School of Behavioral Sciences Help Society and Others with a Behavioral Science Degree

Behavioral science is the study of how people think, act, and interact with others. It brings together fields like psychology, sociology, and human development. As a student, you can study patterns of behavior and how they relate to individuals and communities.

If you’re considering a behavioral psychology degree or another related program, it’s important to know what you’re committing to. The length of time it might take to complete your degree depends on various factors, such as the number of credit hours you are allowed and able to complete each semester. The total number of credit hours varies by program, depending on the type of program you choose. For reference, a normal full-time undergraduate student load can generally fall between 12 and 18 credit hours per semester, and 9 credit hours per semester is considered a full-time graduate and doctoral student load. Doctoral students may only take 3 credits when completing their dissertation to be considered full-time.

• If you’re interested in an associate degree in behavioral science online, these programs often require around 60 credit hours.
• Considering a bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, forensic psychology, or a biblical psychology degree? The credit hour requirements for these programs usually fall around 120 credit hours.
• Maybe you’re considering an online master’s in psychology, a master’s in counseling, a master’s in social work, or a licensed professional counselor (LPC) degree online. Our master’s programs can vary in length, so checking the credit hour requirement on the degree page is the best way to better understand what your pace might be.
• Finally, you may be considering a behavioral sciences degree at the doctoral level. These programs vary as well, but some of our programs require approximately 60 credit hours. Additionally, our postgraduate programs allow you to gain doctoral-level training through programs requiring fewer credits than a full doctorate.

There are a variety of behavioral sciences online degrees to choose from. These degrees range from the associate to the doctoral level and cover human services, professional counseling, and more.

Here are some of the majors that Liberty offers:

• Our behavioral sciences associate degrees online include psychology and Christian counseling programs.
• For our bachelor’s degrees in behavioral sciences, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, a bachelor’s degree in human services, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
• At the master’s level, our online degrees in behavioral sciences include applied psychology, social work, and marriage and family therapy, as well as addiction, clinical mental health, human services, and school counseling.
• Our doctoral behavioral health degrees online include community care and counseling, counselor education and supervision, and psychology. We also offer a postgraduate degree in community care and counseling.

The best online social work degree for you depends on your individual needs as a student. Do you prefer some in-person instruction or purely online learning? Do you need an accredited degree? Does the school line up with your values? Answering these questions can help you figure out what’s best for you.

We believe the School of Behavioral Sciences at Liberty University stands out. Here are some reasons why:

• Both our BS in Social Work and master’s in social work are accredited by CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education. You can be confident that you are receiving a quality education.
• Our social work bachelor’s and master’s degrees can be completed almost entirely online. You can continue working, volunteering, and spending time with family while pursuing your degree – all from the comfort of home.
• Liberty University’s mission is Training Champions for Christ. We incorporate biblical principles into all of our courses and are committed to helping you become an integrity-driven professional.

Yes, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Some of our programs are also accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This behavioral sciences accreditation applies to the institution as a whole. Some programs may also have additional accreditation or approval based on their field.

Behavioral sciences tuition and costs can vary based on your program, level of study, and enrollment status. View our current tuition costs here.

Additionally, you can review financial aid options on our financing options page as you plan your education.

Behavioral science is a broader field that includes psychology, sociology, and other disciplines. Psychology focuses more specifically on mental processes and individual behavior. As a student, you can choose a program that matches how focused or broad you want your studies to be.

Yes, many programs are available through online learning. Some programs, especially counseling degrees, may include in-person requirements like internships, intensives (online or on-campus), or practicums that can be completed at an approved location near you. For more information, view our online exclusions page.