Behavioral Science Degree

Behavioral Science may bring to mind the idea of criminal profiling that has been popularized by various Hollywood movies such as Silence of the Lambs. You see how agents and detectives try to solve crimes by analyzing human behavior; how people think, and why they act in a certain manner. This is pretty much what behavioral science entails; investigation of human behavior and relationship with society. However it’s a very broad field, with other dimensions to it as well.

If you’re considering taking up behavioral science as a college major, there are several questions you’ll need to ask yourself.
 

Is it the right choice for you?

Behavioral Science will turn out to be an appropriate option for you if:

• You have a desire to serve people around you
• You want to explore what role human actions and relationships play in the society that we live in

What will you Study?

It’s an interdisciplinary degree, drawing from the fundamental concepts and theories of sociology, psychology, and counseling. Students are equipped with the critical analytical skills required for developing an understanding of people, as well as service providing agencies.

The courses that are offered will generally vary depending on the level and university that you are enrolled in.

The following list of courses, even though intended to serve as a general guide will give you an idea of what you’ll study.
 

• Introduction to Human Services
• Multicultural Perspectives in Human Services
• Leadership and Management In Human Services
• Applied Human Growth and Development
• Social Deviance and Psychopathological Perspectives
• Managing People And Organizations

Besides the core courses, you may be allowed to tailor your program as you like by taking up some elective modules. This will enable you to focus specifically on your interest areas.
 

What levels of behavioral science programs are offered?

The program may be offered at different levels including:

• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Doctorate

People who earned their undergraduate degrees in a field other than behavioral science may pursue continuing education certificates. The program that you opt for will essentially depend on your prior education, relevant experience and future career aspirations.

The duration of the degree will change according to the program that you take up. An associate’s and master’s degree may be completed in one to two years whereas a bachelors program spreads over three to four years. Since a PhD is the most advanced degree, it usually takes around four to five years to complete.  Students may be able to complete the program earlier depending upon the route they decide to take. An accelerated coursework option helps in completing the program in a shorter time period while a self paced degree usually takes longer to finish.
 

What kind of behavioral science programs are offered? 

Although some programs are titled as ‘behavioral science’, you may find some alternate or combination degrees such as:

• Behavioral Science And Community Health
• Applied Behavioral Science
• Social And Behavioral Science
• Psychological And Behavioral Science

It’s a very broad field and some of the relevant degrees may not be named as behavioral science. You’ll typically be able to choose from one of the following two disciplines that fall under behavioral science:

Neural Decision Sciences:

It involves a study of the interaction between anatomy and decision-making.  Some of the relevant areas of study include:
 

• Psychobiology
• Cognitive Theory
• Social Psychology
• Social Neuroscience

Social Communication Sciences:

It deals with the impact language and communication has on people, relationships, social integration, and the society in general.  Areas of study that fall under this category include:

• Organizational Behavior
• Anthropology
• Social Networks
• Memethics

What can you do with a degree in behavioral science?

A conventional career in behavioral science includes social work and counseling. However, over the last few years, students have found opportunities in the corporate sector too.

As students are provided with a well rounded and interdisciplinary education, they may seek different opportunities that involve the application of critical thinking skills.

Some potential fields include:

• Social Work
• Consumer Science
• Counseling
• Human Services
• Religious Studies
• Youth Services
• Human Resources
• Customer Service
• Law Enforcement
• Urban Planning

Some positions that may require a behavioral science degree include:

Social Workers:

They assist people in dealing with their problems. These can range from personal to employment related.
Median Salary (2012): $44,200/year
Growth rate: 19% (Faster than average)
 

Social and Human Service Assistants:

They work in collaboration with social workers and help people cope with difficult circumstances in life
Median Salary (2012):  $28,850
Growth rate (2012-2022): 22% (Much faster than average)
 

Survey researcher

They help in developing surveys and analyzing data. Survey researchers are expected to use their knowledge in behavioral science to effectively understand people’s preferences, priorities, beliefs, and ideas
Median Salary (2012):  $45,050/year
Growth rate (2012-2022): 18% (Faster than average)
 

Mental Health Counselor and Marriage Family Therapists:

They help people better understand and deal with their psychological problems, as well as family and marital issues.
Median Salary (2012): $41,500/ year
Growth Rate (2012-2022): 29% (Much faster than average)
 

Policy Analyst

They are responsible for interpreting and evaluating information in order to design and analyze the impact of policies.
Median Salary (2012): $102,000
Growth Rate (2012-2022): 21% (Much Faster than average)

Anthropologist and Archeologist

They study about the behavior, development and origins of human beings. They look into the characteristics of different cultures, languages, values and norms, social patterns, as well as archeological remains.

Median Salary (2012): $57,420/year
Growth Rate (2012-2022): 19% (Faster than average)

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Degree in Behavioral Sciences?

Behavioral Sciences degrees are offered as undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs at various universities in the U.S. For example, Bellevue University, Florida Tech University, Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University and many others offer such programs. Some universities offer these degrees as Bachelor, Master, Doctor of Science while others offer it as Bachelor, Master, Doctor of Arts.

What Are the Requirements to Complete a Degree in Behavioral Sciences?

The requirements for graduation vary for each degree and institution. However, a few subject areas in the curriculum are common such as theories of psychology, sociology, and counseling. The bachelor’s degree often requires students to complete a specific number of credit hours that might be the same for some universities. On the other hand, the credit hour requirement for a master’s and a doctoral degree is different for almost every university.

How Much Can I Make after Completing a Degree in Behavioral Sciences?

The career outlook varies depending on the level of completed degree. Completion of a bachelor’s degree can get you an entry-level Social Worker or a Social and Human Service Assistants position. On the other hand, after completing a master’s or a doctoral degree, graduates may work as a psychologist or begin teaching at a college or a university. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018) reported annual median salary of the following professions as: