Behavioral science degrees

Gain the skills to turn your passion for helping others into a career. When you earn your behavioral science degree online, you’ll learn how to help address clients’ mental, emotional, social and case management needs.

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Why earn your behavioral science degree with us?

Our bachelor’s-level degree programs equip you to serve the underserved in community settings, while our master’s degrees in counseling prepare you to pursue licensure in mental health counseling or marriage, family and child therapy.

Save time and money

You’ll have the opportunity to get your prior academic and professional experience evaluated for potential credit, which could shorten your time to completion and save you money.

Transfer your credits

Affordable, fixed tuition

We’ve locked in tuition for the duration of your program. So, when you earn your behavioral science degree online, you can count on your tuition to be as dependable as your education.

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Gain real-world knowledge

Our instructors average 26 years of experience in the fields they teach. So, you won’t just study theory you’ll learn how to apply it.

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How to apply

We’re with you every step of the way

Set your goals

Select your behavioral sciences degree, course or certificate.

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Complete your application on your own or with the help of an enrollment representative.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is behavioral science?

To put it simply, behavioral science explores human behavior and how people interact in their world.

Choose behavioral science degrees if you want to support others and advocate for their well-being or rights.

What can I do with a behavioral science degree?

Depending on the program you choose, our behavioral science degrees can prepare you to work in a variety of settings:

Bachelor of Science in Social Work – Help ensure the safety of children, help those suffering from domestic abuse or serve the underserved in your community
Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services - Manage cases, facilitate programs and address the needs of people impacted by the criminal justice system
Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Help clients improve relationships, advance personal growth and face crisis or trauma
Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family and Child Therapy - Assess family dynamics, offer comforting insights to children in need or help couples to communicate better

How long will it take me to earn a behavioral science degree?

Here’s how long it can take to complete a behavioral science bachelor or master’s degree program without any prior academic or professional experience transfers:

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW): approximately 4 years
Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services (BSCPSS): approximately 4 years
Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSC/CCMH): approximately 3 years, 6 months
Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (MSC/MFCT): approximately 3 years, 2 months

Do any of the behavioral science degrees at University of Phoenix have special accreditation?

The Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSC/CCMH) program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) at the Utah* and Phoenix campuses.

*The Utah campus is in teach-out and no longer taking new enrollments.

Do the behavioral science degrees that prepare for professional licensure or certification have additional graduation requirements?

Yes! Some of our behavioral science programs require field education, clinical hours, practicum hours, special exams or additional state requirements for licensure.

See additional details on program and state licensure requirements here:

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*While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.