Faculty:
Janet K. Puls, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Ph.D., Professor of Human Services and Psychology, Chair-Social and Behavioral Sciences Division
David Bailey, Psy.D., Professor of Psychology
Keith Beutler, Ph.D., Professor of History
Holly Brand, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology
*Tammy Cox, M.A., Assistant Professor of Education; Director of Teacher Education
**Tonia Crane, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Arlen R. Dykstra, Ph.D., Professor of History: Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
**Matthew C. Easter, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Bible
Joe Donald Heath, Ph.D., Visiting Lecturer in Corporate Security Leadership and Criminal Justice
Linda Nicole Johnson, M.S.W., ABD, Assistant Professor of Human Services and Psychology
James Kellogg, M.A., Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Program Coordinator
R. Alton Lacey, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology; President
*Alicia Noddings, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education; Assistant Dean – Education Division
*C. Clark Triplett, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Sociology; Vice President for Graduate Studies and Academic Program Review
*Christine Ward, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Counseling Education
Loftin Woodiel, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Corporate Security Leadership; Director of the Lewis and Clark Regional Learning Center
John Yehling, M.S.E., Instructor of Social/ Behavioral Sciences; Assistant Athletic Director
* Also listed under Education Division
**Also listed under Humanities Division
Mission Statement: In keeping with the mission of Missouri Baptist University, the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division provides a curriculum that enables students to think critically and analytically and in so doing, to think Christianly in the specific areas of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will gain a broad understanding of both theory and research in the major and/or minor areas, including majors in Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, History, Human Services, Psychology, and Social Sciences. Minors are offered in the areas of Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, History, Human Services, Political Science, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Sociology. Students majoring in Human Services and Criminal Justice develop entry-level skills for employment in these fields.
Behavioral Science
Mission Statement: The Behavioral Science major is organized within the context of an interdisciplinary liberal arts approach drawing from the disciplines of Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology, and Sociology. Each discipline addresses different dimensions of human behavior integrated to form a comprehensive view of the human condition.
Since the Behavioral Science major is interdisciplinary, drawing from the four areas mentioned above, students are not permitted to complete a second major or minor in any of these areas.
Criminal Justice
Mission Statement: In accordance with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University and the academic program, Criminal Justice is an area of study which seeks to provide Christ-centered quality higher education to traditional and adult students. The major provides an opportunity to prepare for careers in the various areas of the justice system at the entry level, and to prepare others for advancement within an agency.
History
Mission Statement: In accordance with the Mission Statement of Missouri Baptist University, the History major has several purposes: (1) to acquaint students with the commonly accepted factual data of human history; (2) to expose students to differing viewpoints and schools of historical interpretation; (3) to help students develop the ability to do independent research and to write competently in the field of history; (4) to encourage students to develop a Biblically-based Christian approach to historical study; and (5) to prepare History majors for careers in teaching*, or in other professional fields requiring a broad liberal arts background.
*Students seeking certification to teach high school history should major in Social Sciences in order to satisfy the state certification requirements for social studies 9-12.
Human Services
Mission Statement: In keeping with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University and the Social and Behavioral Science Division, the Human Services major prepares students for employment as generalists in the field of human services. The student will gain a broad understanding of theory and practice in the field, preparing them for entry-level positions. The curriculum draws from Psychology and Sociology, with specific courses in the human service field. Human Services should be considered if a student is planning graduate work in counseling or social work.
The Human Services major prepares students to work in various areas of social service including, but not exclusive to: employment assistance agencies1, nursing homes2, substance abuse agencies, developmental rehabilitation agencies3, youth services4, child care work4 and various church agencies5. The major also serves as an undergraduate foundation for professional counselors and social workers who are planning to pursue graduate degrees in counseling or social work. It is recommended that students majoring in Human Services complete a minor in Psychology or Sociology.
1 It is recommended that students planning a career as employee assistance counselors should take HUED 443/543 and MGMT 433 , in addition to the required courses in Human Services.
2 It is recommended that students planning a career in geriatric counseling take PSSC 423 and PSSC 443 , in addition to the required courses in Human Services.
3 It is recommended that students planning a career in probation and parole take CRJS 133 and CRJS 343 .
4 It is recommended that students planning a career in child care work or youth services should take HUSR 463 in addition to the required courses in Human Services.
5 It is recommended that students planning a career working with church agencies take CSCE 303 , in addition to the required courses in Human Services.
Psychology
Mission Statement: The Mission of the Missouri Baptist University psychology program is to educate students in the breadth and depth of the discipline of psychology and its practical applications. We integrate empirical science, theory, and practice, and train students to think critically about mental processes and behavior. Where mainstream psychology and the Bible conflict, it is our privilege and responsibility to incorporate our Christian faith into our classrooms, respectfully explaining from credible academic evidence why we continue to believe unashamedly in the superior authority and accuracy of the Bible.
Social Sciences
Mission Statement: In accordance with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University, the Social Sciences major has several purposes: (1) to prepare students to teach secondary social studies in the State of Missouri; (2) to acquaint students with the commonly-accepted factual data of human history; (3) to expose students to differing viewpoints and schools of historical interpretation; (4) to help students develop the ability to do independent research and to write competently in the field of history; (5) to encourage students to develop a Biblically-based Christian approach to historical study; (6) to prepare History majors for careers in teaching or in other professional fields requiring a broad liberal arts background; (7) to acquaint students with a broad range of social sciences and the conclusions which social scientists have currently reached.
A student majoring in Social Sciences is not permitted to major or minor in History.
Major
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Behavioral Science, BA
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Behavioral Science, BPS
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Behavioral Science, BS
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Criminal Justice, BA
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Criminal Justice, BPS
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Criminal Justice, BS
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History, BA
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History, BPS
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Human Services, BA
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Human Services, BPS
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Human Services, BS
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Psychology, BA
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Psychology, BPS
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Psychology, BS
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Social Sciences, BA
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Social Sciences, BPS
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Social Sciences, BS
Minor
