Behavioral Science
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Types of Degrees Behavioral Science Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many behavioral science graduations there were in 2020-2021 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1,148 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 138 |
| Graduate Certificate | 72 |
What Behavioral Science Majors Need to Know
People with careers related to behavioral science were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.
Knowledge Areas for Behavioral Science Majors
This major prepares you for careers in which these knowledge areas are important:
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Skills for Behavioral Science Majors
A major in behavioral science prepares you for careers in which the following skill-sets are crucial:
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Abilities for Behavioral Science Majors
As you progress with your behavioral science degree, there are several abilities you should pick up that will help you in whatever related career you choose. These abilities include:
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
What Can You Do With a Behavioral Science Major?
Below is a list of occupations associated with behavioral science:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Community and Social Service Specialists | 13.2% | $42,620 |
| Life Scientists | 9.0% | $78,190 |
| Neuropsychologists and Clinical Neuropsychologists | 10.3% | $100,770 |
| Transportation Planners | 6.7% | $81,340 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Science?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of behavioral science majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 77 |
| Black or African American | 173 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 161 |
| White | 563 |
| International Students | 99 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 75 |
Geographic Diversity
Students from other countries are interested in Behavioral Science, too. About 8.6% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- Canada
- India
- Malaysia
- China
- South Korea
How Much Do Behavioral Science Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that behavioral science students who graduated in 2017-2019 with a master’s degree made a median starting salary of $41,307 per year. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $41,307 (25th percentile) and $41,307 (75th percentile).
We don’t know for sure if all of these people took jobs related to behavioral science so take that into consideration.
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $46,050 to $89,150 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to behavioral science. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Behavioral Science
Some degrees associated with behavioral science may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to behavioral science have obtained the following education levels.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 36.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 12.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 48.2% |
Online Behavioral Science Programs
In 2020-2021, 128 schools offered a behavioral science program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 0 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 2 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 29 | 8 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 13 | 3 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 0 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 28 | 3 |
| Post-Master’s | 4 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 19 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 1 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Behavioral Science Worth It?
The median salary for a behavioral science grad is $85,750 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 115% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $917,000 after 20 years!
Top Ranking Lists for Behavioral Science
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Majors Related to Behavioral Science
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to behavioral science.
References
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By Polimerek under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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