Behavioral Science, Bachelor of Science

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science degree program in Behavioral Science is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of how social issues, social environments, and cultural influences impact individual and group behaviors. With a Wilmington University Behavioral Science degree, students will gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in careers working with adolescents and teens, families, the elderly, the homeless, the court systems, government agencies, addictions, crisis interventions, and more. Upon completion of the program, students seek careers in the human services, government, business, and industry. Students seeking graduate degree options may consider Master’s degrees in social work, sociology, psychology, human services, public administration, criminology, counseling, or human resource management.

Program of Study

The program includes courses in psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Course work emphasizes normal and abnormal individual development, as well as family, group, and cultural dimensions of behavior. Ethical and professional issues are also addressed. Skill development in interpersonal relations, problem solving, and evaluation of programs and research is stressed. In addition, General Education courses required of all Wilmington University undergraduates provide a well-rounded academic foundation.

Classroom courses provide a blend of theory and application. Students also have the option to explore internship opportunities throughout the community in a variety of settings which provide experiences in applying knowledge and skills. The program is offered statewide, with day and evening classes offered at New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown. The program is also offered in New Jersey at Mt. Laurel and Cumberland. The program is also available online.

Program Competencies

Knowledge:

Demonstrate the ability to define and explain theory and application within the Behavioral Science disciplines with regard to:

  1. Change and development at individual, group, and societal levels.
  2. Individual differences, group variations, and social deviance.
  3. Micro- and macro-level processes involving individuals, groups and societies.
  4. Empirical and ethical issues related to the systematic study of individual, group and societal processes.

Skills: Related to the Behavioral Science Disciplines

  1. Demonstrate effective oral and written presentation skills.
  2. Demonstrate effective critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, plan, implement, analyze, and report formal inquiry in the behavioral sciences.
  4. Demonstrate effective utilization of current technologies.
  5. Demonstrate the ability, skills and flexible thinking necessary to explore the various applications of behavioral science in the real world, including career options.

Personal and Professional Development

  1. Demonstrate an awareness of one’s strengths and limitations, interests, aptitudes, values, goals, commitment to self-directedness, self-discipline, and planning for present and lifelong learning, career identification, and development.
  2. Demonstrate an awareness of self in relation to others, including effective interpersonal communication skills, ability to work in teams, and respect for diversity and multiculturalism in a pluralistic society.
  3. Demonstrate an awareness and respect for diversity and multiculturalism in a pluralistic society.

CAP (Community and Academic Partnerships)/Co-op Program

CAP/Co-op Program Option (6 credits)

PSY 309Interpersonal Communication Skills

3

OR

PSY 315Group Dynamics

3

 

SOC 304Ethnic Groups and Minorities

3

The Co-op option allows students to complete core courses in PSY 309 - Interpersonal Communications Skills or PSY 315 - Group Dynamics and SOC 304 - Ethnic Groups and Minorities in a supervised educational work setting related to the student’s major field of study. If students select the Co-op option, both PSY 309 or PSY 315 and SOC 304 in Co-op format are required. Alternative core courses may also be available for Co-op depending on the field placement. Each Co-op assignment is one semester long and normally, the two Co-op assignments span two consecutive semesters with the same employer. In order to be eligible, students must have at least 60 credits, plus a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must inform the Director of the CAP/Co-op program and the Behavioral Science Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a Co-op assignment.

For additional information on the CAP/Co-op program option, please see the website: www.wilmu.edu/coop/

Program Policies

Elective Guidelines

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences recommends that students who transfer in six or more core courses and all 18 credits of core electives use any remaining electives to increase their subject knowledge by taking upper level electives in their field. These will include the interdisciplinary electives identified from the other academic colleges.

Minimum Grade Policy

The Behavioral Science program has set a minimum passing grade of “C-” for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than “C-” in any required core course must retake that course.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (33 credits)

CTA 206Computer Applications

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

 

HUM 360Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD

3

OR

HUM 361Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present

3

 

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

SCI 335Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab)

4

SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

Humanities Electives (6 credits)

Behavioral Science Core (45 credits)

MAT 308Inferential Statistics

3

PHI 302Ethics and Values in Behavioral Science

3

SOC 302Marriage and the Family

3

SOC 304Ethnic Groups and Minorities

3

SOC 306Cultural Anthropology

3

SOC 318Social Change

3

SOC 331Research, Writing and Information Literacy in the Behavioral Sciences

3

 

SOC 405Social Deviance

3

OR

PSY 305Abnormal Psychology

3

Select 6 credits from upper level (300-400) courses beginning with the SOC prefix.

Choose one course from the following:

PSY 340Research Methods in Psychology

3

SOC 340Applied Research Design

3

SOC 340: Recommended

Choose one course from the following:

PSY 409Seminar in Psychology

3

SOC 409Special Topics: Seminar in Applied Behavioral Science

3

SOC 409: Recommended

Choose one course from the following:

PSY 309Interpersonal Communication Skills

3

PSY 315Group Dynamics

3

Choose one course from the following:

PSY 406Tests and Measurements

3

SOC 490Internship in Behavioral Science (Behavioral Science majors)

3

Choose one Developmental course from the following:

PSY 329Lifespan Development

3

PSY 331Middle Childhood Development

3

PSY 332Adolescent Development

3

PSY 336Child Development

3

PSY 401Adult Development and Aging

3

Behavioral Science Electives (18 credits)

Courses beginning with the prefix CRJ, PSY, ORG, or SOC may be used as Behavioral Science electives. In addition, the following courses may also be selected as Behavioral Science electives:

NOTE: Guided Practicum (SOC 290-SOC 291) as well as Internship (SOC 490) and Co-op (SOC 450) experiences are available.

POL 326Public Policy and Social Issues

3

POL 350Economic, Welfare and Income Policy

3

POL 380Health Care Policy

3

Free Electives (18 credits)

Suggested Program Sequence

Freshman

1st Semester

CTA 206Computer Applications

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

2nd Semester

ENG 122English Composition II

3

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

SOC 306Cultural Anthropology

3

Dev. Psych Elective

Sophomore

1st Semester

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

Behavioral Science Elective

Free Elective

3

Humanities Elective

3

2nd Semester

MAT 308Inferential Statistics

3

SCI 335Human Anatomy and Physiology (with Lab)

4

SOC 331Research, Writing and Information Literacy in the Behavioral Sciences

3

SOC 302Marriage and the Family

3

Free Elective

3

Junior

1st Semester

HUM 360Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD

3

OR

HUM 361Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present

3

 

PSY 309Interpersonal Communication Skills

3

OR

PSY 315Group Dynamics

3

OR

Co-op

 

SOC 340Applied Research Design

3

OR

PSY 340Research Methods in Psychology

3

 

SOC 405Social Deviance

3

OR

PSY 305Abnormal Psychology

3

 

Behavioral Science Core

Behavioral Science Core: Choose any course beginning with the prefix SOC.

2nd Semester

SOC 304Ethnic Groups and Minorities

3

OR

Co-op

 

SOC 318Social Change

3

Behavioral Science Elective

Humanities Elective

3

Behavioral Science Core

Behavioral Science Core: Choose any course beginning with the prefix SOC.

Senior

1st Semester

PHI 302Ethics and Values in Behavioral Science

3

 

SOC 490Internship in Behavioral Science (Behavioral Science majors)

3

OR

PSY 406Tests and Measurements

3

 

Behavioral Science Elective

Free Elective

3

Free Elective

3

2nd Semester

SOC 409Special Topics: Seminar in Applied Behavioral Science

3

OR

PSY 409Seminar in Psychology

3

 

Behavioral Science Elective

Behavioral Science Elective

Behavioral Science Elective

Free Elective

3