Lee University Catalog_2025-2026
Behavioral and Social Sciences
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 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Ruth Wienk, Chairperson
The Behavioral and Social Sciences Department has as its mission preparing students for occupations such as social work, counseling, law, human services administration, teaching and pastoring as well as for graduate and professional schools in areas concerned with human behavior and the social world. We believe our students should be taught the Christian perspective on the behavioral and social sciences and should plan to be involved in vocations that fulfill the great commission of Jesus. A broad liberal arts undergraduate education should expand the students’ understanding of their own social context, increase their knowledge of individual behavior and facilitate their adjustment to a rapidly changing social world by preparing them to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. We offer majors in Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Sociology. Teacher licensure can be obtained in psychology for 9th through 12th grade. Minors are offered in criminal justice, psychology and sociology, as well as practical minors in social work and counseling, which include practicums and courses in social work and counseling.
Psychology
Distinguished Professor Paul Conn
Professors Susan Ashcraft, Trevor Milliron, Heather Quagliana, and Jeffrey Sargent
Professors Michael Dieterich (European Theological Seminary), Bryan Poole, Kristee Williams
Associate Professors Jerome Hammond, Brandon Rogers, and H. Edward Stone
Assistant Professors Julie Gardenhire and Jennifer Thomas
Sociology
Associate Professors Arlie Tagayuna and Ruth Wienk
Disciplines
Criminal Justice
Psychology
Sociology
Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is designed to study the liberal arts aspect of the institutions of the criminal justice system in order to equip majors in the field of social sciences (i.e. sociology, anthropology, psychology and others), and individuals who are interested in studying the field of the criminal and/or the juvenile justice system, and other government institution that deals with the issues of crime, delinquency, terrorism, and security (real or virtual). This major is interdisciplinary with departments in the Arts and Sciences and other units in the university that will contribute to students’ multi-faceted experiential learning. Students will also learn multi-level theories of crime causation, crime reduction, prevention and intervention strategies, criminological research, report writing, and other skills necessary to prepare them in the linguistically and culturally diverse workplace or academic route.
Psychology
The psychology major prepares students for careers in psychology and for graduate studies. Graduates from this program are equipped with the knowledge necessary to be successful practitioners and researchers. Our graduates work in a variety of settings including mental health centers, hospitals, laboratories, business, churches, and schools. The program at Lee integrates behavioral science with Christian faith. The psychology major is designed for those intending to continue their study of psychology at the graduate level (PSYCH.BA) as well as those seeking teacher licensure as preparation for school counseling (PSYCH.BAT). However, knowledge of psychology is also an asset in such fields as management, sales, personnel work, information systems, pastoral care, law, computer science, and public relations. Psychology helps individuals understand human behavior and enhances social skills, communication and problem solving skills.
Sociology
The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology will prepare students for employment in various occupations as well as equip them to enter graduate or law school. The sociology student may pursue a general course of study in sociology or focus on one of the five emphases in the discipline: (1) criminology and law, (2) graduate studies, (3) family studies, (4) human services (social work), or (5) cross-cultural studies. Sociology is a major which encourages a liberal arts perspective and broad discipline-training, with required courses in social theory, statistics and research methods. Students develop skills in writing, critical thinking and quantitative methods and are prepared to enter a culturally diverse world.
Minors
The Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences offers minors in counseling, criminology, psychology, sociology and social work. A minimum of 18 hours is required for these minors.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsBachelor of ScienceOther ProgramsCoursesAnthropologyAsianCriminal JusticeGeographyHuman ServicesPsychologySociologyPage: 1
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