Xavier’s Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences (DSBS)
joins five departments into a dynamic and innovative center for the study of people as social beings- their communication, organization, development, identification, and struggles. Coming from Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Mass Communication and Communication Studies, DSBS disciplines employ distinct methods and theories to study the lived, imagined, differentiated, emotional, behavioral, historical, and segmented forms and contexts of human social behavior. Students choosing a DSBS major tend to enjoy working with some combination of people, data, and ideas, and they enjoy learning beyond the confines of books and classrooms.Tuition Assistance
Each year, the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences and its affiliated departments award tuition assistance to students majoring in one of the DSBS Disciplines: Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Mass Communication, and Communication Studies. These Academic Grants are awarded based on students’ demonstration of both academic merit and financial need.
Undergraduate Research
Engaging students as researchers is a hallmark of a Xavier DSBS education.
DSBS professors are committed to developing scholars and leaders through undergraduate research. Research gives DSBS graduates a competitive edge in applying to and succeeding in graduate school. It shows employers that students have valuable critical thinking, collaboration, and writing skills. Finally, undergraduate research distinguishes students as thinkers and leaders in their chosen field, ready to take on the social, intellectual, and technological puzzles of their generation.
In specialized classes with only ten to fifteen students, our majors learn to conduct research in their respective disciplines. Students may then use this foundation to work with a faculty mentor to develop their own research, to collaborate with other students and faculty, or to work as paid undergraduate researchers. In addition to opportunities to collaborate with faculty at Xavier, such as through the McNair and BUILD programs, students may participate in summer research programs at other universities through the MARC and RISE programs, or even internationally through the Tulane-Xavier MHIRT program.
Numerous programs and offices support undergraduate researchers at Xavier, and DSBS faculty are at the forefront of these initiatives. In the last decade, DSBS faculty has secured more than $3 million in funds to support undergraduate researchers.
For the past almost 100 years, Xavier University of Louisiana has inspired the students who pass through its doors to create a more just and humane society through the careers they choose. Frequently, Xavier students spend the summer in internships pursuing the excellence instilled in them at Xavier. This summer, Manuela Niamke, a rising junior at Xavier, manifested her excellence when she was selected for the inaugural DuBois Scholar Program at Harvard University.
Student Life, Community Engagement, Research, Partner Programs
In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific exploration and innovation, one fundamental principle stands tall: diversity drives progress. In the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), inclusion isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone upon which groundbreaking discoveries are built. Institutions like Xavier University have played a pivotal role in pushing progress forward by actively engaging and empowering Black students in STEM, fostering a community where all voices are valued and heard. Demonstrative of this drive, several Xavier students recently participated in the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). This prestigious research conference allows students who may come from marginalized communities to present their findings on a national level.
Community Engagement, Arts & Sciences, Alumni News, Educational Leadership
On October 3 and 4, Xavier University of Louisiana will join other research-driven institutions and organizations during BIO on the BAYOU, an academic bioscience and biotech showcase. Individuals from across the Gulf South region will gather to share and advance cutting-edge biological innovation, technology, and research. Registration is free and open online.
Student Life, Community EngagementDSBS Internships & Practicums
Xavier students majoring in the Social and Behavioral Sciences benefit from the dynamic, “living laboratory” New Orleans offers. While the experiences vary by major, internships or clinical experiences that place students throughout New Orleans are integral to DSBS students’ academic and professional development. These experiences are instrumental for:
- Defining post-Xavier career and graduate school plans
- Learning how to behave and to interact effectively in a professional setting
- Networking with professionals in students’ areas of interest
- Applying knowledge from an academic discipline to its “real world” implementation
- translating the skills and knowledge of a major to professional contexts to identify and secure a desirable professional position"
Contact Us
Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences
504-520-5087
mforooze@xula.edu