2023 - 2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Psychology and Sociology
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Dr. Brian Andrews, Department Head
| Dr. Frank Elwell |
Dr. Lori O’Malley |
| Ms. Christian Mackey |
Dr. Michelle Taylor |
| Dr. Sonya Munsell |
Dr. Kevin M.P. Woller |
The Mission and Goals of the Department of Psychology and Sociology
The mission of the Department of Psychology and Sociology is to assist students in developing knowledge and understanding of social and psychological issues and to operate effectively in today’s social and culturally diverse community. In pursuit of this mission, the department will:
- Foster skills of critical thinking, writing, research, and oral communication and provide traditional and nontraditional students quality associate and baccalaureate degrees.
- Foster values of scholarship, creativity, appreciation of diversity, and community service among our faculty, staff, and students.
- Serve the University and the community through the provision of quality general education courses, which promote lifelong learning and service to a diverse population.
- Promote a community of scholars among faculty and students through research and scholarly experiences.
- Offer and promote student and community interaction to create opportunities for cultural, intellectual, and personal enrichment.
ProgramsAssociate in Arts
Students who successfully complete an approved program with emphasis in liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, or business subject areas are awarded the Associate in Arts degree.
These degree programs are designed as an integral part of the four-year programs if students ultimately pursue a baccalaureate degree.
Accounting
Business Administration
Criminal Justice Studies
Option: Collegiate Officer Program
Option: Law/Justice
Elementary Education
Liberal Arts
Option: General
Option: English
Option: English (Secondary Education)
Option: Native American Studies
Secondary Education
Option: Social Studies
Social Sciences
Option: Psychology
Option: Sociology
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Communications
Option: Broadcasting and New Media
Option: Communication Arts
Option: Strategic Communications
The Bachelor of Arts in Communications stresses competence in oral and written communication and critical thinking skills that will serve the student for a lifetime. Students also acquire specific knowledge and skills needed to function in a variety of career opportunities at broadcast facilities, corporations, and civic enterprises. Such endeavors include, but are not limited to, media production/talent, corporate management, marketing, advertising and public relations, sales, promotions, law school, ministry, human relations, public speaking, and corporate and civic leadership.
Bachelor of Arts
Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies program is a multidisciplinary program focusing on local, national, and global environmental problems. Through a series of academic courses, students will examine the relationships between the environment and life on the planet including such issues as climate change, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, resource depletion, sustainability, and mitigation activities.
The Environmental Studies Program mission supports the University Mission to “provide a general liberal arts education supporting specialized academic programs and prepares students for lifelong learning and service in a diverse society.” In addition, students in the program will “foster student excellence in oral and written communications, scientific reasoning, and critical and creative thinking.”
Bachelor of Arts
History
Option: American History
Option: General History
Option: Military History
The Bachelor of Arts in History with options in American and General History stresses competence in oral and written communication. Students will acquire a specific knowledge of skill set needed to function in a variety of well compensated career opportunities associated with the study of History, including law, higher and secondary education, government, museum studies, etc. Many students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History can be expected to seek graduate education in a variety of fields.
The Bachelor of Arts Military History option equips students for careers in the armed forces, the academic field of military history, law, public administration, education, journalism, security, intelligence, and government. It is excellent preparation for advanced graduate study. The core curriculum covers military history; leadership; technology; research methods in history and the social sciences; war and society; and the connections between war, ethics, and religion. Specific skills students will develop include analysis, critical thinking, writing, problem solving, organizing and presenting information, and basic research competencies. Electives provide in-depth study of military conflicts, international relations, and US foreign policy.
Bachelor of Arts
Liberal Arts
Option: English
Option: Global Humanities
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is structured similar to traditional liberal arts education, providing broad integrative courses in two areas of the liberal arts: English and Global Humanities. The multidisciplinary nature of the degree allows the student to experience a diversity of perspectives on the human condition. The degree is designed to provide a firm foundation in our cultural heritage as well as to foster creativity among individuals.
The degree also provides many opportunities to develop skills in artistic expression, writing, and critical thinking. It is intended that graduates of this degree will have the skills and knowledge base to thrive in graduate or professional school as well as in the modern economy.
Bachelor of Arts
Political Science
Option: American Government
Option: Public Administration
Option: International Relations
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is designed to provide students with the academic background to pursue careers in a variety of public sector careers, including politics, public and private sector administration, and nonprofit administration. Students can select between American Government and public administration options. International relations is a well-established sub-field in political science. The addition of an international relations option will require minimum additional curricula, and will help attract additional majors to the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree program.
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
Biology
Option: Environmental Conservation
Option: Medical/Molecular
Option: General Biology
The Bachelor of Science in Biology is founded on the traditional disciplines of botany, zoology, and genetics but extends into newer areas of study including molecular biology, conservation, and ecology.
The four-year general biology degree in environmental conservation diverges from traditional wildlife and fisheries management programs that emphasize curriculum in taxonomy and game management. Unique to this program is a curriculum that emphasizes statistics, ecological toxicology (contaminants and pollutants), and environmental conservation that addresses contemporary issues in ecosystem management, landscape ecology, and regional and global threats to biodiversity.
The field of molecular and cellular biology is expanding rapidly as biotechnology explodes in the pure and applied areas. This molecular biology program will prepare students to participate in this trend. With recent completion of mapping the entire human genome, it is expected that molecular biologists will be in higher demand than ever before. A growing list of research establishments, such as medical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and biotechnology companies will have increased need for scientists possessing molecular biology knowledge and skills. The use of such knowledge and skills is not limited to human research. Molecular biology careers also include fields such as plant biotechnology, animal breeding, food technology, forensic science, environmental biology, plant pathology, and wildlife management.
Bachelor of Science
Business Administration
Option: Accounting
Option: Entrepreneurship
Option: Human Resources Management
Option: Management
Option: Marketing
Option: Supply Chain Management
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration curriculum is planned to maximize the educational experience of students choosing this major. Students entering the program as freshmen will earn 41 hours in general education, 15 hours of basic business, 27 hours in the upper-division business core, and 21-30 hours in accounting, entrepreneurship, human resources management, management, supply chain management, or marketing. While completing these requirements, students may select minors in areas other than business or complete their baccalaureate degrees by choosing elective courses. Students entering the program with previous college courses that do not count elsewhere will find the curriculum designed to be transfer-friendly with 5-11 free elective hours.
The business administration major offers a choice of six options. The Accounting option is chosen by students who are interested in a career in accounting or a related occupation after they graduate. The Entrepreneurship option prepares students who wish to start their own business. The Human Resources Management option is selected by students planning to work in some area of personnel either in the public or private sector of the economy. Management is the option chosen by those students wanting a broad-based study of business. The Marketing option prepares students for employment in the broad area of marketing with emphasis on marketing strategy, the marketing mix, and e-marketing. The Supply Chain Management option combines key business processes from the final consumer through original suppliers that provide products, services, and information that add value for customers.
The basic business courses and the upper-level business core ensure that every student graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is well grounded in Business Administration while the options of Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources Management, Management, Marketing and Supply Chain Management allow the students to develop more specialized knowledge to pursue their focused interests. Detailed information regarding the employment outlook for students choosing these options may be found by referring to two publications of the United States Department of Labor: the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Bachelor of Science
Business Information Technology
Option: Computer Network Administration
Option: Software Development and Multimedia
Option: Game Development
Option: Esports
The Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology degree is designed to meet the growing demand for information technology specialists capable of communicating effectively and who understand business processes. This degree has four options including Computer Network Administration and Software Development and Multimedia, Game Development, and Esports.
The Computer Network Administration option includes the study of network operating systems, network security, configuration of network components, and emerging technologies.
Careers for students with this option may include system network administrators, system specialists, and network specialists.
The Software Development and Multimedia option focuses on object-oriented technology, software engineering, multimedia and web development, and emerging technologies. Careers for students with this option include web masters, web programmers, computer programmers, systems analysts, and software engineers.
The Game Development option prepares students for careers in game development for entertainment, training, and education. Graduates will also possess skills that will enable to pursue other career paths such as multimedia artistry and animation, computer programming, and software engineering.
The ESport option will allow students to apply their gaming skills as well as knowledge in marketing, management, and finance in an increasing eSports workforce.
Bachelor of Science
Community Counseling
Focus Area: Addictions
Focus Area: Aging/Gerontology
Focus Area: Child/Adolescence
Focus Area: Marriage and Family Studies
Focus Area: General
The Bachelor of Science degree in Community Counseling is designed to foster an understanding of counseling theories, social issues, and effective counseling practice with a diverse population. The degree will prepare students to work with children, adults, families, and groups in numerous human service settings.
Bachelor of Science
Justice Administration
Option: Collegiate Officer Program
Option: Cyber Investigation
Option: Law/Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration prepares students for careers in the criminal justice system. In addition to a thorough grounding in analytic and communication skills, the student will acquire specific knowledge needed to function in a variety of career opportunities in law enforcement agencies, government regulatory agencies, corrections facilities, or corporate security departments.
Bachelor of Science
Allied Health Sciences
Option: Pre-Athletic Training
Option: Pre-Physical Therapy
Option: Pre-Occupational Therapy
The Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences prepares students to apply for admission to a professional preparation programs leading to licensure in the allied health care professions of athletic training, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. In addition, completion of this degree will provide the knowledge and skills necessary for a variety of health and fitness careers. The curriculum offers business classes as electives which uniquely qualifies its graduates for positions as medical/health service managers. As the population continues to increase in age, its health care needs also increase and the need for graduates in these allied health careers will continue to rise.
Bachelor of Science
Nursing BSN
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed to prepare an entry-level practitioner. Generic entry students complete the competitive nursing curriculum in four semesters and those entering as LPN/Paramedic to BSN students complete the curriculum in three semesters. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing has granted approval for the bachelor’s degree in nursing. The program is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Admission is competitive.
Bachelor of Science
Nursing RN-to-BSN
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, specifically designed for the Registered Nurse, provides an opportunity for any licensed registered nurse educated at the associate degree or diploma level to achieve academic and personal goals and to develop stronger clinical reasoning and analytical skills to advance their careers.
Bachelor of Science
Organizational Leadership
Option: Business Studies
Option: Liberal Studies
Option: Social Studies
The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership makes available to nontraditional adult learners a multidisciplinary undergraduate degree alternative that is flexible, individualized, and relevant to the student’s learning and career needs, while fulfilling traditional university requirements and meeting the student’s specific goals for a college degree.
Bachelor of Science
Social Science
Option: Environmental Studies
Option: Psychology
Option: Sociology
The Bachelor of Science in Social Science degree begins with an interdisciplinary core that centers on the broad perspectives, methodologies, and findings of the social sciences. This core requires the application of this knowledge through significant hands-on experience in community, professional, or government organizations. In addition to this integrative core, students choose from options in Environmental Studies, Psychology, or Sociology.
These three options within the degree enable students to focus on the perspectives and substantive findings of the traditional disciplines, thus allowing students to follow their particular interests and passions.
The Environmental Studies option is interdisciplinary in its perspective, examining the environmental impacts of human societies and how these relationships affect the entire sociocultural system. The Psychology and Sociology options focus on individual behavior, contemporary social structure, and social change.
All three options foster the development of critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and written and oral communication skills. The Social Science degree is designed to provide a broad-based interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary social science education. It is intended to prepare students for further study in graduate or professional school or to take an immediate and productive role in the modern economy.
Bachelor of Science
Sport Management
Option: Sport Business
Option: Fitness Management
The Bachelor of Science in Sport Management degree is designed to assist students to meet their primary professional and personal goals, including graduating with sufficient competitive skills and knowledge to obtain meaningful employment and facilitate reasonable career advancement in the area of sport management. Through this program, students are educated for careers as administrators and managers in athletic, health, and country clubs, as well as entry-level management positions in college and professional athletic organizations.
Additionally, students are prepared for a diversity of roles in the areas of sport marketing and promotions, facility management and planning, activity programming, and event management. An internship at the conclusion of students’ academic preparation provides them with on-the-job experience and networking opportunities. In addition to employment, this degree will prepare students for graduate school.
Master of Science in Community CounsellingMinor
A minor requires completion of at least 18-24 designated credit hours of coursework outside the student’s major field, including a minimum of 9 upper-division credit hours, and may have a required core. The same courses may not be used to fulfill the requirements for both a major and a minor. To complete a minor, a student is required to earn six 3000-4000 level credit hours in that minor at RSU.
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