What are the Core Courses of a Behavioral Science Degree?
The core courses of a behavioral science degree will vary from school to school, and depend on a degree level that the student pursues. Read on for the core courses of a typical behavioral science bachelor's degree program.
Behavioral Science Overview
Behavioral science degrees prepare students for careers in human services. With a degree in behavioral science, a graduate can find work in various settings, such as community mental health centers, counseling agencies, social service agencies or government institutions. A degree in behavioral science also prepares graduates to work in the fields of forensics and criminology.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutABehavioralScienceDegree">Important Facts About a Behavioral Science Degree</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Behavioral Interventionist, Mental Health Case Manager, Special Education Teacher</td></tr>
<tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> Post-graduate certificate, master's and doctoral degrees</td></tr>
<tr><td> Learning Environment </td><td> Traditional classroom and online options available</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Empathetic listener and persuasive speaker, adaptability to different cultural and business environments, results-oriented problem solver, basic computer competency, excellent oral and written communication</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $48,520 (<i>for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 22% growth (<i>for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counsellors</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---CoreCoursesOfABehavioralScienceDegree">Core Courses of a Behavioral Science Degree</h3><p>An example of the core courses required in a behavioral science program are those offered by Wilmington University. Wilmington University, with campuses in Delaware and New Jersey, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral science (<i>www.wilmu.edu</i>). The degree program includes courses in psychology, sociology and philosophy. The program focuses on normal and abnormal individual development and the behavior of families, groups and cultural populations. Internship opportunities are made available to students in a variety of local settings.
</p><h3 id="section---GeneralStudiesCoreCourses">General Studies Core Courses</h3><p>Students learn about computer operations, the fundamentals of economics and English composition and advanced communication skills. Human worldviews are studied. Other core courses include:
</p><ul><li>Mathematics
</li><li>Psychology
</li><li>Sociology
</li><li>Human anatomy and physiology
</li><li>Electives in the humanities
</li></ul><h3 id="section---BehavioralScienceCoreCourses">Behavioral Science Core Courses</h3><p>In the behavioral science core courses, students study inferential statistics, values and ethics in behavioral science, cultural anthropology and behavioral science research techniques so they can analyze existing research and conduct their own studies. Theoretical courses cover behavioral development, personality and abnormal psychology. Other behavioral science core courses explore aspects of culture and society:
</p><ul><li>Family and marriage relationships
</li><li>Ethnic groups and minorities
</li><li>Social change
</li><li>Group dynamics
</li><li>Interpersonal communication
</li></ul><h3 id="section---KnowledgeAndSkillsLearned">Knowledge and Skills Learned</h3><p>Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science degree program, graduates will have gained the knowledge and skills to demonstrate a change in developments at various societal levels and be well versed in the complexities of diversity and multiculturalism in society.</p>