Department of Behavioral Sciences
Find out about our undergraduate majors and minors, Couple and Family Therapy graduate program and more.
Academic Programs
Our rigorous programs bring real-world experience to the classroom, building the knowledge you need to succeed.
Undergraduate
Graduate
I love the way the professors are able to teach lessons in a relatable way. They make the topics easy to understand with examples and by using real-life situations.
The professors in my major not only cared about the students’ academic success, but also about us as individuals. When classes became difficult, they would remind us of all the people we are going to help and the lives we are going to change.
It’s nice to be in a more intimate, smaller setting. It makes me feel like I’m actually a student, not a number.
The faculty in the department took the time to build a rapport with students and displayed a genuine concern about the quality of education we received. I am proud to have chosen HDFS as a major.
I chose sociology because I believe that, to effect change anywhere, it is crucial to understand the societal/human aspect of issues. The root cause of many social problems begins with the people in our communities and how their behavior can impact the society at large.
Resources
Student Resources
Take advantage of resources, including scholarships and student organizations.
Our Faculty
Our faculty are accomplished in teaching, research, publication, and practice.
News and Announcements
Welcome Dr. Richard Sévère as the New CHESS Dean
Richard Sévère has been announced as the Dean of Purdue University Northwest’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS), effective July 1, 2025.
Celebrating Our Founders Day Honorees
PNW’s Department of Behavioral Sciences is proud to have two of three university-wide faculty award winners from Founders Day 2025 in our department! Congratulations to Nicky Jackson (Outstanding Faculty Engagement Award) and Omeed Ilchi (Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award).
Apply now for PNW’s Master of Social Work program
The application priority deadline for Purdue University Northwest’s Master of Social Work program is April 1, 2025.
Upcoming Events
Apr 15
State Aid DeadlinePNW students, your FAFSA must be received by the Federal Processor by April 15, 2025 to be considered for most Indiana state aid.
Apr 17
Days of Discovery 2025Celebrate research, scholarship and creative activities during the 2025 PNW Days of Discovery.
Apr 17
Winning an Internal Grant: Tips, Challenges and Success Stories – PNW Faculty PanelJoin us on Days of Discovery for a panel discussion with PNW faculty members!
Apr 17
Days of Discovery: Keynote SpeakerBrian T. Murphy, professor in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will share how his lab is using aquatic bacteria to generate natural product antibiotic drug-leads for infectious diseases
Accreditation
Our Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Our Couple and Family Therapy graduate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).