Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Purpose

The Departments within the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences (History, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Family Science, and Criminal Justice) offer degree programs in history, politics, secondary social studies education, psychology, pre-counseling, forensic psychology, criminal justice, sociology, and family science. These programs focus on offering high quality upper division courses and advisement designed to prepare students for a wide variety of careers related to the behavioral and social sciences as well as providing graduates with a solid foundation for postgraduate study. Moreover, building on foundations laid in core courses, the division seeks to assist and encourage students as they continue the process of understanding the nature of their personal Christian commitment and seek to integrate these insights into their academic disciplines and their vocational choices.

The division also has a major responsibility of offering high quality core courses. Departments within the division teach core courses in anthropology, history, government, psychology, sociology, and family science. These courses acquaint students with major areas of knowledge and help students develop many of the significant skills needed for academic and career success. These courses also help students as they embark on the journey of integrating their personal Christian faith with their growing base of academic knowledge and awareness of the world around them.

Dean of Theology, Art, and Humanities

Matthew Y. Emerson
Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership
Professor of Religion
Co-Interim Provost
B.S., Auburn University, 2005
M.Div., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006
M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2008
Ph.D., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2011
Joined the OBU faculty in 2015.

Chair, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Bret Roark
Chair, Division of Behaviorial and Social Sciences
Ralph and Marie Barbe Professor of Psychology
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University, 1989
Ph.D., Texas Tech University, 1996
Joined the OBU faculty in 1993.

Faculty

Jonathan Ashbach
Elizabeth Randel and Ana Scales Assistant Professor in American Constitutional Law
B.A., Humboldt State University, 2012
M.A., Biola University, 2014
M.A., Hillsdale College, 2017
Ph.D., Hillsdale College, 2020
Joined OBU faculty in 2021.

Brian D. Camp
Professor of Family Science
B.S., Oklahoma State University, 1984
M.S., Kansas State University, 1989
Ph.D., Texas Tech University, 1995
Joined the OBU faculty in 2004.

Antonio A. Chiareli
Professor of Sociology and Intercultural Studies
B.A., Macalester College, 1991
M.A., Northwestern University, 1992
Ph.D., Northwestern University, 2000
Joined the OBU faculty in 2016.

Canaan Crane
Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program
Professor of Psychology
B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University, 1997
M.S., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2000
Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, 2010
Joined the OBU faculty in 2007.

Paul Donnelly
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Director of Criminal Justice Program
B.A., Biola University, 1983
M.S., University of Texas, Tyler, 1986
Ph.D., University of Texas, Dallas, 2018
Joined the OBU faculty in 2013.

Camille T. Lafleur
Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy; Interim Director, Kemp MFT Clinic
B.A., University of Kansas, 1999
M.S., Oklahoma Baptist University, 2003
Ph.D., Kansas State University, 2009
Joined the OBU faculty in 2016.

Karen Longest
Professor of Psychology
B.A., Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 1983
M.A., Central State University, 1988
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2006
Joined the OBU faculty in 2002.

John Powell
Professor of History
B.A., Texas Tech University, 1976
M.A., Texas Tech University, 1982
Ph.D., Texas Tech University, 1986
Joined the OBU faculty in 2004.

Sherri Thompson Raney
Professor of History and Political Science
B.A., Oklahoma State University, 1978
M.A., Oklahoma State University, 1981
Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, 1993
Joined the OBU faculty in 1994.

Daniel Spillman
Associate Professor of History
B.A., Asbury University, 1999
M.A., Kent State University, 2004
Ph.D., Emory University, 2013
Joined the OBU faculty in 2017.

Career Possibilities with Majors and Minors within the Division

Adoption Agency Worker
Archaeologist
Business: sales, management
Campaign Consultant
Community Development
Consumer Researcher
Counselor
Family Life Educator
Family Therapist
Full-time Church Vocations
Government Service: elective and appointive
Historian
Human Resources Manager
Intelligence Analyst
International Relations: governmental and non-governmental organizations
Journalist
Law: attorney, judicial careers
Law Enforcement
Missions: domestic and foreign
Museum Work: curator, educator, collections manager, etc.
Nursing Home Administrator
Organizational Researcher
Park Ranger/Interpreter
Policy Analyst
Profiler
Psychologist: developmental, experimental, forensic, industrial, etc.
Public Relations
Rehabilitation Counselor
Social Services Administrator
Social Worker
Teacher: secondary through university

Many careers require graduate study. There are many other careers open to graduates with degrees in the Behavioral and Social Sciences. Consult with faculty members for more information.