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, which prepares students for careers in such fields and setting such as early childhood education; early childhood intervention programs; community programs for children, youth, and adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities; delinquency, juvenile justice, and law enforcement programs; public health and health care settings; and community-based and nongovernmental organizations. Many careers are enhanced by or require graduate study or professional training.

Applied Behavioral Science Department website

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. 
 
Counseling/Therapy Services: Includes participating in programs that emphasize client empowerment, advocating for policies that promote the well-being of specialty populations, and providing counsel. 
 
Gerontology: Entails providing personal care, health care, advocacy, and personal counseling to older adults in a variety of settings. 
 
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.  
 
Education: Embodies working with children and adolescents in an educational setting while focusing on their development. 

Explore More Career Paths 

Jobs to Consider  

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

Job and Internship Search 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