Overview of Behavioral Sciences

Behavioral science is a field of study that explores how people think, feel, act, and interact within their own environment and how this influences their overall behavior. It combines principles from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences to consider the ways in which human behavior is shaped by culture, environment, and individuals, as well as their decisions, and the consequences of these decisions.

Career Opportunities Associated with Behavioral Sciences

Behavioral science professionals can find a variety of career opportunities in sub-fields such as industrial-organizational psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. Job titles related to behavioral sciences may include clinical psychologist, research psychologist, industrial-organizational consultant, school psychologist, and social worker. Professionals with a degree in behavioral sciences can specialize in particular areas, such as applied behavior analysis, developmental psychology, and organizational behavior. In addition, those who pursue a career in this field may also pursue a research or teaching career at a college or university.

Internship and Co-op Opportunities Related to Behavioral Sciences

Internships and co-op opportunities in the area of behavioral sciences can provide students with valuable hands-on experience in research, counseling, assessment, and intervention. These experiences may be obtained through a variety of public and private employers such as clinics, hospitals, universities, colleges, and research centers. In addition, many universities and colleges offer internships and co-op opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in behavioral sciences.

Specialized Tracks or Concentrations within Behavioral Sciences

In addition to general behavioral science, students may choose to specialize in a particular sub-field or concentration. Some common concentrations in the area of behavioral sciences include cognitive, clinical, experimental, developmental, and psychometrics. Such concentrations may include additional courses in research design and analysis, clinical assessment, laboratory methodology, or data interpretation, as well as courses focused on a particular sub-field. It is possible to further specialize in areas such as abnormal psychology, cultural psychology, or substance abuse.

How Behavioral Sciences Prepares Students for Graduate School or Further Education

A graduate degree in behavioral sciences can open the door to a variety of career opportunities in research, counseling, and assessment, as well as positions in academic and private settings. A graduate degree also may be required for certain positions in the field, such as clinical psychologists, research psychologists, or school psychologists. Students enrolled in a behavioral sciences program may benefit from courses covering research design, psychometerics, data collection and analysis, as well as specialized sub-field or concentration options. In addition, such courses can often lead to career and research connections with professionals in the field.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Behavioral Sciences

Artificial intelligence can have both positive and negative implications for behavior sciences. On the one hand, artificial intelligence can help to efficiently automate and streamline many manual tasks, such as data analysis, providing psychologists with more time to focus on research, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. On the other hand, artificial intelligence can be used to create models of behavior that may be difficult to replicate in a real-world setting or may lead to limited interpretations of behavior. Additionally, automation could potentially reduce the number of potential job opportunities available within the field.

The Career Outlook for Behavioral Sciences

The career outlook for professionals with a degree in behavioral sciences is promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics project that jobs in the field will increase by 5.6% from 2018 to 2028. This is due to the increasing demand for mental health services, more sophisticated technological tools, and an aging population. Although the median annual salary for positions in the field varies, workers with a degree in behavioral sciences may earn significantly more than the national median salary.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Behavioral Sciences:

Western International University, Salary: $37,391

George Fox University, Salary: $35,828

San Jose State University, Salary: $33,421

Metropolitan State University of Denver, Salary: $33,393

York College of Pennsylvania, Salary: $33,335

Wilmington University, Salary: $33,135

University of Phoenix-Texas, Salary: $32,579

University of Phoenix-Washington, Salary: $32,579

University of Phoenix-Virginia, Salary: $32,579

University of Phoenix-Florida, Salary: $32,579

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences.