Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Welcome to the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at LCU.

The Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences provides instruction at the undergraduate level in family studies and psychology. In addition, the department is offers graduate degrees in family life education and counseling. As students grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually, we strive to:

• Prepare students for employment working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations of diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
• Equip students for lifelong learning including preparation for graduate programs in counseling, family studies, marital and family therapy, psychology, and social work.
• Empower and encourage students to provide community service with populations at risk through high ideals of the profession and the values of the University.

Graduates of the Department of Behavioral Sciences will be able to:

• Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional practice.
• Practice within the values and ethics of the helping profession and its current structures and issues.
• Apply the knowledge and skills of the behavioral sciences practice with systems of all sizes.
• Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual development and behavior and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice and, under supervision, to evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems.
• Use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and members of the community.
• Use supervision appropriate to professional practice.
• Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and, under supervision, seek necessary organizational change.
• Actively participate in community service.