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School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Behavioral Sciences

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B.S. Behavioral Sciences

Why do we behave the way we do? What motivates us to act in certain ways? And what influences human behaviors and motivations? If you’re fascinated by these questions—like we are—then the Behavioral Sciences major might be right for you.

We offer an expansive and interdisciplinary course of study, turning to psychology, sociology, geography and anthropology for the theories and professional applications that can help us better understand questions about who we are and why we do the things we do.

Our program stresses dynamic, hands-on learning and includes important service learning opportunities, all aimed at helping you better analyze the diverse, quickly-changing world we live in. And with our Sociology and Social Policy major track, you’ll explore our human actions (and interactions) and consciousness are shaping by cultural and social structures.

As part of your course of study, you’ll examine social problems, institutions, and structures, along with cross-cultural interactions. Our graduates are prepared to pursue careers or advanced degrees in a number of fields, including law, government, anthropology or sociology.

Upon completion of the B.A. undergraduate program in Behavioral Sciences, students will be able to:

  1. The student will apply intellectual frameworks and models to interpret social interaction from the Behavioral Sciences perspective.
  2. The student will apply research approaches from anthropology and Sociology.
  3.  The student will apply anthropological and sociological concepts related to social justice to current problems and issues in society.
  4. The student will assess contemporary social issues through the lens of cultural diversity.
Pre-Major Requirements (9 credits)
  • PSY 101 General Psychology
  • AN 200 Cultural Anthropology
  • SO 200 Introductory Sociology
Foundation Requirements (12 credits)
  • PSY 200 Life Span Development
  • SO 302 Theory in the Behavioral Sciences
  • PSY 321 Psychology of Personality
  • PSY 322 Social Psychology
Major Requirements (31 credits)

Social Issues (choose three):

  • AN 341 Virtual Worlds, Digital Realities
  • SO 308 Social Problems
  • SO 311 Marriage and the Family
  • SO 407 Society and Mental Disorders

Cross-Cultural Interaction (choose four):

  • AN 340 Contemporary Peoples of Hawaii
  • AN 350 Cultures of Oceania
  • AN 357 East Asian Societies
  • SO 331 Asian American Communities
  • SO 360 Sociology and Philosophy of Gender
  • SO 401 Race and Ethnic Relations

Pre-Professional Course:

  • SO 327 Career Development in the Behavioral Sciences*

Research Skills & Senior Thesis:

  • SO 317 Social Research Methods and Evaluations
  • SO 494 Senior Thesis Research*
  • SO 498 Senior Thesis*

*course must be completed at Chaminade University

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Faculty

Our faculty members are leaders in their fields. They believe in the power of personal experience—stressing mentorship, collaboration and project-based learning inside and outside the classroom.

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Accreditation

Chaminade University of Honolulu is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Chaminade’s Education division is awarded Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) accreditation by the Inquiry Brief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Chaminade’s undergraduate and graduate education degree programs are accredited by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.