Best Bachelor's Degrees in Behavioral Science

Behavioral Science degrees are offered from associate degrees through to doctoral degrees. Certificates in Behavioral Science are also offered. Most bachelor's degree programs in behavioral science are four-year degrees and typically include classes in sociology, psychology, culture and diversity, human services, and counseling. Some schools may allow for specialization, such as social work or human resources, through elective courses. There are often opportunities to complete internships to gain practical knowledge before graduation.

A degree in behavioral science prepares you for careers such as:

• Behavior data analyst
• Legal consultant
• Addiction treatment counselor
• Behavior counselor
• Behavior economics analyst

Associate Degrees in Behavioral Science

An Associate Degree in Behavioral Science degree provides basic or introductory information in behavior science. Some examples of associates degrees include:

• Associate in Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support
• Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science
• Associate of Science in Behavioral Science
• Associate in Applied Science Behavioral Health Studies
• Associate in Arts in Child Development

The Associate Degree in Behavioral Science can prepare you for entry-level assistant jobs in social work, case management, human resources, or research. The two-year degree is often used as a stepping stone to a four-year Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science degree. Some people might begin with an associate degree while determining a specialization.

Bachelor's Degrees in Behavioral Science

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science programs provide a more in-depth understanding of human behavior than an associate degree. Some programs require more general courses for the first two years of a program. Once these classes are complete, students choose classes specific to a career. Some colleges may encourage or provide opportunities to participate in research studies, usually in the third or fourth year of study.

Students in a behavioral science bachelor's program learn about the cause and intention of human behavior, types of interactions with other people, how actions and language work together, and how environments affect behavior. For business and human resources applications, students learn about the motivation for decisions, how people make decisions, and how management styles and company policy affect behavior. Students in marketing concentrations learn about decision making and how to influence them through marketing and advertising messages.

Some common behavioral science bachelor's degree titles include:

• Bachelor of Behavioral Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science
• Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Counseling
• Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science

Master's Degrees in Behavioral Science

Master's degrees in behavioral science are much more specialized than bachelor's degrees. These degrees usually focus on sociology and psychology. Sometimes there is also a focus on decision making and human interactions.

Some degree titles for a master's in behavioral science include:

• Master of Art in Psychology
• Master's in Public Health Administration
• Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Master of Science Ed.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

Students must complete a bachelor's degree, often in social sciences or psychology, before applying to a master's degree program.

Doctoral Degrees in Behavioral Science

Doctoral degrees in behavioral science are highly specialized programs and can be in either the health or business areas, depending on individual interest. For example, there are Ph.D. programs in behavioral psychology and in applied behavioral analysis.

To apply to a Ph.D. program, applicants typically need to submit a resume, recommendations, GRE scores, bachelor's degree transcripts, and a statement of purpose. The program usually takes four years of full-time study and includes a research dissertation during the final year.

However, Ph.D. programs are not as strict in covering specific coursework as undergraduate studies and can vary based on the student's interests; for example, one person might be interested in public health administration and another in social work.

A Ph.D. in Behavioral Science can prepare you for a career in public health administration and policy development, ethics in behavioral health, community health, and applied behavioral analysis.

Certificates in Behavioral Science

Certificate programs are helpful as an introduction to behavioral science or professional and executive education that provides practical information for use in your job. Some of these certificate programs have prerequisites. These programs are usually brief and cover a specific topic.

Some examples of certificate programs include:

• Behavior Science in Business Certificate
• Behavior Economics Certificate
• Certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis

Behavioral science is a broad degree that covers many different fields. Choosing a concentration allows you to focus on one area of study or dig deeper into a specific aspect of your major. People who are not planning to pursue an advanced degree sometimes choose a concentration to better understand a specific part of their major during undergraduate classes.

Common examples of concentrations for a behavioral science degree include:

• Anthropology
• Psychology
• Social Work

While each school has differences in their curriculum for a bachelor's degree in behavioral science, there are some general curriculum requirements. For example, many programs require:

• General education classes including Algebra, Geometry, English Composition, Chemistry, Biology, History, Political Science
• Behavioral science-specific courses
• Electives or classes in a concentration

Some common behavioral science courses are:

• Social Psychology
• Introduction to Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology

For full-time students, a bachelor's degree in behavioral science typically takes four years to complete, with a total of 120 credits. Some people opt to attend college part-time. If taking two classes per semester, two semesters per year, a bachelor's degree would take ten years to complete.

Many students begin thinking about college in their sophomore or junior year of high school. Because most colleges require specific high school classes, this is an excellent time to take stock of completed courses and what is needed. Typically, colleges look for students to complete basic high school courses including English, math, science, social studies or history, a foreign language and at least one year of art.

College admission staff might also look at your participation in activities and sports. Participating in these activities shows a well-rounded individual; someone interested in academics and extra-curricular activities.

College entrance exams, such as the SAT or ACT, are traditionally required before being accepted into a college. Students should contact their prospective colleges to ask what their current needs are.

Colleges and universities are accredited based on meeting standards of educations, having comprehensive curriculum offerings, and providing students with a quality education. The different types of accreditation are regional, national, and programmatic.

Regional accrediting organizations include:

• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• North Central Association (NCA)

The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database to search for a school's accreditation. Information such as the date of first accreditation, the next date review date, and what organization issued the accreditation. It is an excellent place to check before enrolling in a program.

Besides academic standards, accreditation is important because federal financial aid is only available for students attending an accredited college, university, or trade school. When applying for private student loans, some banks could have restrictions for student loans based on accreditation.

Licensure and certification vary widely based on the specific career choice within behavioral science. Some might not require any licensure; for example, if you plan to work in human resources, business, or marketing, you probably won't need any licensure or certifications, although some certification programs can help advance your career.

Other careers, such as social workers or counselors, usually require special licensure and certification, which differ based on state laws. Certain specialties need certification. For example, applied behavioral analysis is a specialized field within behavioral science, and counselors in this field might, depending on location and job title, require licensure and certification.

Careers requiring licenses or certification often need continuing education to renew the license. Organizations such as the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts provide further information for behavior analysts. The National Association of Social Workers provides information on licensure if you choose to become a social worker.

There are many different options for students graduating with a major in behavioral science. Observing behavior and analyzing how it affects a person's life, relationships, and decisions, has varied uses in the world. While many students elect to pursue counseling or social work, there are also opportunities in the business world, especially in marketing or market research. Criminologists work within communities to lessen crime rates and find ways to make neighborhoods safer.

How to Become a Social Worker

Many people with behavioral science degrees enter the social work field. Social workers help people improve people's living conditions. For example, a social worker might look for resources for facing poverty, homelessness, or a mental health crisis. Some non-profit organizations hire social workers to research regions and develop preventative strategies to combat child abuse, domestic violence, or violence within the community. Some social work can be done with a bachelor's degree however, most positions require a minimum of a master's degree and several years in a supervised clinical setting. Most states require social workers to be licensed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay is $50,470 annually. The career is expected to grow 13 percent between 2019 and 2029.

How to Become an Anthropologist

An anthropologist is a scientist who studies the character, ethics, and evolution of a group of people, considering the impact regional geography has on the group. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and business entities hire anthropologists to find out how to best serve groups of people. There could be entry-level assistant jobs for those with bachelor's degrees; however, most positions require a Ph.D. and above. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for an anthropologist is $63,670 annually for someone with a master's degree. The need for anthropologists is expected to grow by 5 percent between 2019 and 2029.

How to Become a Criminologist

Behavioral science is the study of human behavior, which is extremely important when determining the cause of criminal activity within a community. Criminologists work to analyze patterns to anticipate crime within a neighborhood or community. They use information such as income levels, race, and demographics to find ways to reduce or eliminate crime. While they don't need a license, most criminologists have a master's degree or above. Some people with bachelor's degrees work as assistants. The average base salary for a criminologist is $44,988 per year, according to Payscale.com. The job outlook is positive.

How to Become a Market Research Analyst

Consumers and businesses purchase goods and services for many different reasons. Market researchers look for those reasons to help a company better market their products and services. Market research analysts might look at regional or time-related trends to anticipate consumer needs and improve a company's sales. Licenses and certifications are not needed; however, there are certificate programs to increase knowledge and understanding. People with bachelor's degrees can get entry-level positions in marketing departments while analysts and researchers typically have a master's degree or higher. A market research analyst makes around $62,790 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This type of job is expected to grow 18 percent between 2019 and 2029.

Financial aid helps you pay for college. Students might receive money from federal and state governments, scholarships, and private sources. If you enroll in an accredited school, you can apply for grants and work-study jobs from the federal government. Generally, students do not need to pay back grants unless you withdraw from school or owe a refund. Federal financial aid is based on family income; to qualify, the student and parent must complete a FAFSA worksheet (online) and provide copies of their most recent tax returns. Based on the family's income, the federal government awards grants and work-study jobs, which allow a student to work part-time on campus and receive paychecks, up to a certain amount, free from certain federal taxes

Additional aid programs are available from several different agencies:

• Aid for Military Families
• Aid for International Study
• Education awards for AmeriCorp services
• Indian Health Service
• National Institutes of Health
• National Health Service Corps
• State grants through your state

Each program has its criteria and requirements. Students should read through each one to find out if they are eligible and, if so, how to apply and understand requirements for repayment if required. In addition to these grants and aid programs, there are tax benefits for education.

Student loans are available through the government. These loans must be paid back with interest after the completion of your education. In addition to loans through the federal government, many banks offer student loan packages.

Professional organizations offer many benefits, including reduced cost of continuing educations opportunities, discounts on industry supplies, and networking opportunities. There is typically a cost associated with joining the organizations, but many people find the price well worth it. The following organizations are for people pursuing careers in behavior analysis or social work.

• Association for Behavior Analysis International - Members can submit presentation materials, access the member directory, and job posting board, take advantage of discounts on continuing education courses and professional liability insurance. There are different membership levels, such as full, affiliate, and student. In the USA, membership dues range from $84/year for a student to $476/year for a sustaining full member.
• Association of Professional Behavior Analysts - Members receive a discount on professional liability insurance, discounts on industry magazines, books, and supplies, reduced prices for continuing education courses, reduced cost to webinars, and an annual convention to meet others within the industry. The membership cost is based on your credentials and ranges from $35/year to $90/year.
• National Association of Social Workers - This is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with more than 120,000 members. Membership benefits include networking, advocating for the profession, and protecting their practice. Memberships range from $60/year to $236/year, depending on membership type.

The following are organizations for people pursuing careers in the private business sector.

• American Marketing Association - Membership includes discounts on certifications, member-only content and information, access to webinars, and discounts on business services and promotional products. Dues are $2.42/month for students and $12.42/month for professionals.
• Society for Human Resources Management - Membership includes access to member-only sample policies, legal and compliance resources, webcasts, and access to a certified H.R. professional to receive answers to your questions. Student memberships are $49/year, and professional membership is $219/year.