The Social and Behavioral Sciences Department offers courses in anthropology, criminal justice, education, history, human services, political science, psychology, and sociology. It coordinates eight curricula: applied psychology (AS and BS) criminal justice (AS and BS), human services management, human services, liberal arts and sciences: social science, and liberal arts and sciences: adolescent education (teacher education transfer).
The applied psychology associate degree program offers students an opportunity to engage in the psychology field with an applied focus. The program establishes a foundation for entry-level careers or further study in psychology or related fields. This liberal arts-based curriculum will build communication and critical thinking skills that apply to a variety of professions helping people. Specific coursework includes counseling skills, crisis intervention, abnormal psychology, and professional ethics.
The applied psychology bachelor's degree program offers students an opportunity to obtain employment in a variety of applied career paths within the psychology field. Through classroom and hands-on work, students will learn the principles and application of psychology. Students will gain skills in communication, organization, and problem solving. The program will provide students with the necessary knowledge to conduct, write, and implement behavioral assessments. Students will also have an opportunity to evaluate, interpret and present applied psychological research.
The criminal justice associate degree program provides graduates a solid foundation in the field of criminal justice and its basic components. The program offers practical knowledge that is integrated across core criminal justice courses and that is then combined with other relevant course work. The program emphasizes the development, structure, and function of the criminal justice system within the US, as well as ethical law enforcement practices and community relations. In addition, the program's professional course work includes a management component that helps prepare graduates for administrative and leadership positions within the criminal justice system.
The criminal justice bachelor's degree program provides graduates a solid foundation in the field of criminal justice, both its essential components and emerging areas, with a focus on leadership and applied learning. With strong preparation in conceptual knowledge, students gain practical experience in criminal justice, including the opportunity to complete either an internship or a lab-based criminal investigation course in their final semester. In order to prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers, the program emphasizes several areas within criminal justice: ethical law enforcement practices, decision-making, community relations, working with diverse populations, public safety, and criminal justice leadership and administration.
The human services management bachelor's degree program prepares graduates for mid-level positions in human services and social services agencies requiring skills in both direct service to clients and in management. It also prepares them for transfer into graduate-level programs in such areas as human services, public administration, and social work administration.
The human services associate-level program prepares students for entry-level career positions in a variety of human service occupations or to continue their education in baccalaureate programs. Students who pursue careers upon graduation often work with the elderly or in programs that focus on early childhood, chemical dependency, or the mentally and developmentally disabled. Students who transfer often select baccalaureate majors in human services management, social work, criminal justice, education, human services, psychology, and sociology.
The liberal arts and sciences: social science associate degree program is a transfer program that provides flexibility to students in their choice of future major. Students take considerable course work in psychology, sociology, and history, and additional courses in mathematics, English, the humanities, and the natural sciences. When transferring, students often select baccalaureate majors in psychology, anthropology, sociology, political science, history, gerontology, communications, early childhood/childhood education, adolescent education, and criminal justice.
The liberal arts and sciences: adolescent education (teacher education transfer) associate-level program prepares graduates to transfer to a four-year adolescent education program at a public or private college or university. Students may select one of six concentrations: history/social studies, English, math, physics, biology, or chemistry.
MISSION
Develop and offer excellent academic programs in criminal justice, human services, social sciences, and education, and to develop and offer high-quality courses in the social and behavioral sciences that meet the program needs of the students of Alfred State.
FACILITIES
The department is housed in the Hunter Student Development Center, where mathematics, computer, and study skills labs, as well as classrooms, are equipped with the most recent technological teaching aids.
Use your cursor to move around the room at the Criminal Justice/Human Services Career
Fair on campus:
DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS
Applied Psychology (AS and BS)
Criminal Justice (AS)
Criminal Justice (BS)
Human Services (AS)
Human Services Management (BS)
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Adolescent Education - Teacher Education Transfer (AA)
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Social Science (AA)
