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Behavioral and Social Sciences Pathway

Studying human behavior and interactions will help you understand and change society – and pursue careers that help people improve their lives.

Opportunities

Find your niche — in the classroom and beyond. We’ll help you find your passion and build skills for your career. These are just a few of the resources you’ll have access to at WVU that will prepare you life after WVU.

View Pathway Majors

Student Organizations

Start your professional network (and add leadership experience to your résumé) by joining major-related clubs.

Facilities

Develop real-world skills in our specialized laboratories, clinics and research centers.

Beatrice Ruth Burgess Center for West Virginia Families and Communities
Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
LGBTQ+ Center
Media Innovation Center
Quin Curtis Center
Research Center on Violence
Speech Clinic at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital
WVU Health Sciences
WVU Hearing Center
WVU Nursery School

Courses

Personalize your curriculum with classes related to your interests and career goals.

CDFS 211: Infant Development
CSAD 234: Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
PSYC 302: Behavior Principles
PSYC 370: Emotions and Mood
PUBH 202: Social Determinants of Health
SEP 271: Sport in American Society
SM 486: Sport Marketing
SOCA 470: Cities and Urban Life
SOWK 147: Human Diversity
WGST 448: Sexuality in American Culture

Careers

Wondering where this pathway leads? Check out some possible jobs.

View Related Majors Below ↓

Related Media

View related videos and photos by clicking on the image.

How Music Helps With Therapy

Make a Difference Before You Graduate

Déja Fleury
Social Work

"I started college at a small state school, but I wanted an experience at a larger campus with more opportunities, and that’s why I chose to transfer to WVU. WVU’s School of Social Work really drew me because of the opportunities to get involved and volunteer."

Related Majors

Explore majors related to this pathway.

Advertising and Public Relations
We place a heavy focus on media innovation as well as traditional communication foundations to prepare you for the ever-changing media landscape. Many of our graduates work in traditional agencies, but many go beyond the media industry to work in such places as NASA, Interscope Records and Audi.

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Agricultural and Extension Education
Over the next three decades, the global population is expected to grow by approximately two billion people, creating a greater demand for food production and emphasizing the critical need for worldwide agriculture education. Our program is preparing future leaders to fill that need.

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Anthropology
Watch the past come to life as you explore ruins and analyze artifacts. You’ll learn the origins of societies and understand how humans have interacted with themselves and nature for centuries, shaping how we live today.

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Art Education
We combine the benefits of a small studio program with the resources and facilities of a major research university. Our graduates are certified to teach grades pre-K through 12 and have a high job placement rate.

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Art Therapy
This major blends art-making, psychology and counseling coursework to prepare you for a unique, creative mental health profession.

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Child Development and Family Studies - Online
Our online program is ideal for those who need to earn a degree in Pre-K to maintain employment – or anyone who wants to enter the field of early education with a four-year degree.

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Coaching and Performance Science
This program will prepare you for the dynamic industry of sport or tactical settings. Students graduate with the competencies to work with a diverse population ranging from high-performing athletes in the athletic or military contexts or to recreational and weekend sport participants.

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Communication Sciences and Disorders
This pre-professional undergraduate program provides a thorough understanding of the basic processes involved in speech, hearing and language.

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Communication Studies
We prepare skillful communicators at both the theoretical and applied levels. Choose from four areas of emphasis (health, interpersonal or strategic/organization communication and social media and communication technology) — or complete the integrated communication track for a more general focus.

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Criminology
Go beyond the legal definitions of criminality. Criminology seeks to understand the nature and causes of criminality, as well as the successes and limitations of criminal justice approaches and processes.

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Early Childhood Special Education - Online
The Early Childhood Special Education major provides students with the foundation and skills to be successful early childhood educators who can create an inclusive environment where learners from all backgrounds thrive.

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Elementary Education
This program prepares students to earn teacher certification in multi-subjects, grades K-6 upon graduation, along with a bachelor's degree.

Students become outstanding elementary educators as they gain knowledge about theory and practice on campus and real-life experience in classrooms during junior and senior years in the program. This program also affords the opportunity for students to be in classrooms as yearlong residents during their senior year.

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Exercise Physiology
Looking for a pre-medical, pre-dental or other professional degree program? This major combines basic science knowledge with clinical applications. You'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and the only accredited Aquatic Therapy program in the U.S.

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Health and Well-being
Do you enjoy helping others? This hands-on, customizable major is perfect preparation for health science careers.

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International Studies
This interdisciplinary program includes courses in political science, languages, geography, history, sociology, anthropology, economics and other topics. You'll gain valuable real-life experience through study abroad, global service learning and internships.

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Mental Health and Addiction Studies
Interested in a helping profession? You may find your fit in this major, which will prepare you to enter the workforce or graduate school.

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Multidisciplinary Studies (College of Applied Human Sciences)
The flexibility and potential course offerings available through this major will help you succeed in both traditional and non-traditional employment opportunities in applied human services.

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Philosophy
Philosophy acts as a form of intellectual exercise that makes it easier to identify problems, seek out arguments against your own views and critically evaluate solutions. These skills, along with the ability to read, write, listen and communicate effectively, can prepare you for virtually any career path.

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Physical Education and Kinesiology
Learn how to design and deliver physical education programs, how to use and integrate technology into your classwork and get hands-on, real-world experience. Graduates are eligible for certification in Pre-K-Adult Physical Education and Health Education.

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Political Science
Studying political science will help you understand why courts make the decisions they do, why legislatures pass the laws they do and why countries make the choices they make in the international arena.

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Psychology
Psychology is the science of behavior. This major allows you to increase your intrapersonal and interpersonal understanding and develop problem-solving, project management and information literacy skills.

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Public Health
Founded on the principle of social justice, the concept of public health ensures that all citizens have the opportunity for good health. It is the art and science of protecting and improving population health through education, service and prevention.

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Secondary Education: English
Can you name a teacher who made a difference in your life? How about a book that changed the way you think? Being an English education major will give you the knowledge and skills needed to bring both of those gifts to other students.

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Secondary Education: Social Studies
Do you love learning history, geography or economics? How about a desire to help young people discover the origins and complexities of world cultures? In this major, you'll learn to provide high quality instruction in the five areas of the social studies: history, geography, politics, economics and culture.

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Social Work
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Social workers help people function the best they can in their environment and circumstance. They provide direct services to people in their homes or places of work and help people to help themselves.

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Sociology
Sociology opens your mind to the hidden structures of social power that affect our everyday life and the major events that are happening around the world.

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Sport Management
The sport industry is ever-growing and requires a properly trained workforce. We’ll provide you with the actual skills and experiences you need to succeed in the profession.

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Sport and Exercise Psychology
Combine your passion for sports with an evidence-based approach to psychology. You’ll learn about the theory and practice behind working with athletes, exercisers and performers from all backgrounds and domains.

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Sports and Adventure Media
With its big-time college sports programs and beautiful natural setting, the Mountain State is a mecca for sports and adventure enthusiasts, and the perfect setting for a major designed to prepare you for careers in sports journalism and adventure media communications.

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Women's and Gender Studies
Don’t let the name mislead you. Women’s and Gender Studies is not just about women, nor is it about male-bashing or gender wars. Rather, our courses cover a broad range of subjects with sensitivity to gender, race, sexual orientation and class.

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Youth and Family Sciences
Looking for a career helping adolescents and families? This major prepares you for work in community agencies. Add a minor to customize your plan of study.

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