Applied Behavioral and Social Sciences -ABSS dual degree, Psychology and Sociology

BA Psychology (American degree)

BA Sociology (American degree)

At the heart of the behavioral and social sciences is the attempt to understand human beings, both individually and in groups. Our goal is to provide students with an understanding of their own historical context, increase their knowledge of individual behavior, and facilitate their ability to comprehend our rapidly changing social worlds -- encouraging the recognition and appreciation of individual, social and cultural diversity.

Disciplines in the behavioral and social sciences use approaches that range from the scientific to the philosophical, from the experimental to the theoretical. Integral to all the disciplines, however, is the development and application of problem-solving skills, which in combination with other academic skills, enable students to think analytically and to communicate clearly and persuasively.

Students interested in human behavior and in exploring the many and varied facets of the human condition will find many exciting opportunities within the courses and programs offered by the department.

The age-old questions of why we are the way were are, and why we do what we do, have continued to fascinate humans through the ages. Psychology seeks answers for those questions, and others, through the scientific study of the relationship between emotions, thoughts, behavior and the environment.

Psychology

Bachelor's graduates in psychology may find jobs in human resources, education, public affairs, mental health facilities, and social services. A degree in psychology is also a good choice for careers in other fields because employers value psychology graduates' research, writing, and analytic skills as well as their understanding of people. Some graduates pursue a graduate degree, Master's or PhD, to prepare them for careers as researchers, psychologists and professors.

Required Courses for the American BA degree:

PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 2750 Introduction to Measurement and Statistics
PSYC 2825 Introduction to Research Methods
PSYC 3550 History, Philosophy, and Systems of Psychology
PSYC 4900 Senior Seminar

Plus at least one course from four of the following six content areas:

Biological and Evolutionary Perspectives:

PSYC 4300 Health Psychology
PSYC 4400 Human Sexuality
PSYC 4550 Drug and Chemical Dependency
PSYC 4650 Physiological Psychology

Clinical and Counseling Perspectives

PSYC 3125 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 3775 Personality Theory
PSYC 3900 Intro to Counseling

Lifespan Development Perspectives

PSYC 2200 Child Psychology
PSYC 2250 Adolescent Psychology
PSYC 2300 Human Development
PSYC 2950 Psychology of Adulthood and Aging

Learning and Cognitive Perspectives

PSYC 3325 Psychology of Learning Processes
PSYC 3350 Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3375 Behavioral Management
PSYC 3725 Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making

Social and Cross-Cultural Perspectives:

PSYC 3575 Organizational Behavior
PSYC 3600 Social Psychology
PSYC 4350 Cross-Cultural and International Psychology

Advanced Research Methods:

PSYC 3800 Experimental Psychology
PSYC 4700 Psychological Tests and Measurements
PSYC 4750 Advanced Statistics
PSYC 4825 Advanced Research Methods

Plus 5 electives in Psychology, 9 general education courses, and 20 elective courses.

Sociology

Courses in anthropology and sociology (ANSO) are designed to help students develop a multicultural understanding of the human experience and the analytical skills necessary for critically evaluating the diversity of human belief systems.

Required Courses for the American BA degree:

ANSO 1010 Introduction to Sociology
ANSO 1020 Social Issues
ANSO 2750 Introduction to Measurement and Statistics
ANSO 2825 Introduction to Research Methods
ANSO 3550 Theories of Social Science
ANSO 4900 Senior Seminar

Plus two courses from the following:

ANSO 3250 Applied Social Science
ANSO 3960 Ethnic and Minority Relations
ANSO 4200 Class, Status, and Power
ANSO 4275 Gender and Sex Roles

Plus 6 electives in Anthropology or Sociology, 9 general education courses, and 20 elective courses.

Additional Requirements for the Dual degree (NL and US diploma) in Applied Behavioral and Social Sciences:

This program provides an opportunity for students to concurrently obtain a Dutch University of Applied Sciences degree and an American bachelor degree from Webster University. The program follows the Webster University undergraduate requirements for the psychology or sociology curricula with special additional requirements added for Dutch Accreditation purposes.
The Dutch accredited Applied Behavioral and Social Sciences (ABSS) degree program is only offered at the Leiden campus and leads to the Dutch HBO Bachelor in Applied Behavioral and Social Sciences, with a study specialization (“afstudeerrichting”) in either psychology or sociology.
Enrollment in the Dutch ABSS program is only possible in conjunction with Webster University’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or Bachelor of Arts in Sociology programs.
The Dutch (NVAO) accredited ABSS program further requires a portfolio and internship.

ABSS Specialization Psychology:
Students need to take, in addition to Webster University’s General Education and Psychology requirements:

MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communication
COAP 1020 Introduction to Computer Applications
ANSO 1010 Introduction to Sociology
ANSO 1070 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
ANSO 2000 Issues in Contemporary Society
MATH 1580 Formal Logic
MNGT 2100 Management Theory and Practice
MNGT 3100 Project Management
PSYC 3000 Stress Management
PSYC 4350, PSYC 4750, and PSYC 4845 are also required courses in the ABSS Psychology.

Required General Education Courses:

FRHS 1200 Freshman Seminar
PHIL 1010 Critical Thinking
SPCM 1040 Public Speaking
WRIT 2000 Advanced Composition

ABSS, Specialization Sociology:
Students need to take, in addition to Webster University’s General Education and Sociology requirements:

MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communication
COAP 1020 Introduction to Computer Applications
MATH 1580 Formal Logic
MNGT 2100 Management Theory and Practice
MNGT 3100 Project Management
PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 3000 Stress Management
PSYC 4750 Advanced Statistics
ANSO 1070, ANSO 2000, ANSO 3960, ANSO 4825, and either ANSO 4200 or ANSO 4275 are also required courses in the ABSS Sociology.

Required General Education Courses:

GNST 1200 Freshman Seminar
PHIL 1010 Critical Thinking
SPCM 1040 Public Speaking
WRIT 2000 Advanced Composition