Behavioral Sciences - University of Valley Forge
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Behavioral Sciences

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The Department of Behavioral Sciences is UVF’s second largest academic department and serves students who have a passion to understand and serve people. No matter what degree students earn in this department, the skills they learn give them tools to succeed in their field. Their unique knowledge of human behavior, problem-solving skills, and professional ethics will furnish a framework for effectively working with diverse populations of people. A degree in the Behavioral Sciences also provides excellent preparation for the pursuit of an advanced degree in the fields of human services, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, and social work.

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Bachelor’s Degrees

The Criminal Justice program at the University of Valley Forge is designed to prepare the student for the challenges that face today’s criminal justice professionals. Our uniquely designed program not only presents students with modern criminal justice theories, practices and applications, but is also taught by professors who possess a vast amount of experience in this discipline.

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The Pastoral Counseling program at the University of Valley Forge is designed to prepare the student with foundational knowledge in church ministry counseling and other essentials designed to develop skill in ministry and related areas.

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The Psychology program at the University of Valley Forge is designed to prepare the student at a pre-professional level for entry into graduate or professional studies. It will equip the student in foundational knowledge in psychology, human behavior, human growth and development, biblical education, and personal skills necessary to develop as a competent professional.

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The Psychology – Online program at the University of Valley Forge is designed to prepare the student at a pre-professional level for entry into graduate or professional studies. It will equip the student in foundational knowledge in psychology, human behavior, human growth and development, biblical education, and personal skills necessary to develop as a competent professional.

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The Social Work program at the University of Valley Forge is designed to prepare students for a life of leadership and service in the church and world as generalist practitioners, who incorporate faith and a Christian worldview with their commitment to professional social work service. The UVF Social Work program is nationally recognized by the Council on Social Work Education and has been accredited by CSWE since 2012. View the CSWE Assessment Outcomes for the Social Work program for 2022-2023.

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Minors

Criminal Justice (18 Credits)

JUS 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 cr

JUS 135 Juvenile Delinquency and Justice 3 cr

JUS 143 Criminology 3 cr

JUS 243 Criminal Investigation 3 cr

JUS 325 Criminalistics and Forensic Science 3 cr

Choose one: 3 Credits

JUS 331 Victimology

JUS 343 Restorative Justice

Pastoral Counseling (18 Credits)

PSY 283 Lifespan Human Development 3 cr

PSY 313 Theories of Personality 3 cr

PSY 333 Pastoral Counseling 3 cr

PSY 463 Theories and Techniques of Counseling 3 cr

PSY 473 Crisis Counseling 3 cr

PSY 483 Grief, Death and Dying 3 cr

Psychology (18 Credits)

PSY 283 Life Span Human Development 3cr

PSY 343 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling 3cr

PSY 353 Community Psychology 3cr

PSY 383 Educational Psychology 3cr

Choose one: 3 Credits

PSY 303 Biological Psychology 3cr

PSY 363 Abnormal Psychology 3cr

Choose one: 3 Credits

PSY 403 Experimental Psychology 3cr

PSY 490 Human Sexuality 3cr

Social Work (18 Credits)

SOC/SWK/PSY Elective 3 cr

SWK 123 Introduction to Social Work 3 cr

SWK 143 Social Welfare History 3 cr

SWK 263 Social Welfare Policy and Services 3 cr

Choose one: 3 Credits

PSY 283 Lifespan Human Development

SWK 243 Human Behavior in Social Environments

Choose one: 3 Credits

SOC 243 Contemporary Social Issues

SWK 323 Race and Ethnicity

Associate Degrees

Human Services - Counseling

The Associate of Arts in Human Services – Counseling is designed to provide foundational knowledge to prepare students for a life of leadership and service in the church and world as human services professionals who incorporate faith and a Christian worldview with their commitment to human service.

Program Information (PDF)

Human Services - Social Services

The Associate of Arts in Human Services – Social Services is designed to provide foundational knowledge to prepare students for a life of leadership and service in the church and world as human services professionals who incorporate faith and a Christian worldview with their commitment to human service.

Program Information (PDF)

Potential Career Opportunities

  • Social work
  • Mental health counseling
  • Case managing
  • Corrections officer

  • Parole and probation agent
  • Pastoral counseling
  • Research assistant

If you have a calling to help people and to learn and grow in your critical thinking skills and knowledge of the human psyche, a degree in Behavioral Sciences might be right for you!

 

For more information, contact Department Chair
Professor Melissa Falk, M.A.
mafalk@valleyforge.edu
610.917.3952