Bachelor of Arts (BA): Behavioral Science Degree Overview

Research Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science programs. Get information

about reuirements! courses an" career prospects to ma#e an informe"
"ecision about $our e"ucation.
%iew &' (opular Schools
Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science
Stu"ents in a bachelor)s "egree program in behavioral science learn to
anal$*e human behavior b$ using the metho"ologies an" principles of
ps$cholog$! sociolog$ an" anthropolog$. +he$ use critical thin#ing s#ills to
e,amine the interaction of humans an" "etermine how culture an" societ$
in-uence people)s behavior. Stu"ents also learn how to appl$ behavioral
science theories to real life settings. +hese Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs
ta#e four $ears to complete! but some schools o.er accelerate" programs
that allow stu"ents to /nish in less time.
0"ucational (rereuisites
Stu"ents must have a high school "iploma or a G0D certi/cate to enter a 12
$ear program in behavioral sciences. Some colleges with accelerate"
programs reuire that stu"ents hol" an associate)s "egree or have complete"
some college. +hese accelerate" programs are often available through
colleges) a"ult learning "epartments an" ma$ onl$ be available to stu"ents
who are over a speci/c age.
3ourse +opics
Stu"ents in a behavioral science bachelor)s program learn the metho"olog$
that is nee"e" to observe behavior an" gather information as well as the
science reuire" to anal$*e their /n"ings. Some programs allow stu"ents to
focus their stu"ies on one speciali*ation of behavioral science! li#e sociolog$
or ps$cholog$. A""itionall$! programs ma$ o.er stu"ents the option to gain
practical e,perience through internships. 3ourse o.erings ma$ inclu"e:
Statistics in behavioral science
Research metho"s
3ounseling theories
(ersonalit$ theor$
4ifespan "evelopment
Social ps$cholog$
Diversit$
0mplo$ment Outloo# an" Salar$ 5nformation
5n"ivi"uals with bachelor)s "egrees in behavioral science can wor# in law
enforcement! social services! teaching! counseling an" human resources.
+he$ ma$ be emplo$e" b$ government agencies! private businesses or not2
for2pro/ts. 6ere are some career choices that are attainable with a bachelor)s
"egree:
Social wor#er
Behavioral science teacher
Grant writer
3riminal pro/ler
6uman resources specialist
Base" on reports from the 7.S. Bureau of 4abor Statistics (B4S)! emplo$ment
of social wor#ers is pro8ecte" to increase b$ &9: from ;<&; to ;<;;
(www.bls.gov). A /ve percent increase is pro8ecte" for police an" "etectives!
inclu"ing criminal investigators such as pro/lers. 6uman resources specialists
shoul" see growth of eight percent. 5n ;<&;! the B4S reporte" that chil"!
famil$ an" school social wor#ers earne" an average annual salar$ of =1>!'<<.
Detectives an" criminal investigators receive" =??!@A<! while human
resources specialists earne" =A<!AA<.
3ontinuing 0"ucation
Ban$ stu"ents with bachelor)s "egrees in behavioral science go on to obtain
professional "egrees in law! me"icine or e"ucation. Others! who want to wor#
with healthcare organi*ations! public health "epartments! substance abuse
treatment centers or not2for2pro/t organi*ations ma$ pursue master)s
"egrees in behavioral science. Baster)s programs in behavioral science
consist of a"vance" theor$ an" research instruction in the classroom as well
as practical e,perience in the /el". Cote that entr$ to some professions
relate" to behavioral science reuire licensure. +eachers! social wor#ers an"
law$ers! for e,ample! must be license" or certi/e" to practice in their
professions.