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 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 612 |
| Graduate Certificate | 59 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 53 |
What Behavioral Science Majors Need to Know
In an O*NET survey, behavioral science majors were asked to rate what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important in their occupations. These answers were weighted on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most important.
Knowledge Areas for Behavioral Science Majors
According to O*NET survey takers, a major in behavioral science should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:
- 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
behavioral science majors are found most commonly in careers in which the following skills are important:
- 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?
People with a behavioral science degree often go into the following careers:
| 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 | 31 |
| Black or African American | 71 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 81 |
| White | 330 |
| International Students | 48 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 51 |
Geographic Diversity
Behavioral Science appeals to people across the globe. About 7.8% 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?
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. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.
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 the 2018-2019 academic year, 115 schools offered some type of behavioral science program. 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) | 6 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 2 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 20 | 7 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 8 | 2 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 6 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 22 | 1 |
| Post-Master’s | 3 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 9 | 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!
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Majors Related to Behavioral Science
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to behavioral science.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 2,661 |
| Nutrition Science | 1,439 |
| Sustainability Science | 1,184 |
| International Studies | 1,182 |
| Computational Science | 763 |
| Museum Studies | 710 |
| Gerontology | 645 |
| Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution | 630 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 611 |
| Human Computer Interaction | 562 |
| Dispute Resolution | 522 |
| Systems Theory | 460 |
| Historic Preservation | 292 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 213 |
| Mathematics & Computer Science | 189 |
| Science, Technology & Society | 187 |
| Cognitive Science | 152 |
| Multicultural & Diversity Studies | 131 |
| Natural Sciences | 94 |
| Marine Science | 92 |
| Cultural Studies & Analysis | 69 |
| Medieval Studies | 49 |
| Classical & Ancient Studies | 30 |
| Holocaust Studies | 30 |
| Maritime Studies | 20 |
| Accounting & Computer Science | 10 |
| Human Biology | 8 |
| Biopsychology | 1 |
References
- 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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