Behavioral Sciences, BS

About the Program

The Behavioral Sciences major includes studies in several disciplines to provide multiple perspectives on human behavior, culture, and society. It is designed to provide a strong foundation for employment in a variety of fields including public/social services as well as graduate school.

Degree Requirements

120 Credit Hours

Minimum GPA of 2. 0 required for graduation

PNW General Education Core (30 Credits)

• English Composition (6 Credits): ENGL 10400 English Composition I  and ENGL 10500 English Composition II  
• Speech Communication (3Credits): COM 11400 Fundamentals Of Speech Communication  
• Quantitative Reasoning (3 Credits): Select from the Gen Ed Quantitative Reasoning Core List  
• Natural Sciences (3 Credits): Select from the Gen Ed Natural Sciences Core List  
• Technology (3 Credits): Select from the Gen Ed Technology Core List  
• Humanities (3 Credits): Select from the Gen Ed Humanities Core List  
• Social Sciences (3 Credits): Select from the Social Sciences Core List  
• General Electives (3 Credits): select from the Gen Ed Core List  if needed to equal a total of 30 credits
• First Year Experience (FYE) (3 Credits): Select from the Gen Ed First Year Experience Core List  

CHESS College Core (24 Credits)

• CHSS 10000 Topics In Self & World  (3 Credits)
• CHSS 20000 Topics In Knowledge  (3 Credits)
• CHSS 30000 Topics In Individual & Society  (3 Credits)
• CHSS 40000 Topics In Happiness  (3 Credits)
• Science, Math, & Reasoning (12 Credits)

Major Core (36 Credits)

• SOC 10000 - Introductory Sociology
• SOC 38200 - Introduction To Statistics In Sociology or PSY 20100 Introduction To Statistics In Psychology  
• SOC 38300 - Introduction To Research Methods In Sociology or PSY 20300 Introduction To Research Methods In Psychology  
• Two Additional Introductory Courses in Behavioral Sciences: ANTH 10000 , ECON 10100 , HDFS 21000 , POL 13000 , POL 14100 , PSY 12000 , or SWRK 20100  
•  Area A - 30000-level or higher of ONE of the following disciplines: ANTH, ECON, HDFS, POL, PSY, or SWRK (6 Credits)
• Area B - 30000-level or higher of ONE of the following disciplines, but not the discipline from Area A: ANTH, ECON, HDFS, POL, PSY, or SWRK (6 Credits)
• Behavioral Science Elective - 30000-level or higher from a course in ANTH, ECON, HDFS, POL, PSY, SOC, or SWRK (3 Credits)                             
• SOC Electives - 3000-level or higher (6 Credits)                  

Other Required Courses (30 Credits)

• Free Electives (30 Credits) - Six (6) credits must be taken at the 30000-level or above

Civics Literacy Proficiency

The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue Northwest students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

• Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
• Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
• Earning a passing grade for one of the approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.

Total 120 Credits Required

Degree Map

Requirements

Minimum Grade and Grade Point Average (GPA):  2.0 GPA

Experiential Learning (EL):  One EL course required.  EL courses are noted by (e) next to the course title.

General Education Core:  General Education notations can be found within the course description.  Please click on a course to see if it meets a Gen Ed requirement.

Milestone Courses noted by (m) next to the course title have been identified as being critical to your success in this field of study. 

Please see the Additional Information and Guidelines section below for more information.

Additional Information and Guidelines

Note 1: All four CHESS Core seminar courses, CHSS 10000, CHSS 20000, CHSS 30000, and CHS 40000, must be taken. Duplicates are not allowed.

Note 2: Choice of ANTH 10000, ECON 10100, HDFS 21000, POL 13000, POL 14100, PSY 12000 or SWRK 20100.

Note 3: Area A: 2 courses (6 credits) at 30000 level or higher in ONE of the following disciplines:  ANTH, ECON, HDFS, POL, PSY or SWRK.

Note 4: Area B: 2 courses (6 credits) at 30000 level or higher in ONE of the following disciplines (but not discipline from Area A): ANTH, ECON, HDFS, POL, PSY, or SWRK.