Behavioral Sciences

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Behavioral Sciences provides students with an advanced study of human behavior and the skills necessary to develop and implement specialized and comprehensive behavioral health and social services to individuals and families dealing with mental illness, substance use disorders and addiction, trauma, developmental disabilities, comorbid medical conditions, and challenging behaviors.

The Bachelor of Science degree is intended to meet the academic requirements for the Registered Behavior Technician and other micro-certifications. It is also intended to meet the qualifications for the Licensed Substance Abuse Technician through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Foundations of Behavioral Sciences and Advanced Behavioral Sciences, as well as the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Behavioral Sciences are also available and embedded within this degree.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Academic Plan
Behavioral Sciences (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
9300
Total credits required
120
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

The following courses will be considered an equivalent substitute if successfully completed by a student in a previous associate degree or certificate program before entering the bachelor’s degree program. These substitutions apply only to this degree, 9300, and should not be taken in lieu of the required BHS, Behavioral Health Services, course.

ASD102 for BHS165

ASD120 for BHS160

ASD161 for BHS170

ASD250 for BHS215

CAP120 for BHS205

CAP220 for BHS185

CAP240 for BHS165

PSY132 for BHS185

SWU130 for BHS210

SWU171 for BHS150

SWU183 for BHS160

Course credits for the identified substitutes may vary, requiring a student to complete additional general elective coursework to achieve the degree minimum of 120 semester credits.

What You'll Learn
  • Compose academic and professional materials as well as clinical documentation utilizing advanced writing and communication skills.
  • Develop therapeutic alliances utilizing interpersonal, communication, critical thinking, and microcounseling skills.
  • Synthesize theories, knowledge, and skills through a critical examination of literature and research to address diverse behavioral health needs using evidence-based practice.
  • Develop a code of ethics and behavior consistent with legal and professional standards and requirements.
  • Evaluate patients’ diverse needs through an understanding of health, wellness, and psychopathology within and across cultures.
  • Collaborate on multidisciplinary teams to meet individual, family, and community needs in a variety of behavioral health and social service settings.
  • Compare and contrast approaches to trauma and recovery with an emphasis on fostering health, wellness, and resilience.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
$54,280
Healthcare Social Workers
$60,790
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
$112,690
Marriage and Family Therapists
$58,360
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
$43,720
Mental Health Counselors
$50,460
Physician Assistants
$121,490
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
$56,120
Psychiatric Technicians
$35,370
Psychiatrists
$293,810
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
$77,770
School Psychologists
$76,870
Social and Human Service Assistants
$39,460
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
$50,460

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

  • Counseling Psychologists
  • Counselors, All Other
  • Psychologists, All Other

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS150 Introduction to Behavioral Health and Social Services Critical course Gateway course H, SB 3
BHS155 Professional Resiliency and Well-Being Critical course SB 3
BHS160 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling Services Critical course 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142 or
MAT145 or
MAT146		 College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review OR Higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA or MA or MA or MA or MA 3–6
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS165 Applied Therapeutic Communication Skills 3
BHS170 Case Management and Clinical Documentation 3
BHS175 Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Treatment SB 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS180 Child, Family, and Adult Advocacy 3
BHS185 Cultural Competence in Behavioral Health C 3
BHS205 Introduction to Individual Counseling Theories 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230 or
COM263		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication or Elements of Intercultural Communication Recommend COM225 SB or SB or L or SB or C, G, SB 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area. L 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS210 Addictions, Substance Use Disorders, and Recovery SB 3
BHS215 Introduction to Group Therapy 3
BIO160 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology SQ 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area.
Recommend HCR210. 		HU 3
GE General Elective 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS190 Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Human Services 1
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area. HU 3
PSY230 Introduction to Statistics CS 3
RE Restricted Elective 3
SQ or SG Any approved general education course in the Natural Sciences (Quantitative) [SQ] area or the Natural Sciences (General) [SG] area 4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS300 Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice 4
BHS310 Fundamentals of Family Systems Counseling 3
BHS320 Behavioral Development Across the Lifespan 3
BHS340 Psychopathology Across Cultures 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS385 Multicultural Approaches to Behavioral Health Care 3
BHS400 Biological and Environmental Bases of Behavior 3
BHS410 Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders 3
GE General Elective 3
GE General Elective 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS420 Relational Approach to Trauma 3
BHS430 Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis 3
BHS490 Advanced Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Social Services 2
GE General Elective 3
GE General Elective 3
GE General Elective 2

Restricted Electives

Complete six (6) credits from the following prefixes. Selected courses will not apply in both Required Courses and Restricted Electives areas. Students should consult with their college’s Program Director or their faculty or academic advisor to select courses that best align with academic and professional goals.
A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ASD+++ Any ASD Addictions and Substance Use Disorders course(s) 3
BHS+++ Any BHS Behavioral Health Services Technology course(s) 3
PSY+++ Any PSY Psychology course(s) 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS150 Introduction to Behavioral Health and Social Services Critical course Gateway course H, SB 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS155 Professional Resiliency and Well-Being Critical course SB 3
BHS160 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling Services Critical course 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS165 Applied Therapeutic Communication Skills 3
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142 or
MAT145 or
MAT146		 College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review OR Higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA or MA or MA or MA or MA 3–6

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS170 Case Management and Clinical Documentation 3
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS175 Trauma-Informed Care and Recovery Treatment SB 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230 or
COM263		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication or Elements of Intercultural Communication Recommend COM225 SB or SB or L or SB or C, G, SB 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS180 Child, Family, and Adult Advocacy 3
BHS185 Cultural Competence in Behavioral Health C 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS205 Introduction to Individual Counseling Theories 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS210 Addictions, Substance Use Disorders, and Recovery SB 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry Any approved general education course in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area. L 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS215 Introduction to Group Therapy 3
BIO160 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology SQ 4

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
GE General Elective 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area.
Recommend HCR210. 		HU 3

Term 11

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 11
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS190 Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Human Services 1
GE General Elective 3
PSY230 Introduction to Statistics CS 3

Term 12

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 12
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS300 Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice 4
GE General Elective 3

Term 13

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 13
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS310 Fundamentals of Family Systems Counseling 3
SQ or SG Any approved general education course in the Natural Sciences (Quantitative) [SQ] area or the Natural Sciences (General) [SG] area 4

Term 14

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 14
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS320 Behavioral Development Across the Lifespan 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area. HU 3

Term 15

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 15
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS340 Psychopathology Across Cultures 3
GE General Elective 3

Term 16

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 16
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS385 Multicultural Approaches to Behavioral Health Care 3
BHS400 Biological and Environmental Bases of Behavior 3

Term 17

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 17
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS410 Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders 3
BHS420 Relational Approach to Trauma 3
GE General Elective 3

Term 18

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 18
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BHS430 Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis 3
BHS490 Advanced Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Social Services 2
GE General Elective 2

Restricted Electives

Complete six (6) credits from the following prefixes. Selected courses will not apply in both Required Courses and Restricted Electives areas. Students should consult with their college’s Program Director or their faculty or academic advisor to select courses that best align with academic and professional goals.
A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ASD+++ Any ASD Addictions and Substance Use Disorders course(s) 3
BHS+++ Any BHS Behavioral Health Services Technology course(s) 3
PSY+++ Any PSY Psychology course(s) 3

General Electives

Select courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 120 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • C = Cultural Diversity in the US
  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • G = Global Awareness
  • H = Historical Awareness
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=175103).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.