Applied Behavioral Science

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and BGS, as well as a MA, PhD, and a joint PhD-MPH in Applied Behavioral Science. The Department of Applied Behavioral Science offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of General Studies degree in five concentrations: Adults with Disabilities, Basic Research and Conceptual Foundations (with options in either), Child Life Specialty, Community Health and Development, Early Childhood (with options in education and intervention, autism, and research). Many careers are enhanced by or require graduate study or professional training.

Applied Behavioral Science Department website

Concentration Descriptions

• Adults with Disabilities: This concentration is for students interested in working with people with developmental disabilities and in the development of supportive teaching programs in the community for people with developmental disabilities. Courses teach observing and defining behavior; increasing appropriate and decreasing inappropriate behavior; developing relationships; counseling; legal and ethical issues; and experimental design. 

• Basic Research and Conceptual Foundations: This concentration is for students interested in careers for which research and conceptual skills are prerequisites (e.g., science, technology, data analysis) and for students interested in graduate school in the behavioral sciences (e.g., behavior analysis, behavioral pharmacology, behavioral neuroscience) or for professional training (e.g., allied health, pharmacology, medicine). 

• Child Life Specialty: This concentration is for students interested in becoming Certified Child Life Specialists - health care professionals who help children and families cope with illness, injury, trauma, disability, and bereavement. It includes courses in behavior analysis, child development, curriculum development, parenting, and others that address issues relating to young children. 

• Community Health and Development: This concentration is for students interested in building healthy and well-functioning communities by addressing a myriad of socially important problems and goals in communities (e.g., substance abuse, violence, education, child and youth development, independent living of people with disabilities, the well-being of older adults). Students in this concentration are trained to systematically examine community-level problems based on the principles and methods of applied behavioral science. 

• Early Childhood Education: This concentration is for students interested in studying young children and understanding the conditions that promote their healthy development. It includes courses in behavior analysis, child development, curriculum development, parenting, and others that address issues relating to young children. 

Sample of Related Skills 

• Interconnect personal, interpersonal, institutional, and community change 
• Evaluate and try to overcome barriers to healthy development and well-being at all levels of life 
• Strategize and develop policies that promote well-being in individuals, families, and communities 
• Research and develop preventive and strengths-promoting strategies as applied to complex, multicultural systems 
• Address social problems within communities 
• Better the lives of people with disabilities and youth and/or juvenile offenders

Popular Career Paths 

Social and Human Services: Involves providing personal care services to special populations such as lower SES, youth at-risk or people with disabilities as well as community outreach and education. This path is great for students with concentrations in Community Health and Development and Adults with Disabilities.

Gerontology: Entails providing personal care, health care, advocacy, and personal counseling to older adults in a variety of settings. This path is great for students with concentrations in Community Health and Development and Adults with Disabilities.

Health Professions: This path involves many outlets to expand on personal interests in a wide range of health occupations such as nursing, occupational therapy, and speech pathology.   This path is great for students with concentrations in Adults with Disabilities, Basic Research and Conceptual Foundations, Child Life Specialists and Community Health and Development.   

Education: Embodies working with children and adolescents in an educational setting while focusing on their development. This path is great for students with a concentration in Early Childhood Development.  

Lab and Research Work: Involves working with other professionals to research and study issues related to human development, behavior, and interventions. This path is great for students with concentrations in Basic Research and Conceptual Foundations and Community Health and Development.   

Jobs to Consider  

• Case Manager
• Child Development Supervisor
• Child Life Specialist
• Community Organizer
• Day Care Provider
• Development Officer
• Family Financial Counselor
• Family Resource Coordinator
• Family Support Worker
• Human Resources Manager
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Parent Educator
• Preschool Instructor
• Probation Officer
• Public Health Educator
• Public Relations Director
• Psychosocial Skills Trainer
• School Counselor
• Family Policy Analyst

Places to Seek Employment 

• Adoption Agencies
• Child Development Centers
• Child Welfare Agencies
• Criminal Justice Settings
• Research Institutes
• Policy/Advocacy Organizations
• Hospices
• Hospitals
• Human Rights Organizations
• Military Family Support Services
• Non-profit Organizations
• Head Start Programs
• Victim/Witness Support Services
• State and Local Health Departments
• Senior Day Program Centers
• Schools
• Employee Assistance Programs

Explore More Career Resources 

Children's Defense Fund - internships to help in the advancement of children's rights and standard of living 

Internships USA - Lists of internships by industry including The Human Rights Internship Book and Internships in Community and Social Service Agencies

Non-Profit Connect - local non-profit job and internship opportunities as well as non-profit career resources

American Association of Family and Consumer Services - resource for students and professionals from multiple practice settings and content areas 

Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services - career paths and job listings with SRS 

National Association for the Education of Young Children - national organization dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children 

National Council on Family Relations - information for students and new professionals regarding a concentration on the family system 

Health and Human Services of Lawrence - a local social services agency in the  Lawrence area

The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science - professional publication containing articles concerning research in the field of applied behavioral science