A student comments on class material during a political science class.

Behavioral & Social Sciences Department

Expand your worldview.

As a student in the Behavioral & Social Sciences Department, you’ll have the opportunity to study various disciplines that explore the environmental, social and historical contexts in which human behavior occurs.

You can study foreign policy, human rights, social movements, political economy, government, and international organizations in the Global Studies program or analyze spatial patterns of human activity in the Geography program. Whether your passion is psychology, sociology, history, or criminal justice, the Behavioral and Social Science Department offers a variety of programs and opportunities to expand your worldview.

Hands-On Opportunities

  • Photo of class trip to Europe from Geiman Fellows

    Global Learning

    Students engage in transformative global experiences, gaining cultural awareness and hands-on learning through international opportunities.
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Areas of Study

Criminal Justice

Available as: Major Emphasis

Cultural Resource Management

Available as: Certificate

Geographic Information Systems

Available as: Certificate, Minor

Geography & Geospatial Analysis

Available as: Minor

Global Studies

Available as: Major Emphasis

History

Available as: Major, Minor

History Secondary Education

Available as: Education Licensure, Major Emphasis

History Secondary Licensure with MA in Education

Available as: Accelerated Degree, Education Licensure

Latin American Studies

Available as: Minor

Politics & Government

Available as: Major, Minor

Politics & Government Secondary Licensure

Available as: Education Licensure, Major Emphasis

Politics & Government with Master in Environmental Management

Available as: Accelerated Degree

Politics and Government Secondary Licensure with MA in Education

Available as: Accelerated Degree, Education Licensure

Pre-Law

Available as: Major Emphasis, Minor

Principles of Health Navigation & Peer Support

Available as: Certificate

Psychology

Available as: Major, Minor

Psychology with Master in Environmental Management

Available as: Accelerated Degree

Public History

Available as: Major Emphasis

Public History with Master in Environmental Management

Available as: Accelerated Degree

Sociology

Available as: Major, Minor

Sociology with Master in Environmental Management

Available as: Accelerated Degree

Sociology with MBS in Rural Community Health

Available as: Accelerated Degree
“I’m really happy with the route that I took. Western has afforded me opportunities that I don’t think I would have had anywhere else. I don’t think I would have had the same access to different resources at a bigger school.”

Alyssa Ware

Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology
Alyssa Ware

Scholarships

Scholarships by Department

The Western Colorado University Foundation offers scholarships for this program. Explore eligibility requirements and funding opportunities.

Explore Scholarships

General Western Scholarships

Western Colorado University offers merit—and need-based scholarships, recognizing achievement, financial need, and special talents.

Explore Scholarships

Department News

  • Western Students Tackle the World’s Biggest Challenges at Model United Nations

    Western Students Tackle the World’s Biggest Challenges at Model United Nations

    War, corruption, hunger, climate change, the struggle for human rights. The next generation of leaders has their work cut out for them. Professor Maria Struble…
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  • Western Psychology Program Gives Students the Opportunity of a Lifetime

    Western Psychology Program Gives Students the Opportunity of a Lifetime

    Since the summer of 2018, Western Colorado University’s Behavioral and Social Sciences Department has offered psychology students the opportunity to study for seven weeks in…
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  • Internships Set Psychology Students Up for Success

    Internships Set Psychology Students Up for Success

    Opportunities Both On and Off Campus As part of Western Colorado University’s dynamic Psychology program, students are given opportunities both on and off campus to…
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  • Western History Through an Expert’s Eyes

    Western History Through an Expert’s Eyes

    A University’s History What better way to know the history of Western Colorado University than from an institutional legend? History Professor Duane Vandenbusche, PhD.—who has…
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  • Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

    Leadership and Experiential Learning Projects at Western

    Leadership and experiential learning projects are one of the core components of the Western Colorado University experience. With program-specific clubs, on-campus events, off-campus trips, and…
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  • Western Adjunct to Discuss Urban Living with International Panel

    Western Adjunct to Discuss Urban Living with International Panel

    As cities grow and change, urban studies researchers must answer a difficult question: How can we make urban life more sustainable? Western Colorado University’s Jim…
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  • Lunchtime Charla Features African Advocate, Alumnus

    Lunchtime Charla Features African Advocate, Alumnus

    It was his interest in basketball that brought alumnus Melvin Foote to Western Colorado University. Little did he know that the connections made on campus…
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  • Model UN Provides Global Experience for Western Students

    Model UN Provides Global Experience for Western Students

    You never know when a class at Western Colorado University and the involvement in a club can result in the launching of a career. Such…
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  • Western Alumni Uses Books, Mindfulness to Counsel Young Clients

    Western Alumni Uses Books, Mindfulness to Counsel Young Clients

    Jamie Frank-O’Connell ‘91 is the Director of Counseling at Palmetto Scholars Academy, a school for gifted students in South Carolina. Many of the students she…
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  • School of Graduate Studies announces recipients of Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence

    School of Graduate Studies announces recipients of Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence

    Western’s School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is fully committed to fostering and creating a welcoming and rigorous academic and professional environment for all. In its…
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Faculty & Staff

Matt Aronson, PhD

Professor of Sociology

Brian Bernhardt, PhD

Professor of Politics & Government

Kate Clark, PhD

Assistant Professor of Environment & Sustainability, Director of Undergraduate Environment & Sustainability program, Graduate Faculty in the Master of Environmental Management program, Center for Cold Climate Food Security Director

Kari Commerford, MA

Lecturer in Psychology

Philip L. Crossley, PhD

Chair of Behavioral and Social Sciences Department

Jessica Eckhardt, PhD

Lecturer in Rural Community Health

Lindsey C. Fast, PhD

Professor of Psychology; Chair of WCU Institutional Review Board (IRB); Graduate faculty for MBS

Alex Finkelstein, PhD

Lecturer in History

Jacqulyn Gabriel, PhD

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Greg Haase, PhD

Professor of Sociology, Department Chair of Behavioral & Social Sciences Department

Mike King, JD

Lecturer in Philosophy

Salif P. Mahamane, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychology; Graduate Faculty for MEM, Graduate Faculty and Outdoor Industry MBA

William L. Niemi, PhD

Professor of Politics & Government

Andrea “Andie” Speed, PhD

Instructor of History

Maria Boikova Struble, PhD

Professor of Politics & Government, Model UN Faculty Advisor

Behavioral & Social Sciences Department

Department Chairperson

Administrative Assistant

  • Patricia McCarthy

  • Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences Administrative Assistant

Contact Information

970.943.7011
970.943.3380
pmccarthy@western.edu

Contact Location

Western Colorado University
Kelley Hall 240
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231