Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Cheryl Lewis

The Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences is committed to providing students with an environment conducive to personal and professional growth and development. Focused on broadening access through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and distance education delivery modes, and on meeting students at their point of need, the department provides students with relevant training in sociology, social work, and applied psychology to meet the needs of the private and public sectors. The programmes offered by the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences play a critical role in helping students to understand the functioning of societies, how to successfully negotiate issues arising out of diversity, and to develop appropriate intervention strategies.

The Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences offers the following degree programme options:

Bachelor Degree Programmes
Associate Degree Programmes
B.Sc. Applied Psychology AA Psychology
B.Sc. Psychology AAS Social Work
BSW Social Work AAS Sociology

Bachelor of Science – Psychology/Applied Psychology

This programme is designed to offer an examination of the distinctive sociocultural make-up of this society and of the relevance of psychological issues to the local context. Particular attention is paid to current social issues and to training in areas such as conflict intervention and resolution.

Students enrolled in the B.Sc. programme in Applied Psychology also have the option of pursuing specialized courses in one of the following tracks:

  • Addiction Studies
  • School Guidance
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Graduation Requirements: B.Sc. Psychology

To be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, students must successfully complete 123 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 according to the following distribution:

Required courses in the major area of study 48 credits
Guided elective courses in major area of study 6 credits
Total courses in major area of study 54 credits
Core curriculum courses 51 credits
Support courses 12 credits
Elective courses 6 credits

Total Credits Required for Graduation 123 credits

Graduation Requirements: B.Sc. Applied Psychology

To be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology, students must successfully complete 132 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 according to the following distribution:

Required courses in major area of study 48 credits
Guided electives in major area of study 6 credits
Specialization courses 15 credits
Total courses in major area of study 69 credits

Core curriculum courses 51 credits
Support courses 12 credits
Total Credits Required for Graduation 132 credits

Career Options:

  • Guidance officers
  • School guidance officers
  • Community social service providers
  • Paraprofessionals in treatment centres or community-based organizations

Associate in Arts – Psychology

The Associate in Arts degree in Psychology offers a solid base in the area of psychology. It has been specifically designed to furnish participants with the key theoretical understandings and scientific insights into the complexity of human behaviour and mental processes, and to equip them with practical competencies in specific areas. This associate degree provides students with the foundation courses in the discipline of psychology required to transfer into a baccalaureate programme at both regional and extra-regional institutions of higher learning. It will also be an invaluable course of study for those wishing to get certification as competent paraprofessionals in all areas of human development services.

Graduation Requirements: Associate in Arts – Psychology

To be awarded the Associate in Arts degree in Psychology, students must successfully complete 60 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 according to the following distribution:

Required courses in the major area of study 21 credits
1 guided elective course in major area of study 3 credits
Total Courses in Major Area of Study 24 credits

Core curriculum courses 24 credits
Support courses 9 credits
Elective courses 3 credits
Total Credits Required for Graduation 60 credits

Career Options:

This is a transfer degree which allows graduates to pursue further study in psychology at the bachelor’s degree level.

Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor’s degree in Social Work prepares graduates to function as professional social workers in the education, social services and national security sectors. Students acquire critical social work competencies in individual and group work, youth work, direct practice, community practice and addressing family and child issues.

Graduation Requirements: Bachelor of Social Work

To successfully complete the Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, students must complete 134 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 according to the following distribution:

Required courses in the major area of study 47 credits
Five elective courses in major area of study 15 credits
Total Courses in Major Area of Study 62 credits

Core curriculum courses 51 credits
Support courses 21 credits
Total Credits Required for Graduation 134 credits

Career Option:

  • Social Worker

Associate in Applied Science – Social Work

This Associate in Applied Science degree in Social Work develops social work competencies which enables students to work immediately as paraprofessionals in the field. It also provides them with a solid foundation to pursue baccalaureate studies, if they so desire. Graduates would have gained exposure to various service areas such as individual and group work, youth work, direct practice, community practice, and family and child issues.

Graduation Requirements: Associate in Applied Science – Social Work

To successfully complete the Associate in Applied Science degree in Social Work, students must complete 67 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0 according to the following distribution:

Required courses in the major area of study 25 credits
Two elective courses in major area of study 6 credits
Total Courses in Major Area of Study 31 credits

Core curriculum courses 27 credits
Support courses 9 credits
Total Credits Required for Graduation 67 credits

Career Option:

  • Paraprofessional in social services agencies or organizations

Associate in Applied Science – Sociology

This Associate in Applied Science degree in Sociology gives broad coverage of contemporary social issues to produce critical thinkers and solutions-oriented social service providers. This degree programme prepares students for paraprofessional jobs in administrative and research functions and provides a basis for transfer to complete either a three- or four-year degree programme. Students complete courses in sociological theory, and its application to the Caribbean in particular and the wider international environment in general. They learn about the major social institutions, discuss contemporary social problems, and engage in sociological analysis to identify options to address these problems. They also gain in-depth exposure to sociological research methods and complete a research project on a topic of their choice.

Graduation Requirements: Associate in Applied Science – Sociology

To be awarded the Associate in Applied Science degree in Sociology, students must successfully complete 63 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.0, according to the following distribution:

Required courses in the major area of study 30 credits
Two elective courses in major area of study 6 credits
Total Courses in Major Area of Study 36 credits

Core curriculum courses 27 credits
Total Credits Required for Graduation 63 credits

Career Options:

While the AAS in Sociology prepare students for specific jobs requiring broad social sciences competencies, it also serves as a transfer degree which allows graduates to pursue a bachelor’s level in sociology and a related subject area.

Faculty Information:

Cheryl Lewis

Department Chair
Senior Lecturer – Psychology
M.A., M.Ed., B.A.
Research Interests: Family dynamics and educational achievements; culture and psychology.

Roslyn Humphrey

Senior Lecturer- Psychology
M.A., M. Ed
Research Interests: Adult education

Ayinka Nurse-Carrington

Lecturer – Sociology
M.Sc., B.Sc.
Research Interests: Criminology- criminal profile

Chevonne Agana

Senior Lecturer- Psychology
M.Sc., B.Sc.
Research Interests: Employee motivation

Josie Kennedy

Lecturer – Social Work
B.Sc.
Research Interests: The relationship between gender and the instances of deviance in the protective services

Rudolph Paul

Senior Lecturer – Sociology
M.A., B.Sc.
Research Interests: Criminology and prison reform

Pamela Degazon

Senior Lecturer- Social Work
M.A., B.Sc.
Research Interests: Domestic violence; dynamics involved in exiting residential care

Tricia McIntosh

Lecturer- Sociology
PGDip., B.Sc.
Research Interests: Family conflicts and mediation

Ayanna Gellineau

Lecturer- Psychology
B.Sc.
Research Interests: Deliberate self harm in adolescents; Childhood trauma and resilience in adulthood

Vanessa Nelson

Senior lecturer – Psychology
M.A., B.A.
Research Interests: Student perception of learning in the classroom and its impact on academic performance

Rachel Wolsey

Senior Lecturer – Psychology
M.Sc., B.Sc.
Research Interests: Gender identity and sexual orientation; risk factors for and intervention in delinquency

Nneka St. Rose

Lecturer- Sociology
PGDip., B.Sc.
Research Interests: Relationship between gender and media influences; Youth sexuality

Alina Williams

Senior Lecturer- Psychology
M.Sc. Clinical Psychology
Research Interests: Aggression in adolescents and self harm behaviour

Ayanna Bertrand-Charles

Senior Lecturer- Counselling Psychology
M.Sc. Counselling Psychology
Research Interests: Race and Inter-racial marriages