Top 5 Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Programs for 2019
An online behavioral psychology degree can prepare you for versatile careers in fields like research design and behavior modification, but you may also have the opportunity to transform lives. Behavioral health technicians and substance abuse counselors are in high demand; data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates more than 21,000 new jobs will open by 2024.
In addition to human-service careers, the best online behavioral psychology degree programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions in industries like advertising, human resources, and market research. The following page offers a variety of key information — including sample courses and career paths — designed to assist you in the pursuit of a behavioral psychology degree online.
Featured Online Schools
What are the Best Online Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology Programs?
Top 5 Online Bachelors in Behavioral Psychology Programs for 2019
Admissions Rate
66%
Graduation Rate
37%
Online Enrollment
12%
Retention Rate
76%
Default Rate
7%
Mercy offers two online behavioral psychology degrees that combine psychology and sociology to study human behavior. Students can earn a degree in behavioral science as either a BA or BS , each of which includes 40 credits of major coursework.
The school is friendly to transfer students, allowing students to apply up to 75 credits from a two-year institution or 90 credits from a four-year institution towards their degree. However, students must earn at least 18 credits of major coursework at Mercy to graduate. All online students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency. Applications are evaluated holistically, so students do not have to submit ACT or SAT scores. Successful applicants demonstrate both academic achievement and extracurricular leadership.
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What Will I Learn in an Online Behavioral Psychology Program?
Students who pursue an online behavioral psychology degree frequently take courses in the areas listed below. This sample curriculum highlights commonly required courses and provides a brief description of course outcomes and how each course can prepare them for professional roles in the field. Coursework varies depending on the program chosen, and students should check with their school to determine specific courses.
Abnormal Psychology This course explores the differences between normal and disordered responses to stimuli, and examines biological and environmental causes of mental illness. Counselors and psychologists use knowledge of mental illnesses to develop treatment plans and conduct research.
Lifespan Development This course introduces students to various theories and stages of human growth and development. Students explore the influence of genetics on mental illness, such as addiction and resilience to trauma. Crisis response professionals and addiction counselors rely on knowledge of lifespan development to implement appropriate interventions.
Research and Statistics From research design to data analysis and publication, this course provides students with an overview of approaches to conducting and interpreting research in the field of social sciences. Academic researchers, clinicians, and consultants rely on these skills to develop and test hypotheses, formulate evidence-based treatment plans, and evaluate programs.
What Can I do with an Online Behavioral Psychology Degree?
While an online behavioral psychology degree sets a solid foundation for graduate studies in social sciences, most prepare graduates for a variety of occupations that work with individuals and families in mental health agencies, schools, and government organizations. With skills in research design and statistical analysis, recent graduates may find positions that work closely with doctors and scientists, and help discover innovative approaches to understanding human behavior. The following table features potential career paths for graduates of online behavioral psychology degree programs.
An addiction counselor helps clients struggling with substance abuse and other addictions, such as shopping and gambling. Job duties include coordinating treatment with other mental health professionals, developing treatment plans, and leading group therapy.
Median Salary: $39,966
Job Outlook and Salary for Behavioral Psychology Graduates
One of the most common careers paths for behavioral psychology graduates is addiction counseling. Unlike clinical mental health counseling — which usually require a master's degree and state licensure — behavioral health agencies often hire addiction counselors with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Substance abuse counselors are in high demand. BLS projections indicate this occupation will grow 22% over the next several years; the table below features employment of substance abuse counselors in 2014, and projected employment by 2024. While job availability varies by location and employer type, recent policy changes, including mandated insurance coverage for mental health disorders and treatment for drug offenders, will continue to influence the need for substance abuse counselors.
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 94,900 | 116,200 |
Salary Growth by Experience for Behavioral Psychologists
Several factors will influence your annual earnings, including the industry, location, and your years of experience. In general, increased work experience tends to result in higher annual earnings.The following table illustrates the relationship between work experience and potential annual earnings in four careers pursued by graduates of online behavioral psychology degree. While the annual earnings of behavioral health technicians remain stable across a 20-year span, a seasoned case manager earns almost double as those in entry-level positions.
To determine the best online bachelor's in behavioral psychology programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online bachelor's in behavioral psychology programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.