Women's College

Major Programs
• Behavioral Science, B.A.
• Child and Family Studies, B.A.

   emphasizing Child and Family Services or

   emphasizing Early Care and Education

• Psychology, B.A. and B.S.

• Social Work, B.A.

Minor Programs

• Child and Family Studies

• Psychology

• Social Work

Evening College

Major Programs  
• Behavioral Science, B.A.
• Child and Family Studies, B.A.
   emphasizing Early Care and Education
• Human Services, B.A.
• Psychology, B.A.
   emphasizing General Psychology or
   emphasizing Psychology Counseling or
   emphasizing Psychology Organization/Industrial Behavior and    Leadership

 Minor Programs
• Child and Family Studies

Graduate College
   Human Behavior and Conflict Management, M.A.

Status of the Program
The college is not accepting applications for the Certificate program or the Master of Arts in Human Behavior and Conflict Management for summer 2009, fall 2009, and summer 2010. This temporary suspension is part of a college re-visioning process and does not end the graduate program.

We expect to admit students for the fall of 2010.  Please check this website for updated information in October of 2009. Click here for course descriptions and schedule.

For other inquiries about the Human Behavior and Conflict Management graduate program, please contact Program Director Mary L. Bryan at 786-3932, mbryan@columbiasc.edu, or Dr. Elaine Ferraro, 786-3635, eferraro@columbiasc.edu.

  Graduate Program in Human Behavior and Conflict Management

Since the early 1970’s, the practice of conflict resolution has grown rapidly in the United States and now includes dispute resolution systems in business and industry, public dispute resolution processes, peer mediation in schools and colleges, community settlement centers, and mediation of family conflicts. The increasing complexity, costs, and delays of litigation have overburdened courts and led to court-connected mediation and arbitration programs in South Carolina and most other states.

The graduate program in Human Behavior and Conflict Management is one of an increasing number of academic programs to focus on developing scholarship and professional practice in conflict management. The premise of the program is that conflict in most arenas presents opportunities for learning, for creativity and constructive work, and for conciliation and moving forward. Graduate program courses balance scholarship and practice skills to prepare students to be in-house and independent consultants, managers, and practitioners in their chosen fields or to pursue further academic degrees.

Our students are women and men from diverse backgrounds who work in insurance and communication industries, business, health care, social services, law and law enforcement, government, education, non-profits, and family counseling. Students and graduates use their work here to expand and enrich their primary professional work, to qualify for promotions and for new positions related to conflict management, and to develop their own businesses as conflict management consultants, trainers, and practitioners.

Behavioral Studies program offers four nationally and regionally recognized undergraduate academic majors:  Behavioral Science, Child and Family Studies, Psychology, and Social Work, and a Master’s degree and graduate certificate in Human Behavior and Conflict Management.

The program offers studies in anthropology, geography, psychology, sociology, social work, and behavioral science. Students have exciting opportunities to pursue their interests in understanding the individual person, human relationships, and social institutions.

We are unique because of our focus on leadership. The program faculty emphasize four dimensions of leadership in our courses and programs:

self-development (“you first”)
interpersonal relationships (“working together”)
professional knowledge, skills, values and ethics (“knowing your stuff”)
social responsibility (“doing the right thing”)

We believe mastering these dimensions prepares you to be a leader in your personal and professional lives. We offer opportunities to acquire and apply knowledge, values, and skills for successful and ethical leadership. Our commitment is that you graduate as an emerging leader who recognizes that effective leadership involves lifelong learning.