Behavioral Sciences.

Degree Overview

Behavioral Sciences (CIP 30.1701) is an interdisciplinary field focused on understanding, predicting, and influencing human behavior through scientific methods. It examines why people think, feel, and act the way they do—both as individuals and within groups—by integrating psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and data-driven analysis. This degree is designed for students who want to move beyond intuition and apply evidence-based frameworks to real-world human problems in business, healthcare, policy, technology, and research.

For a degree search site, Behavioral Sciences is a strong match for students interested in people-centered careers that still rely on analytics and structured thinking. It appeals to individuals who want to study behavior scientifically and use those insights to improve outcomes in areas like mental health, organizational effectiveness, public policy, education, marketing, and user experience. As organizations increasingly rely on behavioral data to guide decisions, this field sits at the intersection of human insight and measurable impact.

What Is a Behavioral Sciences Degree?

A Behavioral Sciences degree is an interdisciplinary program that studies human behavior using scientific observation, experimentation, and analysis. Unlike a single-discipline major, it draws from multiple social sciences to provide a broader understanding of how behavior is shaped by biology, environment, culture, incentives, and social systems.

Students learn to analyze behavior at multiple levels:

• Individual cognition, emotion, and decision-making
• Interpersonal interaction and group dynamics
• Organizational and institutional behavior
• Societal patterns and cultural influences

Universities offer this degree to:

• Train professionals who can analyze behavior using data and research
• Prepare students for applied roles in health, business, and public service
• Build foundations for graduate study in psychology, social science, or data-focused fields
• Develop interdisciplinary thinkers who can adapt to complex, people-driven challenges

Behavioral Sciences programs often emphasize research methods, statistics, and real-world application.

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how to study behavior systematically and draw reliable conclusions from evidence. You’ll explore how behavior is influenced by internal processes (like cognition and emotion) and external factors (such as incentives, social norms, and environments).

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Behavioral research methods—designing surveys, experiments, and observational studies
• Statistical analysis—interpreting data and identifying meaningful patterns
• Critical thinking—evaluating research quality and behavioral claims
• Human-centered analysis—understanding motivations and constraints
• Data literacy—working with behavioral datasets and research tools
• Communication skills—presenting findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ethical reasoning—protecting participants and ensuring responsible use of data
• Applied problem-solving—using behavioral insights to improve outcomes

These skills are transferable across many industries where understanding people is essential.

Topics You May Explore

Coursework varies by institution, but commonly includes:

• Psychology: cognition, emotion, learning, and mental processes
• Social Psychology: group behavior, persuasion, attitudes, and social influence
• Sociology: social structures, institutions, and inequality
• Behavioral Economics: decision-making, incentives, and irrational behavior
• Anthropology: cultural patterns and human diversity
• Research Methods: experimental design, surveys, and qualitative analysis
• Statistics for Behavioral Science: probability, regression, and data interpretation
• Organizational Behavior: workplace dynamics and leadership
• Health and Behavioral Science: behavior change, compliance, and public health

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Behavioral Sciences degree prepares students for entry- to mid-level roles in research, analysis, and people-focused functions. Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees for specialization.

Common career paths include:

• Behavioral Research Assistant: supporting studies in academic or applied settings
• Data or Research Analyst: analyzing behavioral or survey data
• Human Resources or People Analyst: improving hiring, engagement, and retention
• User Experience (UX) Research Assistant: studying how people interact with products
• Program Evaluator: assessing effectiveness of social or educational programs
• Marketing or Consumer Insights Analyst: understanding customer behavior
• Public Policy or Social Services Assistant: supporting behavior-informed initiatives
• Graduate or Professional School Path: preparing for psychology, public health, or research careers

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in settings where understanding behavior drives better decisions:

• Research institutions and universities
• Healthcare systems and public health organizations
• Government agencies and policy offices
• Technology companies (UX research, product teams)
• Marketing and consulting firms
• Nonprofit and social impact organizations
• Corporate HR and people analytics teams

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary by role, sector, and education level.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level research or analyst roles: often $45,000–$65,000
• Mid-level analysts or coordinators: commonly $65,000–$90,000
• UX, people analytics, or behavioral insights roles: often $80,000–$120,000
• Advanced-degree professionals: can earn significantly more

Graduate study can expand earning potential and leadership opportunities.

Is This Degree Hard?

Behavioral Sciences is considered moderately challenging. While it is not as math-heavy as some STEM fields, it does require comfort with statistics, research design, and critical analysis. Students must be able to read academic studies, interpret data, and write clearly supported arguments.

The difficulty lies in rigorously studying complex human behavior while avoiding oversimplification.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Are curious about why people behave the way they do
• Enjoy combining data with human insight
• Like research, analysis, and problem-solving
• Want to improve systems involving people—workplaces, products, or policies
• Are considering careers in research, health, policy, or technology
• Value evidence-based decision-making

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a behavioral sciences program:

• Take psychology, sociology, and social studies courses
• Build strong writing and critical reading skills
• Learn basic statistics or data analysis if available
• Participate in research projects, surveys, or social science clubs
• Practice observing patterns in human behavior thoughtfully and ethically

Behavioral Sciences (CIP 30.1701) is a versatile, future-relevant degree for students who want to understand people through science. It equips graduates with the analytical tools to study behavior, influence outcomes, and design systems that work better for humans in an increasingly complex world.