The Department of Sociology, Political Science, Native American Studies and Environmental Studies combines three scholarly disciplines, each with its separate faculty and academic programs. Four year programs in Sociology lead to either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The department offers minors in Political Science, Native American Studies and Sociology.

Sociology

Sociology is the study of social life and the social causes of human behavior. The sociologist's interests range from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from work to sports. Few fields have such a broad scope.

Political Science

Political Science is the study of politics, government, and public affairs. It provides the student with knowledge and understanding of the theory, organization, functions, and processes of domestic and international systems and institutions of politics and government, including the role of individual and group relations.

Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies is among the most innovative programs at MSU Billings. It is a completely interdisciplinary program, which requires students to take courses in a range of subjects, including ecology, environmental ethics, environmental history, geography, and other environmentally related fields.

The program is dedicated to community collaboration and experiential learning opportunities for our students.  Students learn to investigate questions concerning environmental issues from three approaches:

1. scientific perspectives, as understood through the biological and physical sciences;

2. human perspectives, as understood through social sciences and humanities studies;

3. policy perspectives, as understood through courses designed around topics such as “Environmental Impact Analyses,” “Living with Predators,” and “Decision and Policy Analysis in Natural Resources”.

As a required part of their curriculum, students must complete a hands-on internship in an area that relates to their field of interesst. During their internships, students may work in local, state, or federal agency intern programs or in private firms in the field or in environmental labs.

Graduates are prepared to enter the work force in the growing field of environmental occupations in the government and private sectors, or to continue their studies at the graduate level.