Other Undergraduate Programs of Study

Department of 
English Language and Literature

Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Department of History

Department of 
Military Science

Department of Philosophy and Religion

Department of Political Science

Department of Psychology

Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work

Undergraduate Programs of Study

College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Science Website
E. Gary Shapiro, Dean 
Pamela S. Gates, Associate Dean 
106 Anspach
774-3341

Mission
Goals
The Role of Liberal Arts
Areas of Study - Departmental
Programs for Education Degrees
Interdepartmental & Pre-Professional Programs
Graduate Programs
Combined Degrees
Foreign Language Residential College
Student Organizations

Mission 
The College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences is a community of individuals who share a dedication to the life of the mind. Its fundamental purpose is to invigorate the intellectual lives of its students, faculty, and staff, and to promote an intellectual orientation in the larger communities it serves. In this spirit, the College challenges everyone to confront new and disturbing ideas with open minds and to reexamine old ideas with fresh eyes. Within the university, the mission of this College is to pursue disciplined inquiry into ideas and values that grow out of human experience, as well as the forces that shape human behavior and interaction. Since these areas of study - together with the natural sciences and the fine arts - are fundamental to the liberal arts, the College plays a crucial role in liberal arts education. The College also teaches students to apply their knowledge to the resolution of human problems in the world at large, thereby preparing them for professions in which they will contribute to the well-being of others.
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Goals 
In order to fulfill all of these purposes, the College shall 

• provide high quality academic programs that develop the understandings and skills necessary for living in a complex and changing world;
• immerse the academic community in a multicultural and international environment;
• support programs of research and creative endeavors that add to our understanding of the human situation;
• share knowledge and skills with the larger community through service;
• attract and develop a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students;
• provide quality graduate programs whose graduates make important contributions to the discipline and to society.
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The Role in Liberal Arts Education 
In order that students may become more thoughtful citizens in our diverse society and more active participants in our changing and interdependent world, the College will help them to develop

• strong writing and speaking skills;
• abilities to think clearly and critically;
• abilities to use technology in support of life-long learning;
• familiarity with their intellectual and cultural heritages;
• an understanding of social, psychological, and political environments; and
• an appreciation of other peoples and cultures. 
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Areas of Study 
Departmental 
The eight departments in the College offer a wide spectrum of degree programs at CMU. Most fields of study lead to a major or minor, many with emphases and concentrations. The departments and their primary fields of study are:

• English Language and Literature (English, Creative Writing, World Literature, English as a Second Language) 
• Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures (French, German, Spanish, and coursework in Japanese, Latin, Russian, Ojibwe) 
• History (History) 
• Military Science (Military Science) 
• Philosophy and Religion (Philosophy and Religious Studies) 
• Political Science (Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration) 
• Psychology (Psychology) 
• Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work (Anthropology, Sociology, Social and Criminal Justice, Social Work, Ethnic Studies, Youth Studies)

The staff of the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences office can also help you locate the appropriate department and advisor (Anspach 106; 989-774-3341). 
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Programs for Education Degrees 
Four departments in the College also offer majors or minors under the Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Majors with secondary certification include English, history, French, German, Spanish, and social studies. Minors with secondary certification include English, history, French, German, Spanish, and an interdisciplinary program in Bilingual Bicultural Education—Spanish. Other teacher education certifications can be earned in elementary education, elementary education with emotional or cognitive impairment endorsement, secondary education, and secondary  education with emotional or cognitive impairment endorsement. Each of these programs has specific major and minor requirements, some of which are found in the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences. 

If you are interested in any of the programs leading to teacher certification, consult both the specific department of choice in the Bulletin and the sections on degree programs and teacher certification.
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Interdepartmental and Pre-Professional Programs 
The College is home of several interdisciplinary majors and minors, including a new cutting-edge major in neuroscience that combines coursework across the disciplines of psychology, biology, chemistry and health professions. Other interdisciplinary majors are European Studies, Language Arts, Women’s Studies, Social Science and Cognitive Science. Interdisciplinary minors are available in Women’s Studies, Native American Studies, Latin American Studies, and humanities. Advisors for these programs are noted in the Bulletin program descriptions under the section on “Academic Information.” 

Courses offered under the designators HUM, LAR, and SSC are also interdisciplinary in character. See their descriptions in the Course Description section of the Bulletin. 

Professional programs such as law require certain basic preparatory work for acceptance into law school. Students should select a program of study that is strong in oral and written expression and fosters critical thinking skills and a critical understanding of the human institutions and values with which the law deals. There is no specific pre-law major, but Central Michigan University’s College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences can provide much of the needed preparation for law school admissions.
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Graduate Programs 
Six departments in the college offer graduate programs at the masters and/or doctoral level. The English Department offers three masters level programs: M.A. in English Language and Literature (also with a concentration in Creative Writing), M.A. in Composition and Communication, and M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Foreign Languages offers a unique M.A. program in Spanish designed to enhance fluency, foster interaction with Hispanic cultures, broaden knowledge, and promote professional development. Courses are offered on weekends and summers, and students experience two study abroad placements. 

History offers a traditional M.A. and a joint M.A. and Ph.D. program in transnational comparative history, administered by CMU and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Graduate programs in political science include the Masters of Public Administration and a traditional M.A. in political science. The department also offers courses contributing to a concentration in public administration in the Master of Science in Administration. 

Psychology’s graduate programs include two masters level programs, a specialist degree, and four doctoral programs. They are the Master of Science in General/Experimental Psychology, a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Specialist in Psychological Services in School Psychology, and Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology, School Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Applied Experimental Psychology. The Psychology Department has been a CMU Center for Excellence since 1992.

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work offers a traditional M.A. in Sociology and an M.A. with a concentration in Social & Criminal Justice.
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Combined Degrees 
CMU offers several combined degree options. The Combined Bachelor of Arts or Science and a Master of Business Administration provides a well-rounded education by combining an undergraduate degree program in the more traditional liberal arts with graduate study in business administration. With appropriate advising and careful planning, the total time for completing both degrees will be five years. 

Other combined degrees include the Integrated B.A./M.A. in History for highly motivated students. Students in this program accelerate their careers by undertaking graduate work toward the traditional Master of Arts degree concurrently with undergraduate work, as specified in the program of study and approved by the department and College of Graduate Studies.
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Foreign Languages Residential College 
Beginning in fall 2000, the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures sponsored a foreign languages residential college in Saxe-Herrig, which is near the foreign language classrooms in Pearce Hall. Students in the residential college share an interest in foreign languages, literatures and cultures and benefit from learning and living together in an international atmosphere. 

Distinctive opportunities include supplementary instruction, mandatory study groups and quiet hours, formal and informal out-of-class interaction with faculty, speakers on international issues, and increased opportunity for career information and advising. Students interested in living in the Foreign Languages Residential College should contact either the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures or the Office of Residence Life.
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Student Organizations 
Nearly three dozen student organizations are affiliated with programs in the College of Humanities and Social & Behavioral Sciences. Among those groups are honor societies in English, foreign languages, history, military science, and psychology. 

Other groups open to interested students include a literary journal; French, German, Japanese, and Spanish culture clubs; a variety of groups affiliated with military science; a pre-law organization that assists students in preparing for the LSAT; history, political science, social work, sociology, and psychology interest groups. Organizations schedule speakers and workshops, host annual meetings and initiations, sponsor educational travel, and engage in social activities. Dues and membership requirements vary. Contact the particular department or the Dean’s Office (Anspach 106) for a listing of organizations affiliated with the college. Additional information is also available on the college web page.
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