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The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Studies degree from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) is an accelerated, inter-disciplinary, 2-year degree completion program for adult students. This major is for graduates of community colleges with an Associate's degree or equivalent who seek broad interdisciplinary preparation for a career in human services, social work, nonprofit management and other related fields.

Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences need an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science or 66 semester credit hours, applicable to the program based on review and evaluation. The major consists of courses from the Department of Psychology, the College of Communication, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, which offers the majority of courses, including a unique series of Adult Learning Seminars. The courses in the major provide students with multiple perspectives on human behavior, interaction and communications.​

  • Flexible scheduling including online options available
  • Financial Aid, flexible payment options, and special adult student tuition pricing 
  • Acceleration and affordability through transfer credit and prior learning assessment (PLA) credit
  • Opportunities to combine bachelor's and master’s programs and apply graduate courses to both programs
  • Individualized program planning, course selection and advising assistance provided
  • Enhanced career opportunities through professional portfolio development, and career placement services instruction from industry practitioners, and wide-ranging Career Services support
  • Degree granted by DePaul University, with its excellent academic reputation and the opportunity to join its prestigious and extensive alumni network
Program Requirements Quarter Hours
Transfer Credit 98
Major Requirements 94
Total hours required 192

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Analyze and apply knowledge and theories of behavioral sciences.
  • Investigate problems using qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Apply ethical principles in context.
  • Explain the value of social justice in behavioral settings.
  • Utilize principles of reflective practice in behavioral science.
  • Analyze and apply different liberal arts perspectives.

Major Requirements (94 quarter hours)

Understanding Human Behavior (16 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
CMNS 329PERSUASION4
PSY 347SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY4
PSY 363SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND RECOVERY4
DCM 307ANALYZING HUMAN BEHAVIOR4

Life Cycle in Context (8 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
DCM 323THE PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING AND THE AGED4
PSY 302PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH4

 Community and Social Justice (12 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
DCM 304EVOLVING PROFESSIONAL ETHICS4
DCM 325WORK & SOCIETY4
PSY 353INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND CLINICAL SCIENCE 4
or PSY 354 COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY

Methods (14 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
DA 200DATA ANALYTICS4
or DA 233 APPLIED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
DCM 308INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS4
LL 301RESEARCH METHODS6

Effective Workplace Dynamics (12 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
DCM 324EFFECTIVE GROUP AND PERSONAL DYNAMICS4
CMNS 316COMMUNICATION AND DECISION-MAKING IN GROUPS AND TEAMS4
CMNS 353COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE4

Leadership Theories and Skills (12 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
LL 270CRITICAL THINKING4
CCH 299ASSESSING AND MANAGING CONFLICT4
DCM 303LEADERSHIP MODELS FOR STRONG ORGANIZATIONS4

Adult Learning Seminars (20 credit hours)

Course Title Quarter Hours
LL 201REFLECTIVE LEARNING2
or RPL 101 PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
DCM 314LEARNING AND TRANSFORMATION2
DCM 316WORK IN A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT2
DCM 317ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS2
DCM 318SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE PROFESSIONS2
DCM 319CREATIVITY AND INNOVATIVE THINKING2
FA 199CAREER ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING2
LL 303CAPSTONE PROJECT6