Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Whether you decide to become a teacher, social worker, lawyer or other career, a degree from the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences at OBU sets you up for a rewarding future in a field in which you can make a real, tangible difference in the lives of others. Multiple programs are offered within the Behavioral and Social Sciences Division that you can explore to find the best fit for you and provide the foundation you need.

Featured Program

Criminal Justice

Your options run the spectrum in this program. Maybe you are interested in enforcing laws and prosecuting criminals, or you are committed to rehabilitating offenders, introducing them to Christ and showing them how He can help them find their path. Either way, the OBU criminal justice program is YOUR program.

Criminal Justice Information

Preparing Students for What’s Next

What’s next for our students spans an amazing spectrum of opportunities as a profiler, nonprofit organization administrator, counselor, minister, marriage and family therapist, consumer researcher, campaign consultant, park ranger, victim advocate, adoption agency worker, and many others. The common threads for OBU’s criminal justice program include people and a way to integrate your personal Christian faith.

Career Outcomes

Mackenzie Knox

Class of 2023

“When I look back at the freshman girl I was when I first came to OBU compared to myself as a woman now, I am encouraged at how OBU has provided the environment and opportunities for me to grow in God’s word and in His character. I truly have fallen in love with the Lord and learned to let Him lead me every day.”

Read Mackenzie’s Story

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Undergraduate Programs

Criminal Justice

A criminal justice degree from OBU allows you to pursue careers in the legal field, law enforcement, criminology and many others. Students drawn to this field often share traits such as integrity, courage and a desire to serve their communities in an effort to help ensure justice is carried out as fairly as possible.

Criminal Justice

Family Science

With an OBU degree you will be serving families by meeting practical needs, strengthening families by education and therapy, and supporting families by advocating for their needs: these qualities are at the heart of our family science program at OBU.

Family Science

History

In our program, you will be prepared for a wide variety of careers related to history as well as providing you a solid foundation for postgraduate study. These courses acquaint you with major areas of knowledge and help students develop skills needed for academic and career success.

History

Politics

We live in a highly political world. This program will open the door for you to a wide variety of careers related to politics. Through the politics program, you will be prepared for the journey of integrating your personal Christian faith with your growing base of academic knowledge and awareness of the world around you.

Politics

Psychology

In the Psychology program, you will you be challenged by and grow from courses such as biological psychology, history of psychology, theories of personality, psychological testing and abnormal psychology. You have the opportunity to pursue psychology as well as specializations in forensic psychology and pre-counseling.

Psychology

Social Sciences Education, Secondary

This degree will prepare you for a career in secondary education anywhere—home or abroad. You’ll leave Bison Hill with credentials that are unmatched. That’s because your professors will invest in you and will model the compassion and dedication needed to help you be successful in working with children and parents anywhere in the world.

Social Sciences Education, Secondary

Sociology

This degree will prepare you for a career in secondary education anywhere—home or abroad. You’ll leave Bison Hill with credentials that are unmatched. That’s because your professors will invest in you and will model the compassion and dedication needed to help you be successful in working with children and parents anywhere in the world.

Sociology

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Bret Roark

Chair, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Ralph and Marie Barby Professor of Psychology
Professor of Psychology

Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson

Co-Provost
Dean of Theology, Arts and Humanities
Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership
Professor of Religion

Behavioral and Social Sciences Faculty