Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Sciences Emphasis in Human Services and Counseling Requirements
In all programs in the Behavioral Sciences, following the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for ethical behavior is an essential part of psychological training and education. Students are expected to follow the APA guidelines in all fieldwork, class work, and research. If a student’s performance places the welfare of a client or research participant in jeopardy and is determined inappropriate or irresponsible, the student will be removed from the course and additional disciplinary action may be taken. The Human Services and Counseling Option is designed for those students who wish to enter the work force immediately after graduation.
Expected Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings in behavioral sciences.
- Students will engage in scientific reasoning and critical thinking. This includes the use of effective research methodology when they are solving problems related to behavior and mental processes and the ability to interpret basic social science research.
- Students will understand and engage in ethically and socially responsible behaviors that can be used in professional and personal settings and in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
- Students will demonstrate competence in written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Students will be able to apply behavioral science-specific content and skills, including effective self-reflection, project-management skills, and teamwork skills to develop career and graduate school readiness.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to counsel individuals and groups.
- Graduates will be able to understand assessment instruments and techniques used to arrive at diagnosis and prognosis.
- Graduates will be able to provide documentation of symptoms and, functioning through note taking, clear oral and written reports, and case studies, to assist mental health service providers in making diagnostic and intervention decisions.
Degree Requirements (Semester Hours)
General Education Core
Note: The Core should include
Behavioral Sciences Requirements (24)
| PSY 321 | Theory & Practice of Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 331 | Psychological Statistics & Testing | 3 |
| PSY 351 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 353 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 353 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 400 | Research Methods & Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 400 | Research Methods & Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 411 | History & Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 424 | Neuropsychology | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 430 | Senior Seminar (Social Sciences) | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 430 | Senior Seminar (Social Science) | 3 |
Required Human Services Courses (12)
| PSY 401 | Advanced Counseling | 3 |
| SOW 201 | Introduction to Human Services & Counseling | 3 |
| | | |
| SOW 415 | Human Services Practicum I | 1 |
| | Or | |
| PSY 415 | Psych Practicum I | 3 |
Special Focus Area (Choose one) (3)
Electives (12)
| CJ 210 | Criminology | 3 |
| CJ 225 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CJ 315 | Victimology | 3 |
| | | |
| CJ 350 | Study of Deviant Behavior | 3 |
| | Or | |
| PSY 350 | The Study of Deviant Behavior | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 311 | Intervention Methods I | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 311 | Intervention Methods I | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 320 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 352 | Gerontology | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 352 | Introduction to Gerontology | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 360 | Industrial & Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 406 | Disorders of Childhood and Youth | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 410 | Intervention Methods II Group Counseling | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 410 | Intervention Methods II / Group Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 412 | Addictive Behavior | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 425 | Psych Practicum II | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 425 | Human Services Practicum II | 1 |
| | | |
| PSY 499 | Selected Topics & Readings in Psychology | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 499 | Selected Topics & Readings in Social Work | 1 |
| | | |
| SOC 211 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 212 | Social Problems | 3 |
| | | |
| SOC 312 | Marriage & Family | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOW 312 | Marriage and Family | 3 |
| | | |
| SOW 220 | Human Services Administration | 3 |
No grade below a “C-” in Behavioral Science courses can count toward the degree.
A foreign language is highly recommended, particularly Spanish.
Electives (21-24)
Total Credit Hours: 121