(STAGING) Behavioral and Social Sciences Programs

Psychology Social WorkCriminal Justice and Restorative Justice History SociologyPolitical StudiesWomen's & Gender Studies Disability Studies

Where Understanding Meets Action

Study how people think, act, organize. Discover how to be a force for justice and social transformation.

Behavioral and social sciences students learn by doing:

  • Real-world experience: conduct original research, present at conferences, and complete internships that connect classroom learning to real-world settings.
  • The forces that shape us: across all eight programmes, you’ll investigate what drives human behavior, identity, and structural inequality.
  • A calling into action: whether your path leads to psychology, community development, law, or historic preservation, you’ll graduate equipped to respond to institutional harm with healing, accountability, and sustainable change.
  • 12 mo.
    Social Work grads can earn Goshen's CSWE-accredited MSW in as few as 12 months.
  • 400+
    Hours of hands-on field experience and clinical research.
  • 56%
    Of students of color or from outside the U.S., enriching every discussion with diverse perspectives.

    Learning That Leaves the Classroom

    Students here at Goshen step directly into professional environments where systemic human needs are met every day.

    • Clinical & Research Environments: Psychology majors complete original empirical research projects and secure internships in clinical health settings and crisis centers.

    • Immersive Social Work Practicums: Social work students gain hundreds of hours of supervised field placements, practicing directly within local schools, advocacy organizations, and government agencies.

    • Historical Analysis for Real-World Context: History majors apply deep research and critical analysis to contemporary issues, examining how past policies directly shape today’s social, political, and legal landscapes.

    • Restorative Justice in Action: Rooted in Goshen’s century-long peace tradition, you will learn to implement restorative framework methods that focus on community healing, victims’ needs, and structural accountability.

    The Head Start We Offer

    • The 4+1 Accelerated MSW Pathway: Because our undergraduate Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Goshen graduates can fast-track straight into our own Master of Social Work program earning a master’s degree in just 12 additional months.

    • Pre-Law Excellence: Our highly guided pre-law track seamlessly pairs with majors like History or Political Studies, equipping you with critical thinking, deep legal research, and advocacy skills top law schools look for.

    • The World is Waiting: The demand for compassionate change makers is critical. The United States faces a projected shortage of 195,000 social workers by 2030, so your future skills aren’t just marketable, they are desperately needed.

    • During my four years at GC, I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to explore many different aspects of psychology and take advantage of the experiences this department offers its students. This program provided me with a strong foundation of psychology while also allowing me to dive deeper into my own personal interests within the field. GC’s psychology program has prepared me well for graduate school, and has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to succeed in my future endeavors.

      Mackenzie Mast '26

      Graduate Student at Ball State

    Explore Each Program

    • Psychology

      Decode human behavior. Conduct original research, complete clinical internships, and build the foundation needed to launch directly into graduate schools or human services careers.

    • Social Work

      Be the support communities need. Train in a CSWE-accredited program that qualifies you for immediate professional state licensure.

    • Criminal Justice and Restorative Justice

      Transform the legal system. Here, you will learn to address crime, harm, and injustice focusing on healing, accountability, and systemic change.

    • History

      History here is about uncovering the stories that define cultures, movements, and everyday people, and learning to interpret them with empathy and precision.

    • Sociology

      As a sociology major at Goshen College, you’ll investigate the forces that influence human behavior, identity, and inequality.

    • Political Studies (Minor)

      Whether you’re interested in law, government, education, advocacy or nonprofit leadership, this program equips you with the critical thinking skills to lead with insight and purpose.

    • Women's and Gender Studies (Minor)

      As a Women’s and Gender Studies minor at Goshen College, you’ll explore how gender and identity shape our lives, cultures, and institutions.

    • Disability Studies (Minor)

      This interdisciplinary program equips you to understand the lived experiences of people with disabilities and examine how societies define and respond to difference.

      Turn Insight Into Impact.

      One application opens the door to every behavioral and social sciences program at Goshen.

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