School of Behavioral Sciences and Education

The School of Behavioral Sciences and Education invites you to experience one of our exceptional programs in the fields of Criminal Justice, Education, and Human Services and Behavior. We offer both undergraduate and graduate programs focused on the quality preparation of candidates for these professions. Our faculty assist our students in the acquisition of critical thinking and decision-making skills through engaging instruction, practical field experiences, internships, volunteer projects and opportunities to participate in faculty research. Our students are immersed in experiential learning and thought-provoking classes with an emphasis on research-based practices. Students in our programs develop an understanding of human behavior and are prepared to apply this knowledge in a variety of professional careers in education and social and behavioral sciences. Many of our students continue their studies at the graduate level.

We offer undergraduate majors in Criminal Justice, PreK-12 Education, Human Services, Psychology, Recreation Leadership, and Sociology. Our students may also minor in Anthropology, Applied Youth Development, Criminal Justice, Criminalistics, Gerontology, Human Services, Outdoor Leadership, Psychology, and Sociology. We also offer graduate programs in Educational Leadership, Educational Technology and Reading (link to MED. Students already possessing a bachelor’s degree may also obtain teacher certification in any of our education major areas by completing a certification only program plan.

In our Criminal Justice major, you will gain a broad-based critical understanding of local, state and federal law enforcement, court, and correctional systems. Our program emphasizes the theoretical and practical underpinnings of the criminal justice system and the helping nature of the field’s many professions. Criminal Justice majors often pursue careers working in law enforcement, probation and parole, juvenile justice, victim services, or attend graduate school.

Your opportunities in Education include majoring in Early Elementary Education, Middle Level Education with concentrations in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies as well as a dual concentration in any combination, Secondary Education in Biology, English, General Science, Mathematics and Social Studies, K-12 Music Education, and K-12 Spanish. Both the Early Elementary and Middle Level majors also have a dual major option with Special Education PreK-8. We work to develop strategy-based educators and leaders who empower their students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become lifelong learners. Just as importantly, we educate future teachers and practitioners who are committed to their own lifelong learning and evidence-supported practices. Graduate programs in education help further your knowledge and skills in a specialization area and to assume leadership roles in education.

In our Human Services major you will develop the skills and knowledge needed to help facilitate positive change for individuals, families and communities. You will also be prepared to work in settings such as hospitals, group homes, schools, court systems, retirement communities, employment agencies, rehabilitation centers, and correctional facilities or to enter into graduate programs such as Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling and Gerontology.

As a Psychology major, you will study a variety of concepts including perception, cognition, emotion, personality and relationships, and learn to apply what you learn to issues related to family life, education, work, mental health problems and more. You will be prepared for a wide variety of human service and mental health careers. You will also be well positioned to continue in your studies at the graduate level.

The Recreation Leadership major will prepare you to be a competent and successful professional in the fields of Outdoor Leadership, Youth and Family Recreation and Recreational Therapy. The Outdoor Leadership emphasis prepares students to work in a variety of outdoor settings with agencies that offer services including outdoor leadership, adventure programming, and ropes course facilitation. The Youth and Family Recreation emphasis is geared toward professional preparation for careers in federal, state, and local public recreation and park agencies, private and voluntary agencies, youth development-focused agencies, armed forces, industrial recreation, commercial recreation, church recreation, and travel and tourism. Flexibility within this option will permit students to focus on a specific type of agency or setting. The Recreational Therapy emphasis prepares students for careers in health care and human service programs that serve individuals with disabilities. Examples include hospitals, treatment centers, specialized schools/camps, and long-term care facilities.

As a Sociology major, you will examine how the human experience is shaped by social forces. Sociologists use both quantitative and qualitative methods of social research in an effort to understand, generalize, and predict human behavior within society. Our Sociology major is designed to provide you with preparation for pursuing graduate study and/or entry into vocations where sociological training is desirable.