Overview
At its core, behavioral and social sciences study human behavior, and the evolution and process of change of the structure and function of individuals, societies, and institutions. Our program emphasizes inter- and intra-connected contextual impacts. Disciplines include criminal justice, political science, history, psychology, sociology, and social work – with foreign languages, history, and Islamic Studies as additional areas.
Our Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences gives you the flexibility to customize your education through areas of concentration in Political Science or History, criminal justice, psychology, social work, or sociology. Explore social science in Chicago to pursue your degree as a broad generalist or with a focus on a specific discipline – whichever best fits your educational goals and objectives.
Program Objectives
Combining applied scientific research with a sound grasp of major theories in the behavioral and social sciences, you’ll gain the technical ability and theoretical comprehension to recognize, articulate, and assess:
- Artistic, social, and scientific contributions of different cultures, societies, and peoples
- Implications of comprehensive global interconnectedness and interdependence of forms of life as related to humankind
Key assumptions of diverse sociopolitical, historical, cultural, and psychological theories - Critical functions and importance of science and technology in social and human development
- Needs and aspirations of human beings as contributing factors of societal, that is to say: socioeconomic, political, and cultural activities.
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to contribute proactively to solutions of current and future challenges substantially resulting from globalization and global interdependence.
This program is particularly suited to merging your vocational sense of mission in service of humanity with that of a highly skilled profession. It also provides excellent and permanent employment opportunities. All of the major areas – be it political science, history, psychology, criminal justice, social work, or sociology – embrace high degree of realistic, practical, hands-on application, thorough familiarity with foundational theoretical knowledge, and comprehensive reflective assessment allowing for constant improvement and growth. Your focus ultimately remains on making the world community a better place to live.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Behavioral Sciences
The degree requirements consist of three basic components for a total of no less than 180 quarter hours of credit:
I: General Education Core (64 Credit Hours)
II: BHS Core and Concentration Courses (80 Credit Hours)
III: Elective Courses (36 Credit Hours)
I: General Education Core courses
- 5 specified courses in English and Communications for a total of 20 quarter hours
- 1 specified mathematics course, one biology course, and 12 additional hours from biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics for a total of 20 hours
- 1 specified humanities course and 16 additional quarter hours in specified courses from Behavioral and Social Sciences for a total of 20 hours
- 1 specified course from computer and information science for a total of 4 hours
II: BHS Core Concentration Courses
- 12 specified BHS core courses, and an additional 32 hours BHS elective courses
III: Elective courses
- 36 credits from freely selected courses
Sample Degree Outline
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Behavioral and Social Sciences Total Course Requirement: 180 credit hours
General Education Core Courses
(64 credit hours)
Behavioral and Social Sciences Major Courses
(80 credit hours)
Core Courses
(48 credit hours)
| CI213 | Desktop Spreadsheet Application |
| EC201 or EC202 | Principles of Microeconomics; Principles of Macroeconomics; |
| EC311 | Comparative Economic Systems |
| HS326 | Contemporary America |
| MT221 | Fundamentals of Statistics |
| PL310 | Development of Political Thought |
| PL381 | International Relations |
| PS311 | Life Span Development |
| SC322 | Crime, Society and Social Justice |
| SC335 | Social Research Methods |
| CJ276 | Criminal Profiling |
Concentration Courses
(32 credit hours)
Choose one. Suggested areas of focused interest in the BHS program, with a recommended sequence of courses, include:
Political Science
| BS101 | Introduction to Business |
| CJ210 | CJ210 Constitutional Law |
| PL214 | Politics: Public Opinion, Pressure Groups, and Political Parties |
| EN217 | African History |
| EN300 | Negotiations |
| PL313 | Politics of American Minorities |
| EN380 | Negotiation |
| EN440 | Persuasion and Debate |
Criminal Justice
| CJ202 | Administration of the Criminal Justice |
| CJ203 | Administration of the Juvenile Justice |
| CJ220 | Criminal Law and Procedure |
| CJ230 | Introduction to Investigation |
| CJ240 | Police Organization and Management |
| CJ250 | Professional Responsibility in Criminal Justice |
| CJ260 | Constitutional Law |
| CJ303 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice |
History
| HS122 | Untied States History Since 1865 |
| CJ210 | Constitutional Law |
| HS231 | African History |
| HS241 | Survey of Latin American Civilization |
| HS251 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization |
| SC311 | Population and Human Ecology |
| HS326 | Contemporary America |
| SC384 | Society and Culture |
Psychology
| PS201 | Child Development |
| PS202 | Educational Psychology |
| PS204 | Thinking and Writing in Psychology |
| PS311 | Life Span Development |
| PS321 | Social Psychology |
| PS322 | Ethics in Psychology |
| PS341 | Theories of Personality |
| PS491 | Contemporary Issues in Psychology |
Sociology
| SC313 | Environment of the Community |
| SC315 | Community Health Issues |
| SC320 | Introduction to Social Work |
| SC333 | Social Problem Solving |
| SC371 | Women in Society |
| SC424 | Issues in Welfare |
| SC430 | Social Work Practice I |
| SC431 | Social Work Practice II |
"Students who opt not to select one of these focused areas of interest must still complete the general education requirements (64 quarter hours), the BHS major courses (48 quarter hours) plus an additional 32 quarter hours, and an additional 36 quarter hours of electives for a total of 180 credit hours."
Free Electives
(36 credit hours)
Curricular Requirements
Curricular requirements must comply with all general academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree, including:
- Completion of 180 quarter hours
- Residency requirement of 48 quarter hours
- Completion of HM 279 (East-West University Signature course)
- Completion of HM 491 (Senior Seminar)
- An overall GPA of 2.0 and 2.5 GPA in the major
- Compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress policy pertaining to both Grade Maintenance and Timely Completion
- All outcome measures required by the assessment program must be passed successfully
- All financial obligations must be cleared
Social Work