NYIT: Department of Behavioral Sciences

The behavioral sciences department offers preprofessional program options in psychology, sociology/social work, and criminal justice, which are designed to prepare students for advanced professional study. The Criminal Justice option offers concentrations in police science and in the fields of correction, probation, and private security.

Those students who choose the psychology option will receive a BS degree in psychology. Those who choose the criminal justice option will receive a BS degree in criminal justice, and those that choose the sociology/social work option will receive a BS degree in behavioral science.

The behavioral sciences program, in general, prepares students for a wide variety of careers in clinical, social, educational, industrial, and law enforcement environments. Graduates become eligible for numerous positions such as human relations specialist, addiction counselor, caseworker, psychological technician, employment counselor and manager, police officer, and investigator. Similarly, graduates are prepared by means of these concentrations for post-graduate study and advanced training in the fields of psychology, sociology, social work, counseling, special education, criminal justice and law.

Qualified seniors may complete their baccalaureate requirements and concurrently pursue a Master of Professional Studies in human relations, a graduate program directed toward developing a working understanding of the dynamics underlying human behavior and the helping skills needed to function as a professional in a variety of settings.

Law enforcement scholarship programs make it possible for law enforcement and related criminal justice personnel to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or to take noncredit courses for personal and job enrichment. Four eight-week cycles and summer sessions are offered.

Behavioral sciences promotes the various research fields of its faculty, such as biofeedback, drug abuse, group interactions, self-help, social ecology, psychological-physiological interrelationships, relationships between personality and academic achievement, and program evaluation.