across campus have shown potential relevance to students. In consultation with your chair, you select a course and pre-register for the spring concentration course during October.

Another alternative to a course is the option of participating on a research team. In past years, over a dozen research teams have been available in the Human Development. Other departments too may have availability for students to participate on research teams.

Approval of Concentration
In November, in consultation with your chair, you propose to take a concentration. The faculty have already pre-approved over 40 concentrations (see the list below). New concentrations can be proposed that fit the guidelines (minimum 2 courses, title reflects courses, title implies practice and application, sponsor identified, approval by chair and curriculum coordinator). For new concentrations, changes may be required prior to final approval.

SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE CONCENTRATIONS

For the first semester, students will enroll in one of the following foundation courses:

HD 1504 Adult Development and Aging I (3) OR
HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) OR
HD 5324 Marriage and Family Relations (3)

For the second semester, students will choose one or more courses listed under each pre-approved concentration in order to complete the two-course minimum of concentration courses.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN DIVERSE SETTINGS

Conducting Research in Families
Sponsor: Jay Mancini, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5314 Marriage and Family Research (3) OR 
    HD 5974 Research Team (3)

Cooperative Extension and Family Life
Sponsor: Jay Mancini, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundationi Course AND
    HD 5314 Marriage and Family Research (3) OR
    AEE 5074 Foudations in Ag & Extension Education (3)

Family Life and Human Sexuality
Sponsor: Katherine Allen, Ph.D. / April Few, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5344 Perspectives on Human Sexuality (3) OR
    HD 5974 Research Team (3)

Family Relationships in Later Life
Sponsor: Katherine Allen, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging (3) OR
    HD 5324 Marriage and Family Relations (3)
    HD 5134 Contemporary Issues in Aging (3) OR
    HD 5974 Research Team (3)

Intimate and Insitutional Violence
Sponsor: April Few, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundatioin Course AND
    HD 5344 Perspectives on Human Sexuality (3) OR
    HD 5974 Research Team (3)

Policy Issues, Court Systems, and Families
Sponsor: Joyce Arditti, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5974 Research Team (3) OR
    SOC 5034 Social Inequalities (3)

Substance Abuse and Families
Sponsor: Katherine Allen, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5974 Research Team (3) OR
    EDCI 5784 Epidemiology of Substance Abuse (3)

Technology: Children, Youth, & Families
Sponsor: Peggy Meszaros, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5974 Research Team (3)

CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN DIVERSE SETTINGS

Child and Adolescent Health
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D. / EDHL course instructor
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    EDHL 5734 Health Behavior and Health Education (3)

Communication in Child and Adolescent Development
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D. / COMM course instructor
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    COMM 5814 Mass Communication Theory and Research (3)

Consultation with Teachers
Sponsor: Isabel Bradburn, Ph.D.
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    HD 5974 Research Team (3)

Evaluating Child Health and Development
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D. / EDCI course instructor
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    EDCI 5784 Evaluation of Health Programs (3)

Evaluating Child Programs for Accreditation
Sponsor: Cindy Smith, Ph.D.
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    HD 5974 Independent Study: Research Team (3) OR
    HD 5974 Independent Study in Program Accreditation (1)

Fostering Cognitive Development in Children
Sponsor: Vickie Fu, Ph.D.
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    PSYC 5534 Developmental Psychology (3) OR
    HD 5234 Cognitive Development Infancy through Adolescence (3)

Fostering Emotional Development in Children and Adolescents
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D. / Julie Dunsmore, Ph.D.
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    PSYC 6944 Emotional Development (3)

Health Education Programs for Children and Adolescents
Sponsor: Kee Jeong Kim, Ph.D.
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    HNFE 5684 Program Development in Health Education (3)

Intergenerational Programming
Sponsor: Shannon Jarrott, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5224 Cognitive Development Infancy through Adolscence (3) OR
    HD 5974 Independent Study / Research Team (1)

Parent Education Programs
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D.
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    EDCI 5554 Education of Exceptional Learners (3)

Special Needs Education for Children and Adolescents
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D. / EDCI 5554 instructor
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    EDCI 5554 Education of Exceptional Learners (3)

Transition Programming for Adolescents and Young Adults
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D. / EDCT instructor
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    EDCT 5734 Transition Programming for the Disabled (3)

Working with Adolescents
Sponsor: Mark Benson, Ph.D.
    HD 5214 Theoretical Foundations of Child Development (3) AND
    HD/EDCI 5464 Adolescent Development (3)

ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND AGING IN DIVERSE SETTINGS

Adult Day Services
Sponsor: Alison Galway, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5114 Adult Development and Aging II (3)
    HD 5974 Volunteer work in Adult Day Services (1)

Caregiving and Alzheimer's Disease
Sponsor: Shannon Jarrott, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5974 Research Team (3)

Graduate Certificate In Gerontology
Sponsor: Rosemary Blieszner, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5114 Adult Development and Aging II (3)
    HD 5144 Seminar in Gerontology (1)
    Other requirements (see cetificate program)

Health Aspects of Aging
Sponsor: Karen Roberto, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    EDHL 5704 Health of Elderly (3) OR
    HNFE 5664 Physiology & Aging (3)

Intergenerational Programming for the Aging
Sponsor: Shannon Jarrott, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5134 Contemporary Issues in Aging (3)

Nursing Home Administration
Sponsor: Karen Roberto, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    SOC 5714 Aging in Social Context (3)
    HD 5974 Independent Study / Research Team (1)

Programs for the Aging
Sponsor: Rosemary Blieszner, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5114 Adult Development and Aging II (3)

Public Health and the Aging
Sponsor: Karen Roberto, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    EDHL 5314 Public Health Adminstation (3)

Social Support Practices in Old Age
Sponsor: Rosemary Blieszner, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5974 Independent Study / Research Team (3)

Therapeutic Strategies with Elders
Sponsor: Alison Galway, Ph.D.
    HD 5104 Adult Development and Aging I (3) AND
    HD 5114 Adult Development and Aging II (3)  

COMMUNITY AGENCIES: RECRUITMENT AND INTERVIEWS

Community Agencies: Recruitment and Interviews
Sponsor: Megan Dolbin-MacNab, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5974 Independent Study / Research Team (3)

Community Involvement
Sponsor: Jay Mancini, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    UAP 4185 Community Involvment (3) OR
    UAP 5164 Collaborative Processes and Civil Society (3) OR  
    UAP 5714 Community Building Seminar

International Development and Families
Sponsor: April Few, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    SOC 5034 Social Inequalities (3) OR
    SOC 5604 Organizations in Society (3) OR  
    UAP 5264 Global Change & Local Impacts (3) OR
    UAP 5364 Non-Governmental Organizaions in Development (3)

Professional Development Toward Pursuing the Ph.D.
Sponsor: Fred Piercy, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    EDRE/HD Additional qualitative or statistics course (3)
    Thesis is recommended.

Professional Organizations
Sponsor: Maggie Keeling, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    HD 5974 Independent Study / Research Team (3) OR
    SOC 5604 Organizations in Society (3)

Residential, Housing, & Shelter Services
Sponsor: Ted Koebel, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    UAP 5144 Urban Policy Analysis and Implementation (3) OR
    NE 5604 Advanced Family Housing (3) OR
    NE 5614 Housing Social Aspects (3) OR
    NE 5624 Housing and Government (3) OR
    NE 6604 Housing and Special Groups: Older Adult & the Disabled (3) OR
    NE 4674 Housing Manangement for the Elderly (3)

Volunteerism in Organizations and Agencies
Sponsor: Katherine Allen, Ph.D.
    Choice of Foundation Course AND
    UAP 5274 Comparative Social Movements (3) OR
    UAP 5364 Non-Governmental Organizations in Development (3)

* Current as of January 2005 Available concentrations are reviewed and changed as courses and research teams evolve. Contact the department for updated information.