Social & Behavioral Sciences

History and the social and behavioral sciences have always been important areas of study at Trevecca Nazarene University. Historians and social scientists believe that the perceptions of people different from us in time, space, and life-expressions are built upon our understanding of our own social and political experience. The department's goal, therefore, is to promote understanding of modern societies through the methods of the historian, the social scientist, and the behavioral scientist. Students desiring to enter the professional fields of teaching, historic preservation, museum related work, law enforcement, social work, criminal justice, personnel management, behavioral research, and all levels of government service select history, history/political science, social science (criminology), social work, psychology, or behavioral science as major fields. In addition, minors in history, political science, psychology, behavioral science, social science, social work, sociology, criminology, and family studies may be selected to back up work in any area of study.

Areas of Study

Majors

Complete List of Majors

Minors

  • Art Therapy
  • Behavioral Science
  • Criminal Justice Studies
  • Family Studies
  • History
  • History Education
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Social Science
  • Social Work
  • Sociology

Faculty Members

Highlights

Sociology Highlights

What can you do with a degree in sociology? One sociology major is England’s UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs with responsibility for overseeing emergency relief in disaster-hit areas. Another sociology major is a chart-topping singer-songwriter. Lady Amos and James Blunt are using their training in sociology to forge successful careers in very different fields.

Amos held various roles in local government and was chief executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission before becoming the first black leader of the House of Lords and moving on to her position at the UN. Meanwhile, Blunt says his degree has proved useful to his music: "There are some aspects that are relevant to the songs I'm writing—about the way humans interact, the way we are as social beings—those topics are kind of relevant." The fact that around three quarters of sociology graduates are female may have been a helpful source of inspiration as well.

Criminal Justice Studies Highlights


Chase Birdwell, a May 2011 graduate of Trevecca with a degree in criminal justice studies, began the Master’s of Organizational Leadership Program in the fall of 2011. While working as a graduate assistant in Trevecca’s athletics department, Birdwell will earn his master’s degree before pursuing a career in criminal justice.

Kimberly Burton, a rising senior with a major in criminal justice studies, is planning for a career as an intelligence officer. She gave birth to a son, Kai, on July 2, 2011, and continued her online coursework during the summer; she returned to full time student status in fall 2011.  

Criminal Justice Program, Non-traditional Track Highlights


Upon receiving her degree in criminal justice in May 2011, Roberta Chambers was promoted to senior general liability specialist for Cracker Barrel, Inc. 

Two other recent graduates of the Criminal Justice Program received promotions: Lisa Cowell, from the State of Tennessee, and Lee Dupie, from Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

Social Work Highlights

The Social Work Program at Trevecca continues to move forward in its pursuit of professional accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).  The Program was voted into candidacy in October, 2011.

Professors Ron Maurer and Jamie Casler led a group of 10 students in October, 2011, for a one week class in Trinidad. The trip included class sessions each evening where the students learned about social work and social justice issues from a cross-cultural perspective as they interacted with students from various islands in the West Indies. Students also visited places of cultural significance, experienced West Indies food, and participated in various work projects.