Do you have an interest in human behavior and a passion for helping people improve their quality of life? Or perhaps you have a bachelor's degree in psychology and are looking for more advanced skills to build on that foundation.
Behavioral science, or behaviorism, is a multidisciplinary field that draws from psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and even artificial intelligence (AI) to explore why people behave the way they do and how to help them modify their behavior to reach their unique goals.
We've used our ranking methodology, which involves cost, accreditation, and student outcomes, to assemble a list of the best master's in behavioral science programs.
Master's in Behavioral Science Highlights
Graduates of master's in behavioral science programs can qualify for opportunities in counseling, social work, research, market analysis, and policy development.
You can expect to spend two years in your master's in behavioral science program, although accelerated options can cut this time in half.
Online programs cost around $12,000 per year without financial aid and around $11,000 per year with financial aid.
Start Your Master's in Behavioral Psychology Journey Today
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Accredited Master's in Behavioral Science Programs
Why You Should Get a Master's in Behavioral Science
Learn Conveniently Online: Many master's in behavioral science programs offer online programs that offer flexibility for busy adults.
Learn New Skills: Master's programs in behavioral science can give you solid analytical, communication, collaboration, research, and project management skills, preparing you to address complex challenges.
Discover Diverse Career Paths: Once you earn your master's degree, you can work in counseling, human resources, public health, social and community management, and even market analysis, to name a few.
Pursue Leadership Opportunities: This advanced degree can lead to leadership opportunities with more responsibilities and higher salaries, allowing you to make positive impacts in the organizations and communities you serve.
Benefits of Getting a Master's Online
97% of online master's students and graduates surveyed for the BestColleges Online Education Trends Reporttold us they would recommend online education to others.
Nearly 80% of online master's students and graduates tell us that an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
Our report found that 93% of all students say their online degree has or will have a positive return on investment.
In the same report, nearly all (97%) of prospective online students, currently enrolled online students, and online program graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
Curious what courses you'll take online? Check out our master's in behavioral psychology program guide.
How to Choose the Best Master's in Behavioral Science Program for You
Carefully consider the factors that will influence your academic and professional journeys, like program cost, length, and accreditation. Learn about these factors below.
How Much Does a Master's in Behavioral Science Cost?
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$12,052
Avg. Net Price
$11,050
In-Person
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$16,296
Avg. Net Price
$13,475
Source: NCES PowerStats
On average, online master's in behavioral science master's programs cost around $12,000 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Keep in mind that these programs take around two years to complete. So, unless you enroll in an accelerated program, you may pay around $24,000 for your master's degree.
Fortunately, financial aid, including grants and scholarships, can reduce this cost. On average, students with financial aid paid around $11,000 per year or around $22,000 total for their master's in behavioral science degrees. You can fill out the FAFSA each year you're in school to get financial aid.
Aside from financial aid, you can potentially reduce the cost of tuition by asking for tuition reimbursement or assistance from your employer, transferring credits, or pursuing credit for life and work experience.
Find Financial Aid for Your Master's Degree
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's in Behavioral Science?
Typical # of Credits
60-90 Credits
Typical Program Length
2 Years
In your master's in behavioral science program, you can expect to complete between 60 and 90 credits over two years.
Most accelerated programs are designed for those who want to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously.
However, some schools, such as Rollins College, let you earn your master's degree in behavioral science in one year.
Accreditation for an Online Master's in Behavioral Science
While researching online master's in behavioral science programs, look for programmatic accreditation from the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs(CACREP), the Association for Behavior Analysis International(ABAI), and the American Psychological Association (APA).
Unfortunately, the APA doesn't accredit online programs. However, the APA, like the ABAI and the CACREP, ensures that master's in behavioral science programs meet rigorous standards for quality education. Quality education consists of adequate faculty, curricula, and student outcomes.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Behavioral Science?
With a master's in behavioral science, you can pursue roles in mental health and social services, such as a mental health and substance use counselor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earn just under $60,000 per year or nearly $29 per hour.
Other relevant roles include social workers, who earned a median annual salary of around $61,000 as of May 2024. Marriage and family therapists, another option for master's in behavioral science graduates, earned a median annual salary of $64,000 in 2024, according to the BLS.
Behavioral science is a growing field, with the BLS projecting the number of roles in this field growing by 6%-17% from 2024-2034, much faster than average for all occupations.
Learn More About Psychology Jobs
Is a Master's in Behavioral Psychology Worth It?
Before you enroll in an online master's in behavior science program, carefully weigh factors like academic interests, career goals, flexibility, and jobs and potential salaries you can get after you graduate.
Plenty of online programs offer flexibility and convenience for working adults. And once you graduate, you'll be eligible for a variety of roles, like counselor, health policy analyst, or market research analyst. Median annual salaries for these roles range from $59,000 to just under $80,000 per year, per the BLS.
Some drawbacks you might consider include high tuition rates and the reality that some positions require licensure. Licensure requirements can be rigorous, requiring hundreds of hours of field work, and can vary between states.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Behavioral Science Programs
Behavioral science takes a broad, interdisciplinary approach to the study of human behavior. Blending the social sciences with neuroscience, behavioral science applies anthropology, science, sociology, and psychology to understand human behavior in various environments, including business.
Behavioral psychology, or behaviorism, is a field of psychology that operates on the belief that environments shape human behavior. Behaviorists work with clients to understand and modify unwanted behaviors through conditioning and reinforcement.