Penn State Harrisburg

Course Details

Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavioral Science

Course Description

The Applied Behavioral Science major offers two options: Social and Human Services and Interdisciplinary Social Science. The major helps students prepare for careers that provide direct service to individuals in need of assistance. These careers are in a variety of human services, in both the public and private sectors, and in personnel-related positions such as human resources. Graduates may also pursue advanced degrees in fields such as community psychology, social work, human resource management, human services, and counseling. The strengths of the program include: internships directly related to the student’s area of interest, flexibility in course selection that allows students to focus on particular interests, a solid foundation of knowledge on which to build skills, and skill development courses. For a B.S. degree in Applied Behavioral Science, a minimum of 120 credits is required.

Course Duration

NumberDuration
3year

Career outcomes

The Applied Behavioral Science program provides a base of theoretical knowledge and the hands-on skills needed to apply that knowledge effectively in working with people. The program aims to prepare graduates for a career that provides direct service to individuals in need of assistance. These opportunities exist in human service settings under a variety of job titles, such as social service technician, case management aide, social work assistant, residential counselor, alcohol or drug abuse counselor, mental health technician, child abuse worker, community outreach worker, and gerontology aide. In community and government settings, human service positions can be found in welfare, Medicaid, job training programs, or other agencies that evaluate client need and provide benefits. Finally, graduates of the Applied Behavioral Science program may find opportunities in both the private and public sectors as human resource professionals.




Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavioral Science Penn State Harrisburg