What can I do with a health or behavioral science degree??

Hi all... Well my husband has just started at an online college that caters to military families.. It is free for him and I can get a really good discount if I want to take courses through there. Anyway, I would like to do something involving working with kids with special needs/autism as I have a son with autism and I feel like I have alot of experience in this area.. This college offers behavioral and health science associate's degrees. So what Im wondering is, with one of these degrees, what kinds of jobs would be available to me? I have been looking at speech language pathology and occupational therapy assistant jobs and you need to complete separate programs for these.. But what could I do with just the behavioral or health science AA degree that would not require completing additional programs?? This is all just kind of overwhelming to me and I appreciate any advice. Thanks!!

Jennifer

 

Honesty, I don't think you would be able to much of anything with an AA in behavioral and health sciences. I'm not trying to sound negative but I truly can't think of a think that degree would qualify you for as a stand-alone degree.

Like you mentioned, however, it would probably be a good foundation for a BS in occupational therapy or some other medical profession. That's probably what the degree was designed for.

 

Thanks AV, makes sense

 

Spend some time at the Department of Labor Occupational Handbook site before starting any program. You'll be able to do research into various trades, professions, occupations, etc and compare the education/salary for each. Above all else, it isn't marketing, so you shouldn't find the bias that you'll get in glossy college brochures and web sites.

You are smart to ask the question BEFORE starting the process. Also, go to www.salary.com and type in your zip code with the job title you want to investigate to get a targeted salary range. Remember, that the degree title isn't the same as the job title. Don't enroll anywhere until you do your homework!

All the best, it sounds like an awesome program to take advantage of- and thank you to your husband for serving!

 

Thanks jennifer!

 

If you have a behavioral science degree on the Associates level or Bachelors level you can get a position in a mental health clinic or the psychiatric unit at a hospital or treatment center. In terms of the Human Resources matrix label you look for positions called " Mental Health Technician." These positions are basically comprised of being a glorified "go-pher" for all the other licensed folks who work there. You work as a helping hand in what is needed there assisting the higher-ups. It is good experience if you are going further and towards licensure on the Masters level (Prof. Counselor, Family Therapist, Lic. Social Worker, etc.) or doctoral level (Clinical Psych). You also get paid for your work.

 

Here is a search for Mental Health Technician with an AA degree from indeed.com

I tried to filter out all the work from home scammers and part-time employment and list just jobs from employers (no recruiters).

You are not going to make much money, like Blackbird says you will be a support person. Which means administrative assistant type stuff. I have done a lot of work as an admin assistant and you make crap for money. I understand you are looking at this field because you want to "help" people and perhaps you do not care how much of a wage you earn.

You might think about getting your AA in Dental Hygiene or Nursing if you want to help people and actually make some decent money.

Good luck.

 

HI,

I am set to graduate next June (or March, if I really start busting my hump) with an online B.S. in Behavioral Science from Bellevue University. I can tell you that this degree is oriented toward training students to become Human Services professionals. I have listed the courses from my major, and as you can see, the focus is on psychology, behavioral analysis and counseling.

HS 311 Introduction to Human Services Fields

HS 330 Introduction to Applied Behavior
Analysis

HS 301 Life Vision Portfolio

HS 325 Sociological Perspectives for Human
Services

HS 312 Counseling Microskills for HS
Professionals

HS 310 Applied Psychology

HS 335 Introduction to Counseling Theories

HS 401 Applied Experiences and Projects

HS 320 Research and Data Analysis

HS 340 Treatment Strategies


While I am throughly enjoying the course work (I just started the last course today), I am probably one of the few individuals in my cohort who is not planning a future (or expanding their current) career in Human Services. However, if you're interested in this line of work, then this might be a good program/career for you.

Best of luck,