Best Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Science Programs

A behavioral science degree prepares students for a career focused on people and relationships. Incorporating content from various fields such as psychology, cultural studies, and other academic areas, students will gain knowledge and skills to help future patients/clients to have better habits and relationships with those around them.

Just a few of the skills students will gain through a behavioral science degree program include communicating effectively with patients/clients, utilizing research, and creating treatment plans. Students will combine both theoretical knowledge in the areas of counseling, therapy, and psychology with the ability to create treatment plans that will best suit their individual client's needs.

There is always the opportunity to continue on with an academic path after completing the degree program, but students also have many career options following a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences.

Online Associate Degrees in Behavioral Science

Students can begin their path to a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences with an online associate of arts degree in the same field. In an associate degree program, students will still take many typical general education courses such as math, English, and science, but then also have options of various electives in fields related to behavioral sciences such as specific psychology courses and cultural studies.

An associate degree can include around 60-65 credit hours of coursework and take students around two years to complete. Students can use the knowledge gained from an online associate degree to begin entry-level work in a career related to the field or build upon their associate degree by completing a four year bachelor program.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Behavioral Science

Bachelor of Science degree programs in Behavioral Sciences are available online for students interested in this field who need more flexibility with their schedules. This degree program will prepare students for a career in human services, psychology, counseling, etc., as well as give students a strong foundation in content knowledge in these areas if they are planning to continue their formal education with graduate programs.

Some online bachelor programs will require around 127 hours of credit work, including general education courses and specific major courses/electives in areas such as research, psychology, human development, etc. Some online programs allow students the flexibility to complete their assignments at their own pace and also partner students with coaches that work with them from the beginning of their program to the end to provide individual accountability.

Certain online programs also allow students to transfer in an associate degree (or equivalent credits) and complete the bachelor degree through an online cohort, completing classes one at a time with the same group of people online throughout the program. This allows students who are beginning the bachelor degree program with previous course experience to work more flexibly online, but also have a collaborative experience with other students in their cohort.

Some online bachelor degree programs also accept past coursework or work experience as part of students' overall credits, and even allow transfer credits to be applied to a more expedited track of the bachelor's degree. This allows students to have more of a tailored educational experience based off of their past work and educational history.

Online Master's Degrees in Behavioral Science

For students who wish to continue their formal education, there are many online master's degree programs in the behavioral sciences. One type of master's program would be Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences. This type of online program is ideal for students who are interested in behavior analysis and research.

Even though this program is fully online, there are still required observation/clinical hours that will allow online students to have hands-on experience working with students, clients, patients, other professionals, etc. Classes are available in synchronous and asynchronous models to allow flexibility for online students. The master of arts degree requires completion of about 30 credit hours with course load being a mix of content classes, research, and thesis work.

Another option for a master's degree program in this field is a Master of Applied Behavior Analysis, which focuses on students' ability to research and analyze behaviors in order to better support future patients/clients that struggle with behavioral issues. In this program, students will take classes online but also have field-work experience.

Certain online master degree programs can vary from 30 to 42 credit requirements with a span of different required field hours to better suit students' needs. This can include a more supervised program where students can work closely with faculty or a more individualized program where students can complete their fieldwork at their current place of employment. This allows for students to pursue a program track that fits their current situation, both academically and career-wise.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Behavioral Science

Students can continue their behavioral science education by obtaining doctoral degrees online in related fields. For example, there are online Ph.D. programs in psychology with a specialization in behavior analysis. This type of program focuses on behavior research and provides students with the knowledge needed to best serve and counsel others. This type of online program requires completion of core courses, elective courses and dissertation completion, as well as the ability to transfer courses in, also.

Another online doctoral option is for students to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis where the focus of the curriculum is on equipping students to best support clients and/or patients with autism and to help them improve in other developmental areas such as reasoning, social, etc. This online program focuses on teaching students the most appropriate treatments for these specific areas.

Online Certificates in Behavioral Science

There are online certificates available in behavioral sciences for those interested in gaining skills in this area without completing a full degree program. For example, students can complete a 9-course certificate program in social and behavioral sciences, in which they would choose from electives in the fields of social science, behavioral science, and related electives. This certificate program focuses on understanding human interactions and learning more about social issues that arise from certain behaviors.

There are also more specified online certificates students of behavioral sciences can attain throughout their academic careers. For example, some graduate schools of behavioral sciences offer graduate certificate programs in areas such as military resilience. This program includes 18 courses focused on military, family, community, and counseling. This certificate provides knowledge for those wishing to work with active members of the military or veterans and their families as they face various challenges in their careers.

One concentration area for students in behavioral science programs is counseling. In this concentration, students are introduced to counseling theories and attain skills necessary to work with both children or adult patients. Students gain knowledge in areas such as diversity, personality studies, and therapy techniques.

Depending on the undergraduate programs students are enrolled in when they choose this concentration area, it may require six credit hours of elective work and could potentially be a strong lead into a graduate degree program in counseling as well.

Human services is another undergraduate concentration area for students majoring in behavioral sciences. In this concentration, students will gain knowledge and skills necessary to best work in helping industries, such as community positions, family or youth workers, and others. One career that someone concentrating in human services could seek is that of behavior specialist. This concentration area could require completion of at least 12-credit hours of human services-specific courses such as case management and social issues, among others.

Depending on the school, program, and/or concentration area a student is focused on, the course curriculum will be somewhat varied. However, there are some behavioral science courses and training programs that are more general in nature to the degree. Of course, if a student is completing a four-year bachelor's degree, they can also expect the typical general education requirements in areas such as English, math, history, etc. Students will notice a focus in their course curriculum in areas such as human services, sociology, ethics, and diversity. Some of the common courses in this degree program are:

• Research and Analytics
• Diversity in Human Services/Ethnic & Minority Groups
• Social Deviance
• Human Development

With many online bachelor degree programs in behavioral science requiring around 127 credit hours, the typical time frame for completion of a bachelor degree is approximately four years. However, with the various options available for online learning and transfer credits, this time could be shortened for students with previous education.

For example, certain institutions will allow students to go through a completion degree where they transfer in a previously attained associate degree and then focus solely on the major courses within the behavioral sciences program. This would allow a student with many credits to finish out their bachelor's degree quicker than if they were beginning with general electives in a typical four-year program. Some programs also allow students to complete a prior knowledge assessment, resulting in students' work or military experience to count as credit toward their degree.

Students should research various institutions before beginning a bachelor's degree program to ensure that the school is accredited. Future employers and graduate admissions counselors will look to see if a program is accredited before accepting students into their programs and/or before offering employment or potential licensure for future jobs.

Certain online bachelor degree programs in behavioral sciences are accredited through nationally recognized accreditation organizations such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and The Higher Learning Commission.

If students enter a bachelor's program already knowing which career area they wish to enter into in the behavioral sciences field, they can research programs to ensure that professional organizations in that field acknowledge the program is accredited. This adds a level of professionalism and credibility to the student as they enter further levels of their education, as well as the workplace.

For example, for students who choose to focus their academic programs within behavioral science to the area of counseling, an additional program-specific accreditation organization for this field is the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. This organization ensures that the programs it endorses meet the standards set within the profession.

Depending on the career path students choose to take after completing their bachelor's degree, a variety of certifications and/or licensure may be required for them to work in the field. For example, if a student with a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences chooses to pursue additional graduate degrees and become a psychologist, then most states will require them to become licensed in order to practice.

They will need to have a doctorate degree in psychology, complete an internship, and have a few years of supervised practice. They will also need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology. Each state has its own requirements for specific licensing of psychologists. Students interested in becoming psychologists can look becoming a behavioral psychologist.

If a student chooses to pursue a career as a licensed behavior analyst, it is still a state-by-state determination as to required licensing and certification. However, the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) is the national board that works with credentialing for governments, insurance companies, and analysts as well. Depending on the state and the model of the BACB licensing structure in place, most analysts will become licensed through a combination of degree completion, supervised experience/faculty teaching experience, and passing the BACB exam.

As mentioned earlier, there are several career options available to students with a degree in behavioral sciences. Some careers may require additional education such as a licensed behavioral therapist or a behavioral scientist. However, if a student wishes to enter directly into the workforce after obtaining their bachelor's degree, there are many careers available to them, as well.

Students can focus their strengths in different areas of the workforce, all while still applying the knowledge they obtained from their online bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences. For example, students may choose to work on a more personal level, meeting with clients/patients one-on-one. They may wish to work with specific behavioral areas such as substance abuse, or in specific settings such as schools. Or, students may wish to work in a more collaborative setting such as in a community- or organization-focused position.

Whatever career a behavioral sciences student chooses to pursue, they will utilize the knowledge and skills obtained in their degree program to perform more successfully in their workplace.

How to Become a Social and Community Service Manager

Someone with a degree in behavioral science could become a social and community service manager. This role requires collaboration with other community members to implement programs and services that are needed by their community. Duties include analyzing data to validate the need and effectiveness of implemented programs as well as focusing on certain demographics that could be reached by the programs such as children, young adults, or veterans.

Depending on the size of the community or agency one is working in, a manager may be responsible for one specific program in a larger setting or they may be in charge of multiple initiatives in a smaller organization. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for social and community service managers as of May 2019 was $67,150, and employment was projected to increase 17% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become a Probation Officer/Correctional Treatment Specialist

A probation officer or correctional treatment specialist works with probationers and parolees by interviewing them and their families, evaluating the best plan for rehabilitation, offering assistance in areas like job training, testifying in court in regards to the probationer/parolee, and maintaining accurate case files. Correctional treatment specialists, specifically, can also help connect probationers/parolees and their families with services that will benefit their well-being such as counseling or substance abuse aid. To become a probation officer/correctional treatment specialist, one typically needs a bachelor's degree in a field such as social work, criminal justice, behavioral sciences, etc., as well as passing criminal background checks and drug and competency tests.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary from May 2019 was $54,290, and employment is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029.

When considering paying for college, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if they qualify for grants and other aid. They should also research the specific school they plan to attend or local businesses for scholarships that are available to them.

In the field of behavioral sciences, there are other program-specific scholarships available as well. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students in need who plan to pursue careers in various areas including behavioral and social science health-focused research. The scholarship amount is $20,000 and can be renewed for up to four years. Along with scholarship support, the recipient of the award will also receive paid research training at NHI and paid employment after graduation.

For students in graduate and doctoral programs who are focused on behavior analysis, the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis offers a variety of grants to students in doctoral programs focused on behavioral child development research as well as specific dissertation and master's thesis grants for research. These grants are great opportunities for students as they continue in their advanced degrees.

When considering which school to choose for an online bachelor degree in behavioral sciences, there are several factors to be considered. First, students should look at the school's online model for the degree program. If having a 100% online experience is necessary, then they should not choose a program that includes much in-person clinic or field work.

Also, students should consider the credit-transfer options at various schools if they have previous education and want to expedite their bachelor degree completion by transferring credits. Furthermore, it is important for students to consider the type of career they wish to pursue with their behavioral science degree. If they wish to continue their academic career by focusing on psychology, behavior analysis, social work, etc., then they could also consider graduate degree programs at schools they are considering for undergrad to see if the programs align with one another, making their transition to future degree programs as seamless as possible.

To move from student to professional in the career field of behavioral sciences, there are several professional organizations students could consider joining once they are working in their career. Some of the professional organizations in this field are:

• Behavioral Science & Policy Association: The Behavioral Science & Policy Association website highlights the Behavioral Science & Policy (BSP) publication, which is an international journal that is peer-reviewed and focuses on articles connecting policy changes that need to be made based on behavioral research. This association is focused on doing just that: connecting policy changes to research that is being conducted in the behavioral sciences field. Those interested in using research to strengthen policy-making and effect positive change can join the organization.
  
  
• Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI): According to their website, ABAI, has been the premier organization for those interested in various aspects of behavior analysis, including application and teaching, since 1974. Members have access to advantages such as journals in the field, events that provide information and continuing education for professionals, as well as job opportunities.
  
  
• American Psychological Association (APA): For some students who earn a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences, they may be interested in pursuing a career in psychology. If so, then the American Psychological Association is a professional organization they could consider joining. This organization is a well-known psychological association in the United States with over 121,000 members including researchers, educators, clinicians, and students. The association's mission is to focus on advancing and applying the science of psychology in order to better society.