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What is Behavioral Science?

A behavioral science degree is focused on the area of study and practice that deals with human interaction and how such interactions can affect various forms of development. Individuals pursuing a career in this field will have an understanding of basic and complex human behavior, and how to utilize such information in order to assist others. Individuals who pursue a graduate or post graduate education will seek enter into experimental areas of the field, utilizing studies in order to further the understanding of such behaviors.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$78,690

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

52.89%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

107,980

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Behavioral Science Degree

Harvard University located in Cambridge, Massachusetts is a private Ivy League research university that was established in 1636. The prestigious university is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States. It provides a variety of programs in different areas and it consists of ten academic faculties and Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study in Arts and Sciences. Another, the prestigious institution offers a top ranked behavioral science degree program lauded by academics and students alike.  In addition to the accolades earned for the undergraduate degree, Harvard also offers a top-notch graduate degree in behavioral science.  The overarching emphasis of both academic programs is to better understand human behavior, human interaction, and how it can affect various forms of human development. 

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Brown University located in Providence, Rhode Island is a private research university that was established in 1764. The university offers a variety of programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study in different areas of study. As one of the oldest institutions in the Ivy League, it makes sense that the university secured its ranking as one of the best universities in behavioral science. In addition to highly regarded undergraduate degrees, the university offers a Doctorate in Behavioral Science and Social Health Sciences a multidisciplinary study by definition. This academic concentration allows students to further understand contemporary health and social science methods and theory in behavioral science. 

Acceptance Rate

7.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

University of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a private research university that was established in 1740. The university offers various programs in different areas of study across an array of academic disciplines. It has four organized undergraduate schools, twelve graduate and professional schools. Moreover, for the past decade the institution has become a hub for students who want to learn in a diverse environment with a high standard of academic learning and mentors. Another, the university offers a Master of Behavioral and Decision Science that provides contemporary theories and research methods that will equip the students with practical and theoretical tools to address real-life problems. 

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Columbia University located at New York City, New York is a private Ivy League research university that was established in 1754. The university is also considered to be the oldest institution in Columbia. Moreover, it offers various programs that improve the students' learning and skills, where there's no doubt since the university is always on the top of the best universities in the world. Further, in related to Behavioral Science, the university offered a Movement Science and education/Kinesiology and Neurosciences and Education for the students who want to pursue research in cognition & behavioral, problems encountered in many circumstances and the associated underlying brain studies therein. Students will acquire deep knowledge and understanding in fields of theoretical sciences, behavioral science, pedagogy along with physiology and neural bases. 

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

John Hopkins University located Baltimore, Maryland is a private research university that was established in 1876. The university was known as the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the United States of America. The university offers different areas of study in various majors leading to BS and BA, MA and MS, and Ph.D.  Including Behavioral Biology majors that offer full-time course programs. In which, the major provides background in the life science, natural sciences and mathematics, and the social and behavioral science where students can thoroughly understand the course study. Furthermore, the program prepares the students to pursue research in Neurosciences and any related medical behavioral program. 

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Washington University in St Louis is a private research university that was established in 1853. The university offers various programs in different areas of study and expertise. It provides an understanding in Human behavior, including human psychology and theoretical applications. WU provide qualified students with opportunities for in-depth study and collaboration across disciplines. It fosters excellence in the students through interdisciplinary teaching in conjunction with ample research and hands-on learning.  The combination of both methods helps students activate latent skills and engage on a deeper level in the behavioral science domain.  Washington University strives to help graduates excel after graduation with a robust career center and extremely active alumni association.   

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Carnegie Mellon University located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was founded in 1900 and soon thereafter became a private research university. The university always secure its place in top ranked universities when giving quality education and practical training to its learners. Several academic pathways at CMU have been ranked in national and international surveys for a sustained period.  The university offers dozens of interdisciplinary programs for qualifying students to choose between. Specifically, the Department Social and Decision Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs that have a combined studies in Social Science and practical skills including the major of BA in Behavioral Economics, Policy and Organizations where students are taught by world-class, hands-on research members and renowned faculty members. 

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Emory University located in Atlanta, Georgia is a private university that was established in 1860. The university offers a variety of programs in different areas of study. As the second oldest university established in higher education in Georgia, the university is expected to provide quality education in all areas of its study program. In addition, the university has organized in academic divisions to properly arrange various academic disciplines. The university’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education provides a research and training program that will investigate interaction of behavioral science, social, cultural, biological and historical processes that will contribute to the health of the greater population.  The curriculum of this program will enhance MA students' approach to relevant issues about behavioral and solve it. 

Acceptance Rate

15.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

University of Washington located in Seattle, Washington is a public research university that was founded in 1861. The university is one of the oldest institutions located on the West Coast.  It has been affiliated with several notable alumni and faculty staff including Nobel Prize laureates and Pulitzer Prize Winners.  UW offers a variety of lauded academic programs in different areas of study for undergraduate, graduate and professional study. The university curated a top rated Social and Behavioral Sciences Concentration in MPH Program in Health Services. It provides a community based participatory where students can apply their behavioral theory and methods of understanding to the study. The research and application of the knowledge builds a relationship in cultural, social, and behavioral processes and promotes health and prevents illness. 

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Clemson University located in Clemson, South California is a public land-grant research university that was established in1889. The university has seven organized colleges and it was classified as R1: Doctoral University with a very high research activity rate. The university offers a variety of programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study in different learning domains. The top rated behavioral science degree program is housed within the university’s College of Behavioral Social and Health Sciences department.  This school within Clemson offers a variety of fields of study to understand human nature in their behavior, culture, and biological aspects that affect how they behave. With the help of the highly intelligent faculty members, students are encouraged to arrive at novel questions to circumstances and support theories with well-documented analysis.   

Acceptance Rate

51.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Colorado School of Mines located in Golden, Colorado is a public research university that was established in 1874.  The university has been offering various programs for undergraduate and master’s degrees since its inception. Academics are designed to provide a robust technical education and training in different areas. The net result, graduates will be postured to have access to top recruiters in private companies, government institutions, and other agencies around the globe. The student-centered institution aims to promote strong integrity, intellectual, and responsibility to develop a better world. Providing quality education and training that is the mission of the School of Mines. 

Acceptance Rate

53.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

University of La Verne located at La Verne, California is a private university that was founded in 1891. The university has long been offering multiple programs that provide distinctive education to prepare intelligent students for the demands of tomorrow. ULV offers more than 50 majors and over 30 master’s programs in addition to four doctorate degrees and dozens of certificates and credentials. The highly regarded Sociology and Anthropology Department offers four Bachelor of Science degree program options  Behavioral Science, where students face and deal with comprehensive academic coursework, community engagement through semester-long internships and more.  The intent of each is to offer specialization skills and knowledge to make a rapid impact in their chosen field of work after graduation.   

Acceptance Rate

54.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

California State Polytechnic University located in Pomona, California is a public polytechnic university that was established in 1938. The university is one of several universities in the California State University system. For the past several decades, the university has delivered a high level of academic rigor to enrolled students and offer substantive support to their graduates.  CSPU faculty members include notable winners of prestigious awards in Academic and Sciences. The university offers a variety of programs in different areas of study for students to pursue.  The behavior science degree program is designed to provide understanding in relevant and important issues in biological basis of behaviors.  Additionally, the program seeks to better understand multicultural and gender issues that are related to theories and strategies of psychotherapy. 

Acceptance Rate

54.59

Student to Faculty Ratio

28:1

Harding University located in Searcy, Arkansas is a private liberal arts university that was established in 1924. The private university is the largest university located in Arkansas. Harding has curated a suite of degree programs including undergraduate, graduate, and professional study in different areas of study for students of varied interests and abilities. The university’s Department of Behavioral Science aims to provide a sound knowledge for students within a Christian foundation context. This method is designed to help students sharpen critical thinking, expand their educational growth, and scientific inquiry skills within a Christian nexus.  

Acceptance Rate

61.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Loyola University Chicago located in Chicago, Illinois is a private research university that was established in 1870. The university is one of the largest catholic universities in the United States of America. LUC is a university that is classified among R2: Doctoral Universities with a high research activity rate. Loyola University offers a wide variety of academic pursuits within their eleven colleges and schools.  The highly regarded major in Social & Behavioral Science help students foster creative and deep thinking about the human condition. Students will learn in-depth knowledge about the study, professional values, skills and higher education they need. 

Acceptance Rate

67.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

San Jose State University located in San Jose, California is a public university that was established in 1857. The university offers a variety of programs from mathematics to nursing and virtually everything in between. SJSU is one of the oldest universities located on the West Coast. It offers approximately 145 bachelor programs and graduate degree programs with over one hundred areas of concentration to study. One of the majors included in this large array of program is the highly acclaimed Behavioral Science degree concentration.  This degree is specifically designed to provide quality education that develops within an interdisciplinary learning modality to help students garner a deeper understanding of human behavior both psychological and sociological.

Acceptance Rate

63.57

Student to Faculty Ratio

26:1

Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit located at 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a private Catholic University that was established in 1878.  The university was one of the nation’s top Catholic universities in the United States. The university has been providing quality education and practical training in their various programs for decades. This academic rigor includes the study of Behavioral Science embedded within the school’s sociology and psychology program.  It is important to note that the Duquesne University Psychology Department was approved by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association in 2001. 

Acceptance Rate

74.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The University of California, Merced located at Merced California is a public-grant university that was established in 2005. It is the newest university of the University of California as it was founded to address chronically the low levels of educational attainment in the region. Furthermore, the university offers 3 schools with undergraduate major programs, minors and 18 graduate programs that are taught by over four-hundred full-time faculty members.  UC Merced offers qualifying students access to a robust Psychology degree program as an adjacent area of concentration to the behavioral science field of study.  To learn more about the degree programs at UC Merced, please visit the school’s primary portal. 

Acceptance Rate

71.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Rowan University located at Glassboro, Camden Stratford, New Jersey is a public research university that was established in 1923. The university has been offering various degree granting academic programs since its inception.  The academic programs include 12 colleges and schools for undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Within the aforementioned twelve colleges at Rowan University, students will find over 80 bachelor’s degree programs and in excess of sixty master's degrees. The school has been ranked highly for its behavioral sciences concentration which can be found via Psychological Sciences and Psychology.  The former is focused on the theory and practical application of modern psychology, scientific study of behavior, and cognitive processes. Both degree tracks allow students to deeply engage in rigorous coursework to better illuminate biological basis behavior study, lifespan development, and human development research.

Acceptance Rate

74.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Saint Francis University located in Loretto, Pennsylvania is a private university that was established in 1847. The university offers a variety of programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional study.  SFU is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the country and it aims to seek and attract students with passion to build and shape the world. This year we recognize the school for academic excellence in the Behavioral Science major. The program is designed to provide a behavioral science study to human and social services with an accelerated pathway related to the coursework and associate degree in psychology. 

Acceptance Rate

74.54

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

York College of Pennsylvania located at Spring Garden Township, Pennsylvania is a private college that was established in 1784. It offers various programs for undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in which it is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The York College behavioral science program helps students better understand the complex relationship between the mind, brain, and behavior. Professors delve deep into the interworking of the human brain and leading studies on what we know about the complex nature of the human mind.  The academic program will prepare the students who want to pursue medical study and have careers in a whole host of psychology and medical fields. 

Acceptance Rate

68.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Andrews University located in Berrien Springs, Michigan is a private Seventh-day Adventist university that was founded in 1874. The university continues to provide top-tier academics focused on academic rigor and thoughtful analysis.  AU is organized into eight different schools.  In addition, it offers a variety of majors and minors for students to pursue.  Currently, you can find approximately 130 undergraduate degree programs and over seventy graduate degree programs plus an array of professional study programs across all eight schools. Andrews is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association and by the Higher Learning Commission. The university’s top rated School of Social & Behavioral Science provides a study of humans, individuality, cultural setting, spiritual, and social. The goal of this program is to provide the students a versatile field of study that will utilize their knowledge to better understand how and why we behave in certain ways given an array of environmental and chemical stimuli.   

Acceptance Rate

67.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Acceptance Rate

70.81

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Trevecca Nazarene University located in Nashville, Tennessee is a private Christian liberal arts college that was founded and established in 1901. TNU offers a wide number of accredited academic programs in different areas of study to consider. It is worth noting, the university is organized into six schools offering different curricular pathways and conferring various degrees.  TNU offers qualifying students a highly regarded bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science which is designed to provide a depth-understanding about the effects of human actions and the relationship of it to its circle and wider society. The program’s core is also a foundation course for Psychology and Sociology. 

Acceptance Rate

62.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

University of Michigan - Dearborn located in Dearborn, Michigan is a public university that was established in 1959. The university offers various programs for over 100 academic majors, 43 master’s degrees and 6 Ph.D programs. The university aims to work together to shape excellent leaders who will address the complex problem and issues that the world dwells. UM strives to adeptly prepare students to acquire the knowledge and hands-on training with real-world experience. The knowledge, perspective and flexibility they possess will help to ensure their viability in the workplace. Most academic programs offer students the opportunity to access applicable internships and jobs as UM partners with local businesses to engage and deepen knowledge of related stakeholders.   

Acceptance Rate

61.96

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Behavioral Science Specialties

There are two primary specialties within behavioral science: neural and social. A neural decision specialist will look at the ways decisions are made from a scientific and pragmatic standpoint. Blending disciplines such as neuroscience with sociology takes a substantive amount of training but the applications are amazingly diverse. On the other hand, the specialty of social communication science delves into the methods and processes involved with human communication.

Communication can be non-verbal, verbal, or written and can be an important tool for any research facility or organization to understand human communication and human motivation. The fascinating world of a behavioral scientist provides the opportunity to affect positive change, intimately understand human interactions, educate others, revel in the opportunity to help others, and extend our collective understanding of human beings.

Online Behavioral Degrees

Earning a behavioral sciences degree requires a student to commit to a bachelor's degree at minimum in order to be able to seek employment. A behavioral sciences major will typically seek employment in the related counseling and social work fields. This is due to the similar education received, and the benefit of understanding human interaction on order to communicate and assist others. As mentioned above, higher levels of education allow for clinical studies and teaching positions via an array of online degree programs. These degree are similar to the list of similar domain options in the human services field.

A curriculum may include:

  • Human World Views
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Theories of Personality
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Social Change

How Do I Become a Behavioral Scientist?

In order to become a behavioral scientist, you will need to earn a degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university. These programs can be found on this resource page or by using our proprietary matching system. Once you have collected admissions and degree-specific information from a number of colleges, you will winnow the list down to a handful of viable programs and submit an application for admissions. After making a decision on the best college for you, you will go through orientation and register for classes in a behavioral science program.

Whether you registered for behavioral science degrees online or in-class, you will be exposed to general education courses such as English, psychology, and math along with core courses. Your core curricula in behavioral science will typically include classes such as: business, communication theory, applied behavioral science, psychological assessments, social psychology, lifespan development, statistics, research methods, public policy, social problems, human services home, and social services. The overarching goals of an online degree in behavioral science includes the ability for students to:

  • Analyze core concepts using theoretical knowledge and empirical data to solve problems
  • Effectively assess, evaluate, and intervene
  • Harness the power of the scientific method to evaluate interpersonal and intrapersonal interactions
  • Respect diversity and leverage empirical evidence to draw relevant conclusions
  • Address problems relating to behavior, cognition, and intent of other social beings

Behavioral Sciences Degree

During your coursework, you will be required to engage in an internship or research assistantship to link academics to real-world issues.  Students will learn to design studies, leverage data analytics, utilize research methodologies, collect information, and provide solution-oriented counsel.  After completing your online degree in behavioral science, you will be equipped to launch your career in the field.  At this juncture, certification nor licensure are required to perform the job duties of a behavioral scientist as a consultant or as part of a larger organization.

Licensure is required for customer-facing behavioral scientists working directly with clients.  The NBCC provides a certified counselor’s state board directory for those needing to determine requirements by certain states.  State requirements must be followed to sit for the board-certified examination for behavioral scientists along with requisite work experience in the field.  In most states, behavioral scientists are required to complete a defined number of continuing education credits to keep their licensure active and in good standing.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Information for Behavioral Scientists

Most behavior science majors will seek employment in the related fields of counseling and social work. As a result their primary employers will be government jobs, private organizations, hospitals, or other similar positions where the need for such a figure is in place. Individuals seeking out positions in the field of behavioral science will seek employment with organizations or institutions that conduct research and experiments in the field, many of which receive federal funding. Teaching positions are also available for those with a graduate level degree or higher, allowing for additional or full time employment, though such positions may be limited due to experience.

Behavioral and Mental Health Counselor Careers

A trained behavioral scientist who leverages psychometric methodologies to effectively work with individuals, small groups, and communities to closely examine human behavior, intentions, decisions, and outcomes. Behavioral scientists blend expertise from fields such as cultural anthropology, psychology, environmental science, and sociology to examine human behavior. A behavioral science major will have a robust set of verbal, written, and non-verbal communication skills along with an attention to detail and organization skills. Given the broad nature of the field, behavioral science can extend into a number of fields such as:

  • Human Resource Management
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Social Work
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Business Management
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Leadership
  • Customer Service
  • Public Policy
  • Healthcare
  • Criminal Justice
  • Organizational Behavior

As such, graduates with a behavioral science degree can launch a career in a number of industries from a non-profit organization helping underserved communities provide interventions to publicly traded companies specializing in marketing. Your choice of industries and jobs will depend on your training, personal proclivities, job opportunities, and timing.

Job Outlook Behavioral Science & Human Psychology

The areas of employment that are affected by or can utilize the skills learned through behavioral science, such as counseling or social work, are expected to grow over the next decade. The increase in the importance placed on such services will serve to strengthen societal bonds and assist in overall development.

Given the natural attrition of those fields, combined with the expansion of services, employment should not be difficult to find. This is also true for those seeking careers in behavioral science, which is primarily limited by education rather than job openings or opportunities. An overview jobs salaries will vary based on location, type of employment, experience and education, and given the variety of jobs available it is difficult to provide a median wage. To learn more about a specific job description social services overview jobs via local online job boards.

Online Behavioral Degrees Resources

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