Master’s in Behavioral Psychology Program Guide

If you’re curious about the human mind and want a better understanding of why people are the way they are, behavioral psychology may be a good career path for you. Many careers in psychology, counseling, and therapy require professionals to earn a master’s degree. The best master’s in behavioral psychology programs can help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to understand human behavior and advance your career.Read on to learn about some of the best behavioral psychology programs and discover if the field is right for you.

In short, master’s programs in behavioral psychology teach students how to analyze behavior and treat behavioral conditions. Students interested in helping people manage behavioral disorders are best suited to these degree programs. You should also feel comfortable working with a wide range of clients.

While an undergraduate education may familiarize you with psychology concepts, master’s-level programs offer more granular instruction. These programs also often include hands-on learning experiences and the opportunity to conduct research. It typically takes two years to earn a master’s degree as a full-time student. Earning a master’s degree in behavioral psychology will allow you to pursue jobs in fields like psychology, therapy, and counseling. With additional education, you may also enter academia to conduct more research related to behavioral psychology.

Behavioral psychology master’s programs cover a range of topics, with a focus on analyzing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral issues.

There are a handful of concentrations available to master’s students, although these vary by institution. Some of those concentrations include:

There are also some common courses most behavioral psychology master’s students take. Programs tend to be front-loaded with coursework before the research phase of your studies.

Master’s programs, regardless of the subject, are rigorous and leave students with specialized knowledge in different fields. They are also often highly competitive to get into.

Most master’s programs in the U.S. typically take two years to complete. Some master’s in behavioral psychology programs can be completed in about 18 months if you are comfortable taking heavy course loads each semester. Master’s in psychology programs typically require students to earn approximately 40 credits to graduate.

Master of science (MS) behavioral psychology programs may have varied application requirements. Still, there are a handful of common components most graduate schools require in an application, including:

Many programs may also require you to take a standardized test like the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). Some programs waive this requirement depending on your undergraduate grade point average (GPA), while others have ditched this requirement altogether in recent years.

Generally, you’ll need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be accepted into most graduate schools.

Master’s programs typically cost $50,000-$85,000 over two years. The median cost for a fully online degree program is roughly $20,387 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Median prices for online-only programs are typically more than 30% cheaper than in-person and hybrid programs.Master’s degrees often come with high debt loads, with an average of $64,400 in graduate student loan debt. Financial aid for graduate students may help lighten this load.

A master’s degree in behavioral psychology opens many career doors in fields including psychology, counseling, and therapy.

After earning a master’s degree in behavioral psychology, you’ll be prepared to apply for many social science roles. These include clinical psychologist, counselor, and behavioral therapist. It’s worth noting that these careers have their own licensing requirements, so you may have to earn additional qualifications even after earning your degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of psychologists will grow by 7% between 2023-2033. That’s faster than all occupations (4%) and all social science professions (6%).

Behavioral psychology careers tend to be high-paying, especially occupations that require a master’s degree. According to the BLS, counselors made a median of $53,710 per year in 2023. Psychologists as a whole boasted a median annual salary of $92,740 per year, which is about double the median salary for all U.S. occupations.

Continuing education is common for aspiring psychologists after they earn a master’s degree in behavioral psychology. That’s because most states require you to hold a doctorate in psychology to become a licensed clinical psychologist. A career in academia also requires a doctoral degree. Many counseling or therapy jobs only require a master’s degree. Still, depending on your state, you may need to earn a credential to practice as a licensed counselor or therapist, which may include a career-specific exam. For example, to become a licensed marriage and family therapist, you’ll need to pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB) Examination.