Social Sciences Department

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About the Department

The Department of Social Sciences is a multi-disciplinary department focused on the study of humans and human behavior, both historically and in the modern day.

Our department offers courses in the following areas:

Our department offers courses in the following areas:

Criminal Justice
History and Global Studies
Political Science and Public Administration
Social Science Education
Sociology

Social science degrees are versatile and can be applied to many different career paths. Our graduates typically seek work in fields like public service, policy analysis, law enforcement, corrections, victim services, paralegal services, history education, and archival and museum work.

As a student in the department, you will:

Learn to locate, read, and interpret social science research,
Build skills that will help you conduct and analyze your own research projects, and
Make connections with local, state, and national organizations that can help you apply your skills and find jobs in the future.

Social Sciences Information

Degrees Offered

We offer degrees in the following areas:

Criminal Justice

BS in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement
BS in Criminal Justice – Corrections
Minor in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement
Minor in Criminal Justice – Corrections

History and Global Studies

BA in History
BA in History – Global Studies
Minor in History
Minor in History – Global Studies
Various courses in Geography

Political Science and Public Administration

BA in Political Science
BA in Political Science – Public Administration
Minor in Political Science/Public Administration

Social Science Education

BAEd in Social Science Education

Sociology

BA in Sociology
BA in Sociology – Juvenile Services
Minor in Sociology

In addition, students majoring in criminal justice or sociology may minor in the inter-disciplinary Substance Abuse Minor, shared with the Department of Psychology and the Department of Social Work.

For a detailed look at the course requirements and descriptions for these degrees, please see the current Undergraduate Catalog.

Information about scholarships available for our programs can be found elsewhere on this page under the “Scholarships” heading.

Departmental Program Highlights

Job Opportunities

Between 90 and 95% of Social Sciences graduates are employed in their field within six months post-graduation, have been accepted into a graduate program in their field, or have been admitted to law school.

Department Activities

Oklahoma State Legislature Internship: Each year, the department sends students to the Oklahoma State Legislature for a week-long internship at the end of the legislative session at the State Capitol.
Post-Graduate Internships: Over the past 14 years the department has sponsored three alumni to serve as Interns on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Two of these individuals now work full time for elected officials in D.C. or at a federal agency.
Guest Speakers: Each fall, the Social Sciences Department through its Endowed Institute for Citizenship Studies hosts the annual Constitution Day Event. Each spring, it holds the annual Presidential Lecture Series. Often times prominent national speakers are invited to present at these functions.

Department Student Organizations

Phi Alpha Theta: Honors society for students with at least 12 hours in history

Pi Gamma Mu: Honors society for students with at least 20 hours in social sciences

Pi Sigma Alpha: Honors society for students with at least 10 hours in political science

Scholarships

Department of Social Sciences Scholarships

The department has access to 14 different scholarship funds (some of which are shared with other departments). The amount we are able to fund varies each year. More information about each scholarship fund.

How to Apply: Fill out the Social Sciences Department Scholarship Application Form.
Deadline: The deadline to submit is usually February 15th. Please check the form above for the updated deadline for the current school year.
Requirements: Students must be sophomore-level or higher at the time they receive the scholarship and must be majoring (or minoring) in a Department of Social Sciences program. Typically, students are required to have at least a 2.5 minimum GPA to qualify. You do not need to apply to a specific scholarship fund. Department faculty will determine which fund is most appropriate for you.
Considerations: The department awards scholarships based on academic achievement, involvement in classes, activities in and outside of school, career goals, and financial need. Please make sure to highlight one or more of these considerations in your application and/or discuss them with your academic advisor in the department.

Other NWOSU Scholarships

Additional information about NWOSU scholarships can be found on the Scholarships page.

Incoming first-time freshman should apply for the Freshman Scholarship.
Transfer students (including those who have completed an Associate’s degree) should apply for the Transfer Scholarship.
Students who are entering their sophomore year or higher at Northwestern should apply for the Continuing Student Scholarship Application.

Students are also encouraged to complete the FAFSA form at www.studentaid.gov.

Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholar Program

About the Program

The Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholar Program gives Northwestern Oklahoma State University students the chance to step out of the classroom and into American History.

Through travel and first-hand experience at historic locations, students will gain real-world exposure to ideas and concepts alongside traditional classroom experiences.

The program honors Donovan Reichenberger, a Northwestern alumnus (1966) and former faculty member (1967-1992), and his wife Dorothy, whose gifts established the Donovan Reichenberger Chair in History in 1996.

Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 Program

The first session of the program is titled “Ancient America: Exploring America’s Pre-Columbian History.”

Learning Goal: Students will consider the rise and fall of ancient American Indian civilizations.
Class Experience: In Fall 2025, students will prepare for spring travel by exploring online resources, investigating required readings, and meeting with faculty.
Travel Experience: In Spring 2026, students will visit historical burial mound sites, such as Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center in eastern Oklahoma and Cahokia Mounds near St. Louis, Missouri.
Upon completion of both the fall and spring components, students earn the Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholar designation and receive a certificate to include on their resumes.

Applying to the Program

All full-time Northwestern undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply; no concurrent students are eligible, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

How to Apply: Fill out the online Donovan Reichenberger Legacy Scholar Application or download the form and email it to Dr. Eric Schmaltz, Social Sciences Chair, at ejschmaltz@nwosu.edu.
Deadline: The deadline to apply for the 2025-26 program is Oct. 31, 2025.
Eligibility: Students must be full-time NWOSU undergraduate or graduate students and must be at least 18 years old. Concurrent high school students are not eligible.

Learn More About the Social Sciences Department

Information Request Form

Northwestern Institute for Citizenship Studies (NWICS)

BJCC Program

Social Sciences Faculty

Contact:

Dr. Eric Schmaltz, Chair
Professor of History

Jesse Dunn 311 B
Northwestern-Alva
(580) 327-8526
ejschmaltz@nwosu.edu