B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences: What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career

The B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree program. The Applied Behavioral Sciences major draws on psychology, sociology, communication, and cultural and organizational studies to build a practical framework for understanding human behavior and leadership. This degree is designed to be directly applicable to a wide variety of different workplaces and helping professions, and is not academically specialized in a single, narrow discipline. For example, National Louis University offers a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences degree through its Undergraduate College.

What Is a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences?

Applied Behavioral Sciences is an interdisciplinary field of study. There are many areas of study included in this field. The primary goal of Applied Behavioral Sciences is to teach individuals how to apply knowledge of human behavior to help individuals and groups in specific situations. Many individuals and groups can benefit from knowledge of human behavior that can be applied in practical settings. Therefore, many career choices are available to individuals who graduate with a degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences.

The program I am applying to is designed for working adults who have already earned college credit and are seeking to complete a Bachelor’s degree. A 90-quarter-hour degree completion program, offered by NLU since 1978, is one of the first of its kind. It is offered in fully online and on-campus formats, including weekend and evening class sections. Students in this program proceed as part of a cohort, progressing at approximately the same pace. Throughout the program, students complete two independent studies, in which they investigate topics of interest to them. Students can also minor or concentrate in several different areas, including the recently developed Entrepreneurship concentration. Most recently, NLU has established an accelerated pathway for graduates of the program to earn an M.A.T. in Elementary Education and obtain an Illinois teaching license within as few as one additional year.

Why Pursue a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences?

As noted previously, the B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences is an ideal degree for working adults who already have some college credit and want to complete their bachelor’s degree around their schedules and life experiences. Additionally, the interdisciplinary and practically oriented nature of the Applied Behavioral Sciences curriculum makes it ideal for those who wish to apply behavioral science knowledge in a variety of settings, including human resources, management, and social services.

In addition to the opportunity to get certified to teach, the degree can also be used to add a concentration to better prepare a student for a specific career they are interested in pursuing—for example, Applied Behavioral Science with an Entrepreneurship concentration.

This is a degree completion program. The program is designed for working adults. Thus, it tends to attract students who value the cohort model and independent study components. These components allow students to complete a degree while studying with the same cohort and completing independent study projects on topics of interest to them.

Key Questions About This Degree

Is this degree specifically for adults returning to finish a degree?

Is this degree for working adults with previous college credit? Most Applied Behavioral Sciences degrees are designed for working adults with prior college credit rather than first-time freshmen. It is best to check with the university to find out its specific degree requirements for prior college credit.

Can this degree lead to a teaching career?

An accelerated pathway to a graduate-level teaching credential can be connected to an applied behavioral sciences degree. For example, National Louis University’s B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences can be followed by an M.A.T. in Elementary Education, leading to an Illinois teaching license within a year of graduating with the B.A. degree. There is substantial overlap between the two programs, and the B.A. coursework can be used in part to satisfy the requirements for the M.A.T. degree.

What career fields does this degree typically prepare students for?

Human Resources, Social Work, Psychology, and related fields, Non-Profit Management – a wide variety of fields where a degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences can be applied to work with people within various settings, i.e., corporate, non-profit, government.

Can I add a specific concentration to this degree?

By combining the core curriculum for Applied Behavioral Sciences with a minor or concentration in a related field, most Applied Behavioral Sciences programs allow graduates to tailor their degrees to specific career interests. For example, NLU offers an Entrepreneurship concentration for the degree.

Career Outcomes

Job descriptions for graduates of the B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences program are listed on the NLU website, including Human Resources Coordinator/Specialist, Internal Training Specialist, Social Services Case Manager, and Project Manager/Community Liaison. Training and Development Specialists, a common career path for graduates from applied behavioral sciences programs, are expected to experience faster-than-average growth over the coming decade. The current BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook has wage and projection information for this occupation.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Specialists.

This broad-based degree is suitable for a wide variety of careers in non-profit, government, corporate, and educational settings. The degree provides graduates with strong communication skills and an understanding of human behavior and group dynamics. In addition, graduates can apply for jobs in human resources, social services, and organizational roles. Graduates who have completed the accelerated teaching license pathway can also apply for elementary education teaching jobs.

B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences at National Louis University

National Louis University’s Undergraduate College awards the Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences. This degree completion program is specifically designed for working adults. With a minimum of 90 quarter hours of prior college credit, these adults can complete their Bachelor’s Degree in about two years. The program has existed since 1978.