Social and Behavioral Sciences

The social and behavioral sciences (SBS) degree program integrates perspectives from psychology, sociology, and anthropology as it prepares students for careers in social services, mental health, law and public policy, early childhood care, and education. 

Designed to enhance students’ understanding of the psychosocial and cultural influences shaping individual lives and social institutions, the curriculum interweaves interdisciplinary courses in liberal arts (the LAC Common Core curriculum) with foundational SBS courses and a variety of courses providing more specific “tools of the trade.”   Required courses such as Childhood and Society, Deviance and Social Control, and Applied Social Policy reinforce appreciation of the impact of societal influences.  Students expand upon this knowledge through choices made from an extensive array of elective courses.

Many students focus their choice of electives thematically, pursuing a concentration or minor in counseling or in early childhood studies, or integrating their SBS degree with related minors such as global studies.

Just as important to SBS degree study are service learning and field experience opportunities, which enable students to apply classroom learning in the field.  The required sequence of Career Development courses, including the Internship, gives students opportunities to develop relevant skills while exploring professional opportunities firsthand – and often helps launch them in successful careers!

A range of students participate in the SBS program, from recent high school graduates exploring career options to seasoned professionals desiring additional education and career advancement.  A variety of options exist for students interested in receiving credit for prior course credits, work experience, and performance on placement exams. 

We also have transfer agreements for students who complete associate degrees in related fields, including students matriculating from Maine’s Community Colleges. Students must complete 120 credit hours of coursework (which may include transfer credits) to complete the degree.

Career Options

While most social and behavioral sciences (SBS) graduates go directly into employment, many have also successfully pursued graduate studies in social work, occupational therapy, counseling, teaching, law, and public policy and management. SBS graduates are working in a wide range of professional positions such as:

• Human services casework (child/family, adoption/foster care)
• Substance abuse counseling
• Residential casework & counseling
• Employment specialist/program development
• Hospice work
• Head Start/early childhood education
• Pastoral care counseling
• Training and development
• Teaching
• Law and legislative policy

For a more complete sampling of professional positions held by SBS graduates, please click here.

 Need more information? Click here to submit an online information request

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