College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

35326-06-3_PG_ACA_IMG_Grad-Social-Behavioral-Sciences_08-2023

Mission Statement

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students to become professionals, leaders, and change agents in their chosen fields and communities. We offer a variety of academic programs that support career paths that make a difference in response to human societal causes, issues, and needs. Program offerings focus on the knowledge required within these fields as well as ethics, decision-making, communication, and critical thinking skills.

General Policies

Criminal Background Check Policy

If you cannot pass a background check, you will likely experience limitations and/or restrictions on employment opportunities. You must have an approved criminal background check for any program that includes a practicum.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

Alabama Students

State authorization to provide a program related to the preparation of teachers or other P–12 school/system personnel does not indicate eligibility for an Alabama certificate. Applicants for an Alabama certificate based on reciprocity must meet Alabama's test requirements and submit a valid, renewable professional educator certificate/license issued by another state at the degree level, grade level, and in the teaching field or area of instructional support for which an Alabama certificate is sought and for which Alabama issues a certificate. Applicants for Alabama certification in an area of administration must also document at least 3 years of full-time employment as an administrator in a P–12 school system(s).

Website: http://www.alsde.edu

Tennessee Students

Specific education master's degrees are not recognized for initial licensure in Tennessee and cannot be used to add endorsement areas to a Tennessee license. Potential students are strongly encouraged to confirm salary rating and license renewal policies with their school district and/or state department, when applicable.

Benefits for Tennessee K–12 teachers enrolled in the Master of Science in Education or the Master of Science in Education's leadership essentials concentration include:

  • Salary increase and/or licensure renewal1
  • Career advancement, i.e., those completing the leadership essentials concentration may gain the necessary leadership knowledge and skills to be eligible for a department chair or other nonlicensure administrative role

Benefits of the Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology include:

  • Entry into a career as an instructional designer or instructional technologist
  • Ability to fine-tune skills related to design, development, and evaluation of instructional programs, materials, and media
1

Check with your school district and/or the Tennessee Department of Education prior to enrollment.