College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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
Please refer to the individual program pages for program-specific policies and the Policy Information section for general Purdue Global policies.
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.
In addition to the programs below, see Additional Offerings for information about other enrollment opportunities. For a list of additional offerings by subject, see the Area of Study index of the Micro-credential Bulletin.
Bachelor of Science in Communication
The Bachelor of Science in Communication program is designed to provide you with the skills to become an effective communicator in today's competitive, global workplace. The interdisciplinary approach combines both theory and application, enabling you to gain a critical understanding of social issues, new media, and effective writing and speaking skills.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to offer a level of academic study that provides you with a solid foundation in criminal justice and a broad liberal arts knowledge base. The baccalaureate program combines the professional skills of various specialized areas of criminal justice with research and analytical skills.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration builds on the foundations of early childhood development best practices while preparing you to administer early childhood programs focusing on children from birth through age 8. Foundation coursework concentrates on growth and development, applied theory, health and nutrition, lesson planning, business administration, program leadership and advocacy, current issues and trends, ethics and professionalism, and strategies for building family and community relationships in a diverse society in the early childhood field.
Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management
The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management program is designed for emergency services personnel, as well as emergency and disaster management personnel, and addresses the challenges in disaster planning, disaster response, technology, human resource management, and fiscal responsibility. Private and public sector employers are demanding higher levels of training and education for those who lead our nation's emergency management response teams during catastrophic disasters, terrorist incidents, and typical emergencies. This bachelor's degree is designed to empower you to pursue leadership roles in modern emergency preparedness, disaster planning, and disaster response organizations. Additionally, this program could help increase your administrative and management knowledge as well as awareness of occupational and life safety challenges impacting the emergency management discipline.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Management
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Management program offers an interdisciplinary opportunity to study environmental issues and policy from a perspective that explores the interrelationship between public and private sectors and society, economics, and the environment. The program focuses on the environment in conjunction with a set of core courses in science, economics, and policy.
Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management
The Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management program is designed for emergency services personnel and addresses the new challenges in technology, human resource management, and fiscal responsibility. This bachelor's degree is designed to empower you to pursue leadership roles that include managing all aspects of modern fire, EMS, and emergency preparedness agencies.
Bachelor of Science in Fire Science
The Bachelor of Science in Fire Science is designed to provide you with foundational skills in firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics. In addition, the program explores technical, legal, and social aspects of arson, the application of technology to firefighting, and the psychological effects of fire dynamics.
Bachelor of Science in Human Services
The Bachelor of Science in Human Services program draws from multiple disciplines, such as health services, psychology, sociology, law, and criminal justice, to help prepare you to meet the complex challenges of the twenty-first century in the growing field of human services. The program is designed to help you gain the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and experience to assess, intervene, and evaluate the situations of the most vulnerable in our society in order to provide services that respond to the needs of clients.
Bachelor of Science in Human Services in Youth/Family Services and Administration
(Not Accepting Enrollments, Effective March 2, 2022) Students interested in a similar program may consider the Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
The Bachelor of Science in Human Services in Youth/Family Services and Administration program draws from multiple disciplines, such as developmental psychology, sociology, law, and criminal justice, to help prepare you to meet the complex challenges in the growing field of human services. You will be prepared to enter careers in family and youth services, social services and administration, juvenile and family law, program planning, case management, and community advocacy.
Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services
The Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services program is designed to offer a broad-based foundation in the knowledge of the law and other related practical study areas, in conjunction with the practical and technical skills and competencies required of various professions in the legal field. Comprehensive study in areas such as legal research and writing, American justice system, legal ethics, legal philosophy, and various legal disciplines help prepare you for diverse career opportunities.
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
(Not Accepting Enrollments, Effective November 11, 2020) Students interested in a similar program may consider the Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies.
If you have prior learning credit and are interested in creating a program to meet personal and professional interests, consider the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies program. The degree-completion program allows you to receive credit for eligible prior learning, which may include transfer credit from an accredited institution, military training, or other experiential learning.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is designed to provide you with content knowledge of the major concepts, values, theories, psychological studies, research methods, and historical trends in psychology as they apply to human behavior, learning, and development. This degree will prepare you to pursue career opportunities in various fields where you may implement your psychological knowledge, skills, and values. The program may prepare you for graduate work to pursue more specialized careers. You will study how psychology relates to everyday life and the importance of culture and diversity. Courses are designed to help you develop and use psychological skills, critical thinking, and the scientific approach to problem solving to evaluate behavior and mental processes while applying psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Addictions
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Addictions provides you with content knowledge of the major concepts, values, theories, psychological studies, research methods, and historical trends in psychology as they apply to the many aspects of addiction science, assessment, prevention, intervention, treatment, and case management.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) degree provides you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to prepare for graduate study or to work effectively with individuals in a variety of settings. This program provides an examination of the design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavioral principles.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program provides foundational preparation for a variety of roles in business, government, and nonprofit organizations utilizing rigor and methods of psychology as applied to issues of critical relevance and to organizational effectiveness: talent management, coaching, assessment, selection, training, organizational development, performance (i.e., improvement, management), and work-life balance.
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare you with applied knowledge, technical skills, communication abilities, and general knowledge to pursue a wide range of entry-level positions in the field of criminal justice. Upon graduation, you may pursue employment opportunities in various criminal justice environments such as law enforcement, courts, adult and juvenile corrections, corporate security, public safety, loss prevention, private protective services or investigations, or community-based programs and services.
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development
The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development program is designed to provide you with the introductory knowledge and skills to work with young children (birth through age 8) and families in early childhood settings. Specific emphasis is placed on the young child's growth and development, working with children in the inclusive classroom, health and nutrition needs, and lesson planning and implementation.
Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science
The Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science is designed to provide you with foundational skills in firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics. In addition, the program explores technical, legal, and social aspects of arson, the application of technology to firefighting, and the psychological effects of fire dynamics.
Associate of Applied Science in Human Services
The Associate of Applied Science in Human Services program draws from multiple disciplines, such as health services, psychology, sociology, law, and criminal justice, to help prepare you to meet the complex challenges of the twenty-first century in the growing field of human services. The program is designed to help you gain the introductory skills, knowledge, and attitudes to assess the situations of the most vulnerable in our society in order to provide services that respond to the needs of clients.
Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services
The Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services program is designed to offer a broad-based foundation in the knowledge of the law and other related practical study areas, in conjunction with the practical and technical skills and competencies required of various professions in the legal field. Comprehensive study in areas such as legal research and writing, civil litigation, legal ethics, torts, and various legal disciplines help prepare you for diverse career opportunities.
Associate of Applied Science in Public Safety and Security
(Not Accepting Enrollments, Effective February 3, 2021) Students interested in a similar program may consider the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice.
The Associate of Applied Science in Public Safety and Security is created around a variety of public service disciplines including emergency management, law enforcement, corporate security, loss prevention, private investigations, and security. This program is designed to provide you with the foundational skills, knowledge, and communication abilities needed in today’s fast-paced world of public safety at the private and governmental levels.
Applied Behavior Analysis Postbaccalaureate Certificate
If you are interested in expanding your knowledge of applied behavior analysis in order to meet the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® Examination, consider the Applied Behavior Analysis Postbaccalaureate Certificate program.
Crime Scene Technician Certificate
The Crime Scene Technician Certificate program is designed to provide you with a foundational understanding of the analytical procedures used by crime scene technicians, as well as the documentation, collection, and preservation processes employed to handle evidence. Program coursework will cover evidentiary procedures in a criminal investigation, such as locating, collecting, and analyzing crime scene evidence, handling and processing physical evidence, identifying the boundaries of a crime scene, managing a crime scene, and searching the crime scene for specific types of evidence that can be used in a criminal prosecution.
Human Services Certificate in Child and Family Services
The Human Services Certificate in Child and Family Services is designed for individuals who want to secure a position or potential promotion in the field of human services. The curriculum will introduce you to child and family services and provide basic skills and general knowledge.
Human Services Certificate in Elder Care Services
The Human Services Certificate in Elder Care Services is designed for individuals who wish to enter the field of gerontology with a basic foundation centered on working with the older adult population. The curriculum will introduce and enhance basic skills as well as focus on some of the specific knowledge required of a human services professional who has a goal of working in elder care services.
Legal Secretary Certificate
(Not accepting Enrollments, Effective April 17, 2024) Students interested in a similar program may consider the Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services or Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services.
The Legal Secretary Certificate program is designed to provide you with an introduction to legal secretarial skills and enhance your abilities on the job. Coursework focuses on the role of the paralegal in the civil litigation process and helps you develop the skills necessary for effective legal writing, document processing, and use of software applications.
Management and Supervision Certificate in Criminal Justice
If you are currently a professional in the criminal justice field or interested in learning more about the profession, the Management and Supervision Certificate in Criminal Justice could help increase your knowledge of supervision and management. You will study supervisory practices in criminal justice organizations, management theory and how to manage in a criminal justice organization, organizational behavior, employment law, and human resource development.
Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate
If you already possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and want to enter the paralegal profession, consider the Pathway to Paralegal Postbaccalaureate Certificate program. Courses teach you how to communicate effectively in a legal environment, conduct legal research, and evaluate legal sources.