Bachelor of Science
Behavioral Science Degree
Study the science of relationships and start on a path that changes lives.
Best Online Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Psychology by Best College Reviews, 2021
Behavioral Science Degree
Prepare for your career with a practice-focused behavioral science degree.
Complex family dynamics. Substance abuse issues. The challenges you’ll face in your career will vary widely. From the very beginning of our Behavioral Science degree program, we help you prepare for the future as you research and gain knowledge on topics within psychology, sociology, human diversity, ethics, human services, and more. You’ll study a spectrum of individual, family and community-wide challenges as a behavioral science major, and you’ll execute projects that level into a comprehensive electronic portfolio you can share with potential employers.
Take one course at a time in an accelerated degree program.
Transfer in with an associate degree (or at least 60 credits from a previous institution), and earn your behavioral science degree as part of an accelerated cohort.* The cohort offers a simplified study experience that involves registering once for courses at the beginning of the program and taking one course at a time with the same group of peers online—having more collaborative experiences and graduating with a stronger network to start your career.
The social science and people skills you need to make a difference.
No matter what path you follow in behavioral science, your success will be about the lives you impact. When you graduate, you'll have the skills you need for careers in settings like social services, corporate leadership and human resources, and clinical counseling and behavioral health.
- Communicate professionally in clinical and counseling settings
- Conduct comprehensive patient/client assessments
- Leverage research and data to inform your work
- Establish treatment plans that facilitate change
The impact you’ll make matters. Get started with a Behavioral Science degree at Bellevue University.
Courses
What You’ll Learn
At the successful completion of the Bellevue University Behavioral Science undergraduate degree, graduates will be qualified to enter the human services field or for advancement in the field.
This degree equips you with the following learning skills (critical thinking, creative thinking, communicating, and collaborating) needed for professionals in the field:
- Analyze and apply professional and ethical standards in human services to facilitate decision-making and communication.
- Apply practical and theoretical knowledge such as counseling theories, treatment strategies, and leadership strategies to demonstrate ability in problem-solving and in synthesizing concepts.
- Communicate appropriate evidence-based concepts to successfully navigate complex human systems and implement services.
- Distinguish the influences and importance of diversity in human service relationships to demonstrate an awareness of ethics and values and to encourage collaboration.
Behavioral Science Degree Courses
Current students please login to BRUIN and select “Academic Progress” for your curriculum requirements.
Requirements (40 credit hours)
(All courses are 4 credit hours)
(Click a course name below to view course details)
This course prepares students for success in their academic and professional careers in behavioral science. The foundation for learning is established for professional skill development through practical experience. Learner strengths are assessed and analytical, relational, and resilience skills are developed.
Each of the many professions involved in human services approaches client and community needs from its own specialized perspectives and uses tools for assessment and treatment that vary from uses of media to prescription medications. Professional skills development in the interaction with social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals will be explored.
All human service professionals must be able to find and accurately utilize information published in journals and scholarly books. This course puts emphasis on learning to recognize and analyze research types relevant to human services to extract key information. This course also will facilitate learning of basic descriptive statistics and standardized scores in measurement. The evaluation of ethical research will also be discussed.
Addresses cultural, social, religious, and economic factors applicable to cultural, ethnic, and minority populations; both from the perspective of the culturally diverse client and the counselor. Experimental methods of learning are emphasized, including the development of self- awareness in the helper. Traditional counseling theories, as well as more recent approaches to counseling diverse groups are analyzed for ethical and practical implications. The helper’s role in addressing advocacy and justice are explored.
This course will explore evidence-based conceptualizations of both normal and disordered mental states, together with an examination of the etiology, development, manifestation, and potential treatment of mental disorders in infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
This course provides opportunities to practice a basic set of interviewing and helping skills commonly used in individual and group counseling. An integrative approach will be used which allows students to learn, understand, and use skills taken from major counseling approaches, and to integrate these into a sequential process that maximizes the possibility of facilitating change in clients.
Counseling theories are useful guides for human service professionals because they identify key factors in assessment and treatment. This course introduces “traditional” theories such as psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral. Other more specialized counseling theories and techniques are helpful for ethnic identity issues, family problems, and recovery from substance abuse. Many of the theories also identify specific counseling techniques such as problem solving, goal setting, Motivational Interviewing, empathy, and exploring cognition and behavior.
This course will merge the complex and comprehensive understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all the developmental levels and in multicultural contexts. Individual and family developmental theories and transitions, as well as theories of learning and personality development including knowledge about neurobiological behavior and resiliency are emphasized. Knowledge about human behavior as it relates to developmental crisis, trauma-causing events, addictions, psychopathology, disability, and other factors that influence normal and abnormal behavior will be presented.
Human Services professionals will be most effective if the strategies they use are validated by clinical research. A range of validated methods are analyzed in areas such as clinical assessment, empathy, parenting, depression, anxiety, phobias, and pain management. Additionally, instruction includes application designed to strengthen the ethical reasoning skills of the professional as related to substance abuse.
The Behavioral Science Capstone reflects on professional identity and development in the human service field.
Kirkpatrick Signature Series Requirements (9 credit hours)
(In addition to the Major Requirements, all Bellevue University students must complete the Kirkpatrick Signature Series)
This course focuses on the political and philosophical traditions of the American republic, especially as embedded in the ideals, values, traditions, founding documents, and institutions of the United States , and considers how these traditions relate to individual citizenship and global society. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
This course focuses on the creative tensions that exist between the forces of tradition and change as the country undergoes social, cultural, and political change. It considers the manner in which change can renew the vitality of a republic. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
This course examines civic engagement in relation to individual freedoms and responsibilities. It fosters engaged citizens, empowered to effect positive change. Prerequisite: 60 Credit Hours
Integrative General Education Credits
Major Requirements Credits
Elective Credits
= 127 Total Credits*
General Education Courses
Take general education courses that do more than fill a requirement. At Bellevue University, these courses build foundational skills that apply to any career—critical thinking, qualitative reasoning, and ethical leadership. And, you can take courses individually or in course clusters, which connect three courses around one theme, building skills as you go.
Elective Courses
Our broad selection of electives allows you to select courses related to your major or expand your perspective in other areas of interest.
University Accreditation
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).
Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students with financial aid, employers who provide tuition assistance, donors, and the federal government.
Students applying for professional license or certification should verify the University’s offerings meet the requirements with the professional organization.
*Consult with an admissions counselor to determine your eligible credits, as well as to verify minimum graduation requirements for this degree. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Bellevue University makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until an evaluation has been conducted.
Get credit for what you’ve earned.
Accelerate your path to earning a degree.
Thanks to our generous credit transfer policy, you can avoid retaking the classes you’ve already completed, and chip away at the credit requirements you need to complete your degree.
- Already have an associate degree? You could accelerate your bachelor's degree completion. Transfer your full associate degree or even your A.A.S.*
- You may be able to get credit for your military experience and training.
Finish Faster
Format
100% Online learning that works for your life and your goals.
Our flexible online courses are designed to bring quality learning into a format that fits your schedule, without sacrificing meaningful faculty feedback and collaboration with peers across the country. Stay on track with the help of your Student Coach — with you from day one to graduation.
On-campus classes offered on a convenient schedule.
If you prefer an in-person learning experience, our Omaha-area campus offers classes that accommodate the working professional’s schedule.
Graduate with a built-in network.
Take one class at a time and get to know a consistent group of peers as you earn your Behavioral Science Degree. The accelerated cohort path will allow you to share expertise from your varied backgrounds and gain knowledge that makes you a better professional.
Whether you earn your Behavioral Science degree online or on campus, we’re here to help.
Tuition & Financial Aid
It’s more affordable than you think.
Earning a degree is an investment in yourself, and we want to help you make sure it’s a wise one with a generous credit transfer policy and competitive tuition rates.
2023 / 2024 Academic Year
$449 Online Cost Per Credit $339 In-Class Cost Per Credit (Daytime Residential Only) $250 Military Preferred Cost Per Credit
(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)
2024 / 2025 Academic Year
$449 Online Cost Per Credit $339 In-Class Cost Per Credit (Daytime Residential Only) $250 Military Preferred Cost Per Credit
(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)
Only pay for the credits you need.
Talk to us about our generous credit transfer policy so you can make more of the credits you’ve already earned count toward your degree.
Get help with financial aid.
Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you. Explore all the ways to help pay for your degree.
Military Preferred (Active Duty and Spouses Only)
Active duty members of the United States Military, National Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard (and their spouses) who declare this Undergraduate major are eligible for a tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for all courses in their Undergraduate Degree.
Only pay for what you need. Earn your Behavioral Science degree at Bellevue University.
Admissions
Removing barriers to the education you deserve.
College is challenging, but getting in shouldn’t be. We have simplified our requirements for admission and we do not require entrance exam scores like the ACT or SAT—so you can get on track to achieving your goals. Here’s how it will go:
Prior to beginning the cohort-based online Behavioral Science Degree, you must possess an associate degree or 60 semester hours completed with a grade of "C-" or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning. If you do not meet this requirement, speak with admissions about how you can build your credits directly with Bellevue University.
To be admitted to Bellevue University, provide proof of high school completion. We accept the following forms of documentation:
- Official high school transcript
- GED certificate
- Homeschool letter of completion
- Certificate demonstrating that the student has passed a state authorized examination recognized by the state in which it is awarded — equivalent to a high school diploma.
- Self-certification on application.
You’ll just need to complete the application and submit the following:
- Official high school transcripts or proof of high school completion
- If applicable, official transcripts from any college or university you previously attended
- A one-time $50 application fee
- Note:
- International students must provide a few extra documents. See international student bachelor admissions details.
- Students applying for a cohort-based major must possess an associate degree or 60 semester hours completed with a grade of "C-" or higher from an accredited institution of higher learning. If you do not meet this requirement, you can build your credits directly with Bellevue University.
Short on time? You can start the application and save your progress as you go. Start your application >
You'll just need to create an account and complete a pre-application to Bellevue University through Guild. Once you receive confirmation that your pre-application to Bellevue University has been approved, you'll need to complete the required steps to get fully accepted and registered. These include:
- Submitting transcripts from past institutions
- Completing the FAFSA, per your employer's benefit requirement
If you’re transferring from another institution of higher education, you must submit an official transcript from each accredited institution you previously attended. Here are a few details to note:
- A transcript can be emailed securely to busrtranscripts@bellevue.edu or by mail. It is required to be sent directly from the issuing institution to Bellevue University's Office of the Registrar to be considered an official document. Please check with previous institution for available sending options.
- Applicants who submit an official transcript which reflects a two-year degree from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution are not required to show proof of high school completion.
- Transcripts must be submitted even if credits were not earned at the previous institution or if transfer credit is not granted.
Nebraska students:
The state of Nebraska has approved the following BSA classes to count toward the Provisional Licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PLADC). There is additional course work required.
If you apply for the PLADC in the state of Nebraska, your transcript will serve as your verification of successful completion.
NOTE: There is no guarantee for non-Nebraska residents that these classes will count towards licensure in their home state. Please contact your state licensure department for more information.
The courses listed below qualify toward some of the 270 hours education requirement for obtaining a provisional alcohol and drug license (PLADC) in the state of Nebraska.
Behavioral Health Program :
Counseling theories are useful guides for human service professionals because they identify key factors in assessment and treatment. This course introduces “traditional” theories such as psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral. Other more specialized counseling theories and techniques are helpful for ethnic identity issues, family problems, and recovery from substance abuse. Many of the theories also identify specific counseling techniques such as problem solving, goal setting, Motivational Interviewing, empathy, and exploring cognition and behavior.
Addresses cultural, social, religious, and economic factors applicable to cultural, ethnic, and minority populations; both from the perspective of the culturally diverse client and the counselor. Experimental methods of learning are emphasized, including the development of self- awareness in the helper. Traditional counseling theories, as well as more recent approaches to counseling diverse groups are analyzed for ethical and practical implications. The helper’s role in addressing advocacy and justice are explored.
This course will merge the complex and comprehensive understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all the developmental levels and in multicultural contexts. Individual and family developmental theories and transitions, as well as theories of learning and personality development including knowledge about neurobiological behavior and resiliency are emphasized. Knowledge about human behavior as it relates to developmental crisis, trauma-causing events, addictions, psychopathology, disability, and other factors that influence normal and abnormal behavior will be presented.
Human Services professionals will be most effective if the strategies they use are validated by clinical research. A range of validated methods are analyzed in areas such as clinical assessment, empathy, parenting, depression, anxiety, phobias, and pain management. Additionally, instruction includes application designed to strengthen the ethical reasoning skills of the professional as related to substance abuse.
Use this link https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Alcohol-and-Drug-Counselor.aspx to see the requirements.
Ready to get started?
Reach out to admissions.
- Get your questions answered about the Behavioral Science Degree
- Understand your financial aid and scholarship options
- Map out a schedule that fits with your priorities
