School Overviews
Four of the top schools in the U.S. have undergraduate and graduate degree programs in behavioral science. Along with high rankings, these schools each offer unique training and research opportunities in the field. Graduate students who are interested in behavioral science can find degree programs at highly ranked schools, such as Johns Hopkins University, the University of California in Irvine, Yale University, and Carnegie Mellon University. Each of these schools was ranked highly on U.S. News & World Report's list of the best national universities for 2017. Successful completion of a program can lead to a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Arts, a Master or Doctor of Public Health, or a Doctor of Philosophy.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University ranked #10 on U.S. News & World Report's list of national universities for 2017. The university offers 50 major areas of study through nine schools, including the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Students can earn a Doctor of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social and Behavioral Sciences with research in Health Education & Communication and Social & Psychological Influences on Health.
The training and research in the university's Department of Health, Behavior, and Society is meant to push forward scientific comprehension of behavior and its application in a healthy society.
University of California in Irvine
U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of California in Irvine #39 among national universities for 2017 and #9 among public schools. The university offers a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Mathematical Behavioral Sciences. The Institute for Mathematical Behavioral Sciences in the School of Sciences offers students the chance to immerse themselves in particular research subjects and use mathematical models in order to test behavioral theories.
Yale University
Yale University is an Ivy League school that ranked third on the U.S. News & World Report list of national universities for 2017. Graduate programs include a Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Ph.D. candidates pursuing a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences can study psychosocial and behavioral epidemiology.
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University tied as the 24th best school in the nation for 2017 in U.S. News and World Report's listing of colleges. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields relevant to behavioral science. Undergraduate offerings include a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Economics, Policy, and Organization program, as well as a decision science program and a policy and management program. The school offers a Ph.D. in Social and Decision Sciences program, with concentrations in behavioral decision research, social and decision sciences, strategy, entrepreneurship, and technological change. Carnegie Mellon runs a unique Behavior Brain Research Training Program.
Top Behavioral Science Schools
There are more top behavioral science schools in the country.
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Investigators use clinical, basic, and epidemiological research to look into psychiatric disorders | Durham, NC |
| Emory University | Offers a Master of Public Health and Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education | Atlanta, GA |
| Harvard University | Undergraduates can pursue a mind/brain/behavior track | Cambridge, MA |
| University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign | Composed of 16 colleges with more than 150 undergraduate and 100 graduate programs | Champaign, IL |
| University of Kansas | Offers a joint Ph.D. in Applied Behavioral Psychology and Master of Public Health program | Lawrence, KS |
| University of Washington | Made up of 16 colleges and schools that offer 1,800 undergrad courses per quarter | Seattle, WA |
Many of the best schools in the United States offer behavioral science degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree levels, often with varied specializations. Among the schools that offer behavioral science programs, four stand out as being particularly impressive: Johns Hopkins University, the University of California - Irvine, Yale University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
