Behavioral Health Degrees: Master's, PhD & Online Course Info

About this article
What will you learn in a behavioral health graduate program? Read about degree requirements, the pros and cons of a master's and PhD and potential careers
  • At a Glance
  • Master's
  • PhD

Studying Behavioral Health: Degrees at a Glance

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Behavioral health is the study of normal and abnormal behavior. Behavioral health programs are often linked with public health and analyze how factors such as neurology, environment, society and mental health affect human behavior. Areas within behavioral health include social work, sociology, psychology and neurology. Individuals with undergraduate degrees in these areas may benefit from a master's degree in behavioral health.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the rate of employment for behavioral health counselors employed in residential facilities is projected to increase by 44% from 2010-2020. Based on BLS data, the need for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected to increase by 27% from 2010-2020.

Master's Doctorate
Who is this degree for? Counselors and therapists who want to pursue an additional degree -Individuals who want to be professors
-Individuals seeking to pursue research in behavioral health
-Individuals seeking to change public policy in the field of public health
Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) -Epidemiologist ($70,000)*
-Medical and health manager ($96,000)*
-Social and community service managers ($63,000)*
--Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors ($41,000)*
-Marriage and family therapists ($49,000)*
-Mental health counselors ($43,000)*
- University professor ($74,000)*
Time to Completion 1-2 years full-time 3-5 years after the master's
Prerequisites Bachelor's degree Master's degree in related field
Online Availability Yes None found at this time

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).

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  • At a Glance
  • Master's
  • PhD

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • MS in Psychology
      • Master: Psychology/General Psychology
      • MS in Psychology - Forensic Psychology
      • MS in Psychology - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • Master: Psychology/Addictions
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MS: Human Performance: Clinical
      • MA: Applied Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • MA: Medical Sciences: Biopsychology
      • MA: Pastoral Counseling: Addictions & Recovery
      • PHD: Psychology: Theology
      • MA: Applied Psychology: Public Mental Health
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Colorado Christian University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - On Site Curriculum
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Substance Use Disorders
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Health Psychology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • MS in Psychology: Industrial & Organizational Psychology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Life Coaching
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Psychology
  • Campus and Online Programs
    6. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
      • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.A. Psychology
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
      • M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: ARP Track
  • San Francisco, CA

    San Francisco State University

  • Online Programs Available
    8. National University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • MAPsy - General Psychology
      • Master of Science in Health Psychology
      • Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
      • Med - Social Emotional Learning
      • Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology

Featured Schools

Purdue Global

  • Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • MS in Psychology
  • Master: Psychology/General Psychology

Which subject are you interested in?

Liberty University

  • MS: Human Performance: Clinical
  • MA: Applied Psychology: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • MA: Medical Sciences: Biopsychology

What is your highest level of education?

Colorado Christian University

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - On Site Curriculum
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Substance Use Disorders

What is your highest level of education completed?

Grand Canyon University

  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Health Psychology
  • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Masters in Psychology

Which subject are you interested in?

The Chicago School

  • M.S. Applied Behavior Analysis
  • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • M.A. Psychology

What is your highest level of education completed?

National University

  • Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • MAPsy - General Psychology
  • Master of Science in Health Psychology

What is your highest level of education?