Undergraduate Degree Concentrations

Create your ideal academic journey with undergraduate concentrations at Cambridge College, which can complement your on-campus, remote or hybrid bachelor's degree or further prepare you for advanced study. You'll find a variety of concentrations that are tailored to fit your unique interests and career goals.

A concentration in Addiction Studies is great for a future career as a counselor, case manager, residence manager or advocate. You'll learn how to handle the impact of substance abuse on individuals and communities.

Program Highlights

Students of the Addiction Studies concentration will gain:

  • A fundamental understanding of the historical development and methodologies of addiction studies
  • An understanding and basic knowledge of major theories, concepts and processes relating to the study and treatment of addiction
  • An understanding of the various treatment approaches in addiction
  • An understanding of the variety of societal consequences of addiction

Addiction-Focused Careers

Addiction Studies students are well prepared to enter a variety of career pathways working with people. These include clinical, educational, human service and management settings, and research. Professionals in the field work in a myriad of institutions, private programs and agencies.

$76,980

Median annual pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors*

388,200

Number of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor jobs*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

The Addiction Studies concentration includes the following prerequisite and program courses:

Prerequisite Courses

  • Formative Ideas in Psychology
  • Theories of Personality

Concentration Courses

  • Introduction to Addictions: Theory and Practice
  • Family Systems and Addictions
  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse
  • Ethical Issues in Substance Abuse
  • Women and Addictions
  • Adolescent Drug Prevention

As a student in the Education concentration, you'll practice the academic skills you'll need to teach others. You'll also take courses in education methods to build a strong foundation for effective teaching.

Program Highlights

Students will understand current theories and practices within K-12 education, including:

  • Social foundations of education
  • Psychology of learning and strategies for teaching
  • Classroom management, discipline and inclusion
  • Teaching language arts and reading

The Education concentration is not designed to meet licensure requirements but as preparation for a subsequent master of education program for teacher licensure.

Education Careers

Students with a background in education find employment in schools and as educators in community organizations.

$57,490

Median annual pay of educational instruction and library occupations*

857,600

Number of educational instruction and library jobs*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Educational Instruction and Library Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

Courses within the Education concentration include:

  • Classroom Management and Discipline
  • Integrated Language Arts & Reading
  • Successful Inclusion in the Classroom
  • Social Foundations of Education
  • Strategies for Teaching
  • Psychology of Learning

The Expressive Therapies concentration teaches psychology, human growth and the creative process as crucial components of clinical and psychological healing.

Program Highlights

Graduates of the Expressive Therapies concentration will gain a fundamental understanding of:

  • How the psychology of creativity and the expressive arts view human experience, and how they can contribute to healing and insight
  • Working knowledge of psychodrama, art-making and body movement and their applications in therapy

Expressive Therapy Careers

Students can become practitioners working with individuals, families and communities in a wide range of treatment settings including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, prisons, youth and geriatric institutions. They can also work in private practice, often as part of a treatment team.

Course List

Courses within the Expressive Therapies concentration include:

  • Formative Ideas in Psychology
  • Theories of Personality
  • Psychological and Therapeutic Dimensions of the Arts
  • Psychodrama and Drama Therapy
  • Principles and Practices of Art Therapy
  • Movement and Healing

With a concentration in Family Studies, you'll learn the knowledge and skills you'll need as a practitioner to work effectively with the many demands families face.

Program Highlights

The Family Studies concentration will help students gain a fundamental understanding of:

  • Major theories, concepts and processes relating to families and working with them
  • A variety of perspectives regarding mental health, social and cultural influences, and economic impacts on families

Family-Focused Careers

Our students go on to graduate study in psychology, counseling, social work, human services and related fields. Students concentrating in Family Studies may find themselves working and leading in a variety of settings: with adolescents in residential programs or with the elderly in nursing homes, in the community or in health centers, as program directors, as case managers or outreach workers. They may also work in prevention or in treatment, in after-school programs or criminal justice programs.

$38,520

Median annual pay of social and human service assistants*

415,100

Number of social and human service assistant jobs*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Human Service Assistants, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-and-human-service-assistants.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

Courses within the Family Studies concentration include:

  • Understanding Family & Community Systems
  • Family Interventions
  • Family Life Cycle
  • Families with Special Needs
  • Ethical Issues in Working With Families
  • Family Mediation Techniques
  • Domestic Violence: Risks, Trends, Resources

The Holistic Studies concentration includes expressive art therapies and views the transformative nature of the arts as an important aspect of holistic psychology.

Program Highlights

Students of the Holistic Studies concentration will gain a fundamental understanding of:

  • The historical development and methodologies of holistic psychology
  • The relationship between mind, body and spirit as they relate to the study of psychology
  • A variety of perspectives on mental health, psychopathology, maladaptive behaviors and psychotherapy

Holistic Careers

Our graduates are well prepared to enter a variety of careers working with people using holistic approaches. Those with a holistic studies background can work in a myriad of institutional and private programs and agencies, including clinical, educational, human service and management settings and research. Our students also go on to graduate study in psychology, counseling, social work and related fields.

Course List

The Holistic Studies concentration includes the following courses:

  • Formative Ideas in Psychology
  • Theories of Personality
  • Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Psychology
  • The Spiritual Dimension: Psychological and Educational Themes
  • Psychological and Therapeutic Dimensions of the Arts
  • Holistic Psychology: An Integrated Approach

An undergraduate concentration in Justice Studies teaches you to understand justice issues as a general class of social and political problems.

Program Highlights

Graduates of the Justice Studies concentration will gain:

  • A fundamental understanding of the historical development of concepts of justice
  • Basic knowledge of major theories, concepts and processes of justice
  • Critical understanding of formalized constructs and procedures designed to impart justice
  • An understanding of alternate concepts of justice and social change
  • An understanding of the roles of cultural, social and historical forces in shaping concepts of justice

Justice Careers

Students with this concentration go on to graduate study in human services, psychology, counseling, social work, law, political science, government studies, corrections, law enforcement, forensics, criminology, religious and peace studies. This program can lead to careers in law, government service, corrections, law enforcement, politics, urban and community planning, mediation and management in NGOs, government, and community agencies.

354,300

Number of job openings each year for paralegal and legal assistants*

$63,740

Median annual pay for forensic science technicians**

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegal and Legal Assistants, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Forensic Science Technicians, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

The Justice Studies concentration includes the following courses, as well as two 1-credit JUS electives.

  • Introduction to Social Justice
  • Wealth, Poverty and Inequality
  • War, Peace and Non-violence
  • Violence in American Society
  • Restorative Justice and Alternative Sentencing
  • Special Topics in Justice Issues

The Juvenile Justice Studies concentration provides learning opportunities for those who are interested in working with adolescents and the juvenile justice system.

Program Highlights

Students of the Juvenile Justice Studies concentration will gain a fundamental understanding of:

  • The complex factors that contribute to adolescent behavior, its impact, and societal responses
  • Developing skills in suicide assessment, crisis intervention, and family mediation
  • Skills to address youth issues in the context of government agencies and community organizations
  • Current practices and research on successful treatment models

Juvenile Justice Careers

Our students go on to graduate study in juvenile justice, criminal justice, forensic psychology, youth development and advocacy, family studies, addiction studies and counseling. Career possibilities include:

  • Clinical, educational, human service and management settings
  • Research
  • Juvenile residential and community-based programs
  • State and private nonprofit agencies
  • Probation departments
  • Violence prevention
  • Child protection and youth advocacy

$59,860

Median annual pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists*

93,900

Number of job openings each year for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

The Juvenile Justice Studies concentration includes the following courses, as well as two 1-credit JUS electives.

  • Intro to Juvenile Justice
  • Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Legal Process for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
  • Adolescents in Search of Belonging
  • Introduction to Social Justice
  • Girls and Delinquency

The Legal Studies concentration introduces students to the history of the American legal system and provides a basic understanding of various aspects of law school and the legal profession.

Program Highlights

Students within the Legal Studies concentration program will:

  • Develop an understanding of the history and evolution of the U.S. legal system
  • Appreciate the scope and implications of civil liberties and social justice in the U.S.
  • Gain working knowledge of the structure of legal systems and legal processes in the U.S.
  • Understand the different branches of government and their impact and influence on our legal system
  • Recognize how legal processes and practices shape our communities and society
  • Develop analytical and critical thinking skills, critical reading abilities, writing skills, oral communication and listening abilities

Legal Careers

Our students go on to graduate study in human services, psychology, counseling, social work, law, political science, government studies, corrections, law enforcement and forensics. This program can lead to careers in law, government service, corrections, law enforcement, politics, urban and community planning, mediation and management in NGOs, government, and community agencies.

$69,160

Median annual pay for police and detectives*

$59,200

Median annual pay for paralegal and legal assistants**

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegal and Legal Assistants, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

For the Legal Studies concentration, take the following courses as well as two 1-credit JUS electives.

  • Introduction to Legal Studies
  • Introduction to the American Legal System
  • Crime and Criminal Justice
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Restorative Justice and Alternative Sentencing
  • The Art of Advocacy, Skills for Policy and Service Delivery

A concentration in Network Security is for those who want a basic understanding of how to analyze and evaluate network security threats in addition to earning a Cybersecurity bachelor's degree.

Program Highlights

The Network Security program coursework provides a practical framework for understanding how to analyze network communication protocols, network analysis tools and hacking methodologies. The concentration is accepted in any Cambridge College bachelor’s degree, as open electives.

Network Security Careers

The cybersecurity industry offers a range of diverse career paths, each intricately connected and dependent on each other to function and communicate effectively. Much like the networks they manage, roles within computer networks and cybersecurity are interdependent and multifaceted.

$112,000

Median annual pay for information security analysts*

$90,520

Average annual pay for network and computer systems administrators**

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

The Network Security concentration includes the following courses:

  • Cloud Networking Security
  • Wireless Technology and Security
  • Network & Digital Forensics Investigation
  • Network Protection and Threat Monitoring
  • Machine Learning for Network Intrusion Detection

The Organizational Psychology concentration combines psychology and management while focusing on organizational and institutional behavior.

Program Highlights

Students of the Organizational Psychology concentration program will gain:

  • A fundamental understanding of the historical development and methodologies of organizational psychology
  • An understanding of institutional behavior, the psychology of work and working systems, leadership, and management styles

Organizational Psychology Careers

Students go on to graduate study in psychology, counseling, social work, management, leadership studies and related fields. Career pathways include clinical, educational, human service and management, and research. Professionals with an organizational psychology background work in a myriad of institutional and private programs and agencies.

$85,330

Median annual pay of psychologists*

196,000

Number of job openings each year for psychology roles*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

The Organizational Psychology concentration includes the following prerequisite and program courses:

Prerequisite Course

  • Formative Ideas in Psychology

Concentration Courses

  • Theories of Personality
  • Systems Thinking in Psychology
  • Organizational Theory & Behavior
  • Diversity in the Workplace
  • Negotiation & Conflict Management
  • Psychology and Work Today: Introduction to Industrial and Organization

Those in the Wellness and Health Promotion concentration will gain the knowledge and skills needed to change elements of lifestyle for themselves and others.

Program Highlights

Students of the Wellness and Health Promotion concentration program will learn to:

  • Change elements of lifestyle for themselves and others
  • Enable others to take greater control in the prevention, management and even reversal of chronic disease
  • Focus on increasing protective factors to promote health and wellness
  • Address the role of stress and how to mitigate the negative effects of chronic stress
  • Address the role of physical activity and exercise in physical and mental health
  • Understand how elements of lifestyle, such as nutrition, play an important role in gaining control of our health

Wellness and Health Careers

This concentration will prepare students to assess needs and consider how to bring wellness to many individuals, groups and organizations, including the workplace. Students go on to graduate study in counseling, dietetics and nutrition.

$66,450

Median annual pay for dietitians and nutritionists*

78,600

Number of job openings each year for dietitians and nutritionists*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dietitians and Nutritionists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm (visited December 21, 2023).

Course List

The Wellness and Health Promotion concentration includes the following courses:

  • Nutrition and Health Promotion
  • The Science of Exercise
  • Lifestyle Change to Promote Health
  • Self-Care for Helping Professionals
  • Program Planning and Evaluation
  • Introduction to Wellness in the Workplace

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