If you are interested in human behavior, decision-making, and social impact, you might be considering a career in a human-centered field, like psychology, public health, or even law enforcement. A behavioral science degree could prepare you for your dream position.

But what can you do with a behavioral science degree, practically speaking? The career outcomes can be quite broad. Simply put, behavioral science program graduates are well-equipped to work in systems that serve people and communities (from regulatory agencies to non-profit organizations).

Alliant International University offers a wide variety of online psychology degree programs, and many of these programs explore the principles of behavioral science. Below, we explore how professionals apply behavioral science degree principles in their careers.

What Is a Behavioral Science Degree and What Does It Teach You?

According to the World Health Organization, behavioral science helps us “understand and address behaviors that affect health.”¹

How do we do that? Behavioral scientists (and behavioral science educators) blend principles from multiple disciplines to study human actions in real-world contexts. As you pursue a degree in behavioral science, you will encounter concepts rooted in:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Public health

Of course, a high-quality behavioral science program will also teach you how to apply these concepts via:

• Research: Developing new knowledge and insights about human behavior and contributing to scientific advancements
• Observation: Noting how individuals and populations behave and drawing conclusions about these behaviors
• Communication: Engaging with peers within and outside of the behavioral science field to advance theory and best practices
• Ethical decision-making: Making decisions that are in the best interests of affected populations

Key Areas Where Behavioral Science Can Be Applied

All of the concepts and approaches described above are highly applicable to a variety of careers. Behavioral science graduates might apply their training by working in fields like:²

• Community and human services: Behavioral scientists can support addiction recovery programs, advocate for unhoused people, provide family services, or offer crisis intervention.
• Education and youth programs: Behavioral science program graduates are prepared to contribute to educational research, develop curricula for education programs, or provide school- or program-based behavioral support.
• Public and behavioral health initiatives: Behavioral scientists are uniquely equipped to work with health-focused teams on outreach, prevention, and mental health wellness projects.
• Research and policy support: Behavioral science experts can assist in research studies, write reports for regulatory agencies, or support policymaking related to behavioral health, criminal justice, and other niches.
• Behavioral analysis and intervention planning: Behavioral scientists are skilled at using evidence-based approaches to impart positive change in groups or among individuals.

If you are considering further specialization, behavioral science intersects with many psychology specializations, giving you the opportunity to focus your career more deeply on a particular area of interest. Ultimately, if your dream career centers around human behavior and making positive change at scale, this degree track could help you get there.

Behavioral Science at Alliant International University

At Alliant International University, we integrate behavioral science principles into many of our degree programs and give students real-world tools to assess human behavior and make impactful decisions.

Many of our programs focus on preparing professionals to work in community-centered roles. Specifically, we offer degree programs in:

• Clinical Psychology
• Clinical Counseling
• Marital and Family Therapy
• Organizational Psychology
• Social Work
• Forensic Behavioral Science

For those pursuing advanced education, we also provide resources and guidance on how to get a PhD in Psychology or how to get a PsyD Degree in Clinical Psychology, helping you navigate your path through graduate-level training in behavioral science-related fields.

While these are just a few of our degree programs focused on community and behavior, we take pride in providing a well-rounded, practical education to all of our graduates—no matter their chosen fields.

Skills That Set You Apart With a Behavioral Science Degree

Behavioral science students learn a variety of skills (both conceptual and practical) that are widely transferable across the career spectrum:

• Empathy and ethical reasoning: No matter your chosen field, empathy and ethics are valuable traits that form a solid foundation for every goal.
• Critical thinking and data interpretation: Today’s professionals must be able to do more than observe—they need to use critical thinking skills to analyze and synthesize new information.
• Cultural and social awareness: Like empathy and ethical reasoning, cultural and social awareness can support positive relationships among professionals and communities (especially for professionals working with underserved populations).
• Communication in complex systems: Law enforcement, public health, policymaking, advocacy—all of these community-centered fields require professionals to navigate and communicate in nuanced ways with a variety of audiences.

How to Choose the Right Behavioral Science Path for You

Behavioral science, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, forensics—if you are interested in human behavior, which specific area is right for you?

As you consider career paths (and degree programs), reflect on your:

• Values
• Interests
• Goals
• Unique community ties

All of these can help you refine your ideal career path—or find the resources you need to learn more about your options.

No matter your chosen field, Alliant can equip you with the professional skills, knowledge base, and hands-on training you need to find your calling and serve your community.

Ready to Explore Behavioral Science With Purpose?

What can you do with a behavioral science degree? You can study the ways in which people respond, relate, behave, and grow—and then use these observations to promote positive change. Human behavior and community-centered work go hand-in-hand.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore degree options from Alliant International University. Request information to learn more about our academic tracks, career outcomes, and more.

Sources:

1. Altieri, et. al. “Harnessing the Power of Behavioral Science to Improve Health.” Bulletin of the World Health Organization. November 1, 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8542273/. Accessed June 30, 2025.
2. “Blueprint for the Use of Social and Behavioral Science to Advance Evidence-Based Policymaking.” US National Science and Technology Council. May 2024. https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Blueprint-for-the-Use-of-Social-and-Behavioral-Science-to-Advance-Evidence-Based-Policymaking.pdf. Accessed June 30, 2025. 

The content of this page is only for informational purposes and is not intended, expressly or by implication, as a guarantee of employment or salary, which vary based on many factors including but not limited to education, credentials, and experience. Alliant International University explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about the accuracy of the information provided by any prospective employer or any other website. Salary information available on the internet may not reflect the typical experience of Alliant graduates. Alliant does not guarantee that any graduate will be placed with a particular employer or in any specific employment position.