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Undergraduate Programs

Explore more than 40 majors and minors.

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Graduate & Online

Explore on-campus and online graduate programs.

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Begin an amazing new chapter in your life.

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Admission Requirements

You belong at DWU. Take a look at the requirements for admission.

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Life at DWU

Living on campus is a great opportunity to make lifelong friends.

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Student Activities and Organizations

We offer a variety of ways to get involved on campus.

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Giving

Every gift helps our students, no matter how large or small.

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Alumni

There are many ways to stay connected to Dakota Wesleyan University.

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Behavioral Sciences

Explore Human Behavior

It’s complicated to understand why people do what they do. DWU’s behavioral sciences program provides a unique blend of sociology and psychology to help you build a career focused on human interaction.

What jobs can you do with a
behavioral sciences degree?

Work in a variety of areas:

Substance abuse and mental health

Social work

Social science or public opinion research 

Continue your education to pursue a career as a psychologist, cultural anthropologist, counselor or sociologist.

What's the Difference? 

  • Study and practice historical and theoretical research methods.  
  • Understand and apply theories to behaviors.  
  • Conduct research as an undergraduate at DWU.  
  • Look ahead with our 96% job or graduate school placement rate.  

Behavioral Sciences Courses

Learn about individual and group interactions, how people experience their surroundings, and ways to identify and understand human behavior.

PSY 131 General Psychology

3 Hours
This overview of the discipline explores human and animal behavior and consciousness. The diversity within the discipline is reflected in the range of subjects presented, including motivation, emotion, perception, sensation, learning, intelligence and personality.

PSY 202 History of Psychology

3 Hours
This course is a study of the major people, movements and events in the evolution of the discipline. This course attempts to make connections between historical and current developments within the field.

PSY 237 Developmental Psychology

3 Hours
This course is a sequential study of the individual from conception to death. Students will study research regarding human physical, cognitive and social-emotional development, along with implications for parents, teachers and counselors.

PSY 450 Practicum/Internship

1 Hours
This course is for juniors and seniors. Students will be placed into a position that will allow them exposure to and appropriate participation in an institution orprofessional practice associated with the field of psychology. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and chair of the department of psychology.

PSY 460 Independent Study

1 Hours
Students will select a project for intensive study. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and chair of the department of psychology.

SOC 152 Introduction to Sociology

3 Hours
This course is an introduction to the study of groups, institutions and interactional processes in human societies with an emphasis on the society of the United States.

SOC 312 Methods of Social Research

3 Hours
This course is an introduction to the research process as applied to social and psychological subjects. Students will study problem formulation, research design, instrument design, project administration, data analysis and interpretation, report writing and issues in research. A research project is required. Students interested in obtaining a social work license in South Dakota or graduate study in sociology need this course.

SOC 332 Social Psychology

3 Hours
Students will study individual attitudes, self-development and behavior as affected by group interaction. Attention is given to socio-biology, symbolic interactionism, Freudian psychology and experimental social psychology.

Get to Know Your Professors

Discover behavioral sciences with our knowledgeable professors. Our low student-to-teacher ratio offers valuable one-on-one interaction with professors. 

Julie Hart Schutte, M.S.

Assistant Professor of Psychology

The Experience

Find Your Passion in Behavioral Sciences

Studying behavioral sciences will prepare you for a career dedicated to helping people. With a major or minor, you can choose interesting elective classes to complete your degree.

Take electives like: 

  •  Organizational Behavior  
  • Interpersonal Communication  
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice  
  • Criminology  
  • Juvenile Justice  
  • Nonprofit Development and Management  
  • Program Design and Evaluation
  •  Theory and practice of Counseling  
  • Group Counseling  
  • Abnormal Psychology  
  • Family Counseling  
  • Marriage and the Family  
  • Minority Groups  
  • Women and Gender Studies

Related Majors & Minors

Criminal Justice

Become a part of the solution with a Criminal Justice degree.

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    Psychology

    Study the inner workings of the human mind with a psychology degree from DWU.

    Explore

      Sociology

      Learn how to understand human dynamics related to family, religion, economics, government and education.

      Explore

        Nonprofit Administration

        The nonprofit sector is the third largest employment sector in the United States and Dakota Wesleyan University offers the only nonprofit administration major in the region.

        Explore
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