Behavioral science is related to psychology in that it makes use of observations of human behavior data to construct conclusions, but it takes a slightly different approach than the inward-looking psychological modeling of mind and personality. This subject focuses more on the effects that human actions have on relationships, decision-making and other aspects of human choice.

Expertise in behavioral science can be valuable in several different industries, and trained professionals are in demand all over the country. Degrees in the subject can be earned in a variety of different ways, depending on the goals and available resources of a given institution. Some schools group them with degrees in psychology, sociology and other social science disciplines, while others classify behavioral science degrees under the same umbrella as business school training, thus preparing students to apply their skills in a commercial context.

There are also different sets of expectations for behavioral science study at each academic level, with higher-order degrees often employing deeper channels of inquiry to a narrower, more specialized subject focus. Let's take a quick look at what you might expect at each level of behavioral science training.

At the associate level, behavioral science degree programs tend to concentrate on the basics, including introductory courses in social science, research methods and scientific inquiry. One advantage of an associate degree in behavioral science is how well it can prepare you to enter a bachelor's program in the discipline, but it may also demonstrate dedication to employers and thereby help you land internships or entry-level jobs.

Professionals with behavioral science training can translate their knowledge into success in a variety of different careers. Here are just a few of the paths you might take in the workforce after graduating with a behavioral science degree:

Interested in one of these careers? Check out behavioral science schools near you, and start identifying your next career steps.

Community colleges are great places to look for behavioral science degrees. Some institutions, like Granite State College in New Hampshire, offer behavioral science associate degrees online.

Bachelor's degrees in behavioral science tend to delve deeper into concepts that are only touched on in associate degree programs. Hands-on application of research methods is often a part of the upper-division study at this level, and bachelor's degree coursework tends to address these more complex subjects in behavioral science, such as:

A behavioral science bachelor's degree can potentially open many doors career-wise, particularly in the business world. Market research, human resources, public relations and customer service management are only a few of the fields where behavioral science training can be valuable. Many universities, including Bellevue University, Ashford University and Wilmington University offer an online bachelor's degree in behavioral science.

If your goal in understanding human behavior is to construct beneficial social policy based on your knowledge, or to eventually teach others what you know, a master's degree in behavioral science might be the right choice for you. You'll typically need a master's degree if you plan to go all the way and earn your Ph.D. The degree can also lead to opportunities in industries you may not expect, such as criminal justice, public health and government.

The coursework content and admission prerequisites of a behavioral science master's degree program tend to vary based on the student's chosen concentration. Those focusing on general psychology may need experimental design courses, counseling-oriented degrees may require study of counseling theories and methods, and students of behavioral science for criminal justice may need criminology and ethics courses. Online master's degrees and post-master's certificates in behavioral science can be found at many institutions, including Capella University and Saint Joseph's University.

Because it has applications in so many professional disciplines, certain institutions may combine the knowledge and skills of behavioral science with one of their other departments. There are some of the related disciplines where the behavioral science courses might be hiding in your school:

It's possible that behavioral science courses offered through departments other than psychology and sociology may focus on concepts of behavior as they relate to that specific department, so talk to an adviser or a departmental representative if you want to make your best-informed decision about which courses to take. The fact remains that if you're interested in behavioral science but the school you've chosen doesn't have a degree with that exact name, you can still find a way to keep yourself on track.

Sources:

Online Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science, Ashford University, http://www.ashford.edu/degrees/online/ba-applied-behavioral-science.htm

Behavioral Science Degree - Bachelor of Science, Bellevue University, http://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/undergraduate/behavioral-science-bs/major-requirements.aspx

Master of Science - Behavioral Science, Cameron University, http://cameron.edu/graduate/programs/ms/

Master of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences Specialization, Capella University, http://www.capella.edu/online-degrees/mph-social-behavioral-sciences/courses

Associate of Science in Behavioral Science, Granite State College, http://www.granite.edu/pdf/curriculummaps/undergraduate/AssocSciBehSci.pdf

Post Master's in Behavior Analysis, Saint Joseph's University, http://www.sju.edu/int/academics/cas/grad/pmba/overview.html

Human Resource Specialists and Labor Relations Specialists, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, Jan. 8, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists-and-labor-relations-specialists.htm

Market Research Analysts, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Jan. 8, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm

Rehabilitation Counselors, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, Jan. 8, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm

Social Workers, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Jan. 8, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Social-workers.htm

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Jan. 8, 2014, http:// http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-and-behavioral-disorder-counselors.htm

Behavioral Science, Bachelor of Science, Wilmington University, http://www.wilmu.edu/behavioralscience/behavsci_curr.aspx

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