The Behavioral and Social Science Programs at the University of Maine at Fort Kent take an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to the exploration of humanity.

Our degree programs include a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. In our four-year program we also offer a minor in Behavioral Science and a minor in Criminal Justice (coming in 2004), as well as a minor in Social Science. This particular minor is limited to Elementary Education majors only. We also offer an Associate of Arts in Human Services and an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice.

What are the Behavioral Sciences?
Our most narrowly focused discipline, Psychology, studies the human mind, thought and cognition; the development of the self through the life span; and the relation of the individual to the group. Sociology continues the discussion, with its focus on group behaviors and social institutions. Anthropology takes the widest possible focus, incorporating the entire scope of humanity through time and across the world.

What are the Social Sciences?
Social Sciences combine the Behavioral Sciences with the Humanities fields of History, Economics, and Political Science. The social science field major provides an interdisciplinary and integrated learning experience that promotes an understanding of the individual and of society, as well as an appreciation of social responsibility. This major enables students who are pursuing multiple majors to combine this major with another such as education, and to graduate within four years, simultaneously giving them greater flexibility to chose courses to meet their specific needs.

What is Social Work?
Social Work is applying the principles and research of behavioral sciences to solving actual social problems. Social workers assist clients in substance abuse recovery, in family crises, in the care and education of mentally challenged citizens, in foster care; geriatric care, and domestic abuse prevention, among other areas.

What is Criminal Justice?
Criminal Justice is a mix of sociology, the justice system, and police work. Students have the opportunity to learn how the police and courts systems function as social institutions; the process of investigations; and some aspects of law.

Our Criminal Justice A.A. prepares a student for a career in law enforcement, and can be incorporated an area of concentration in the Public Safety Administration Major.

Special features of Our Programs

• Service-Learning
  Our programs are based on applied learning. Most of the courses have a service-learning component, in which the students apply their classroom knowledge to hands-on community experience in mental health, poverty alleviation, geriatrics, child development, rural studies, community studies, cultural history, gender, or ethnicity. We also encourage all students to take our community internship course in the junior or senior year. (see entry below)
• State Certification
  Our Human Services A.A. and our 2 Bachelor of Science degrees connect with the State of Maine requirements for Mental Health and Rehabilitation Technician certification (MHRT-Community). This certification is required for professional employment in Human Services in Maine.
• Community Social Service Internship (PSY 497)
  While this is not a required course, we strongly recommend it for students interested in professional careers in social services. The community social service internship, usually taken during the final undergraduate year, is intended to enhance a student's ability to function as professionals with the social services fields. During the course of the internship, students are able to directly apply information gained in the classroom to real-life situations. Such hands-on experience enables students to ascertain their own career values, preferences and readiness, as well as strengthen and expand their skills and knowledge. The Community social service internship is also an affirmation of the University's mission to better support, serve, and enhance the community of which it is part. The interdependence of the University and the community is not only demonstrated through campus support of various social service e agencies through student assistance. It is also shown through the community's role in serving the campus, particularly the educational and professional development of the students. Time spent in the internship may vary from eight hours each week to the full-time placement of approximately 35-40 hours a week. Student placements include:
  • preschool/day care centers,
  • agencies serving the needs of children with developmental disabilities and their families,
  • school guidance programs,
  • mental health settings - working with adults with mental illness, and
  • nursing homes - assisting the needs of the elderly.

What can I do with these degrees?
A degree in Behavioral or Social Sciences can lead to employment in Human Services, Medicine, Social Work, Psychology and Counseling, Community Planning, Forensics, Law, Law Enforcement, Politics, International Relations, Education, Non-Profit Organizations, the Military, and the Clergy. Our graduates generally enter professional careers in local social services, police work, probation and parole. Some have gone into Immigration and Naturalization Services, the Border Patrol, or other government work. Others have gone on to graduate programs, particularly in Social Work, Law, and Medicine. We have a good placement record, above 90%, for our graduates.