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Department of

Psychology and

Sociology

programs

Programs and Courses

The department administers the following degree programs: B.A. in Psychology, B.S. in Psychology, and B.S. in Sociology. The department also offers certificate programs in Caregiving, Women's Studies, Religious Studies, and Criminal Justice, as well as minors in Psychology and Sociology.

The department offers a wide range of Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology courses, which are described in detail in the undergraduate bulletin. The courses being offered this semester and in the near future can be seen on the RAIN system.

Psychology and Sociology Curriculum Sheets


Certificate Programs and Minors

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The B.S. degree in Psychology is designed to introduce the students to the scientific evaluation of psychological theory and to familiarize them with the application of fundamental principles of behavior. It will provide a broad background for those who desire to pursue an advanced degree in the behavioral sciences or those who aspire to a career in social service.

The major professional opportunities for a person in the B.S. degree program in Psychology are to be found in social service areas of the public sector. Many students with this degree find employment with the State Department of Family & Children Services, the Department of Offender Rehabilitation, Juvenile Courts, and various mental health/mental retardation agencies operated by the State Department of Human Resources. Other opportunities exist with federal agencies such as the Department of Labor and Social Security. Particular job titles with these agencies include Social Work Technician, Social Worker, Pension Counselor, Behavioral Specialist, Mental Health Technician, Counselor, and Probation Officer.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

This curriculum is designed to provide a research oriented background in Psychology for individuals who wish to pursue graduate study in Behavioral Science. The GSW student interested in pursuing a professional degree (Masters or Doctorate in Psychology, Criminology, Counseling, or Child Development) is encouraged to enroll in this degree program. A wide variety of career opportunities in social service delivery agencies is available to students holding advanced degrees in Behavioral Science. A student wishing to teach Psychology at the post-secondary level would also need an advanced degree, and this curriculum is an appropriate preparation for graduate study.

Bachelor of Science in Sociology

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology is designed to familiarize the student with the structure and functioning of society, to develop greater understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural groups, to stimulate constructive analysis of sociological patterns, to encourage further research on human social behavior, and to prepare students for productive careers in a wide variety of occupations and professions. Sociology is the study of social life and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. It investigates the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, as well as their formation, development, and interactions. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from the sociology of work to the sociology of sport. In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance.

Various occupations and professions are available at the local, state and national levels to the person who majors in sociology. Many of the agencies affiliated with the Georgia Department of Human Resources, such as the Department of Family and Children Services and the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, employ social service personnel. Other positions exist in state agencies dealing with juvenile and adult offenders. Local agencies and organizations requiring social service personnel include the Council on Aging, the Sumter Regional Hospital, Magnolia Manor Retirement Center, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute. While many sociologists hold positions in social service and educational fields, an increasing number hold a wide variety of jobs in such sectors as business, the health professions, the criminal justice system, and in government.

Nationally, sociologists are commonly employed by governmental agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, the Bureau of the Census, the National Institutes of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Commerce, and many others. Sociologists also direct, advise, and review research sponsored by foundations such as Russell Sage, Carnegie, and Ford, and likewise they work with business, technology, and industry.

Sociologists also teach at the community college, college, and university levels, as well as increasingly at high school levels across the nation. Preparation for graduate school is, of course, an integral part of the individual student's program.

And yet, career payoffs are not the only reason for studying sociology. Its subject matter holds considerable interest for its own sake. Certainly sociology offers valuable preparation for other sorts of careers. Sociology is a popular major for students planning futures in such professions as law, business, education, architecture, medicine, social work, and public administration.

Caregiving Certificate Program

The Caregiving Specialist Certificate is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for continued study, specialized work or a career in a caregiving field. This Certificate is the only one of its kind in the state and represents a unique commitment of Georgia Southwestern State University to prepare leaders in the field of Caregiving. For more information, please refer to the proposal describing the unique features of this program.

Women's Studies Certificate Program

Women's Studies is a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding and analysis of women's positions and experiences in past and present societies. The Women's Studies Program seeks to help students recognize and understand how their lives have been culturally constructed by notions of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and class.

Religious Studies Certificate Program

The certificate in Religious Studies Program is an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary effort that seeks to broaden the student's understanding of and appreciation for religion both as an historical and cultural phenomenon.

Admission to the Religious Studies Program must be approved by the Religious Studies Program Coordinator. Students must complete at least 12 semester hours in courses numbered 3000 or above. A minimum grade of "C" is required in all course work counted towards the certificate.

Criminal Justice Certificate Program

The purpose of the Criminal Justice Certificate Program is to provide students with knowledge about America's criminal justice system.  The program is interdisciplinary and complementary to existing programs; specifically, students take courses from the Departments of Sociology, Political Science, and Communication. Completing of the Criminal Justice Program certifies that individuals are familiar with the purpose, function, and operation of the criminal justice system.