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.

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 Show expanded career information for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Healthcare Social Workers

$60,790 Show expanded career information for Healthcare Social Workers

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

$112,690 Show expanded career information for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

Marriage and Family Therapists

$58,360 Show expanded career information for Marriage and Family Therapists

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$43,720 Show expanded career information for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Mental Health Counselors

$50,460 Show expanded career information for Mental Health Counselors

Physician Assistants

$121,490 Show expanded career information for Physician Assistants

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

$56,120 Show expanded career information for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Psychiatric Technicians

$35,370 Show expanded career information for Psychiatric Technicians

Psychiatrists

$293,810 Show expanded career information for Psychiatrists

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

$77,770 Show expanded career information for Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

School Psychologists

$76,870 Show expanded career information for School Psychologists

Social and Human Service Assistants

$39,460 Show expanded career information for Social and Human Service Assistants

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

$50,460 Show expanded career information for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

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
Part-time

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	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		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	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or No requisites or No requisites	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	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	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.	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	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites or No requisites	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	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	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS150, BHS155, and BHS160, and permission of Department or Division.			1
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area.	HU	3
PSY230	Introduction to Statistics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PSY101 and eligibility for MAT14+ or higher as indicated by appropriate district mathematics placement) or permission of Instructor.		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	Credits
BHS300	Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PSY230, or permission of Instructor.	4
BHS310	Fundamentals of Family Systems Counseling	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS205, or permission of Instructor or Department.	3
BHS320	Behavioral Development Across the Lifespan	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS262 or BHS272 or BHS275, or permission of Instructor.	3
BHS340	Psychopathology Across Cultures	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BHS150 and BHS185), or permission of Instructor.	3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
BHS385	Multicultural Approaches to Behavioral Health Care	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS185, or permission of Instructor.	3
BHS400	Biological and Environmental Bases of Behavior	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO160, or permission of Instructor.	3
BHS410	Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BHS210 and BHS340), or permission of Instructor.	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	Credits
BHS420	Relational Approach to Trauma	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS175, or permission of Instructor or Department.	3
BHS430	Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BHS205 and BHS320), or permission of Instructor or Department.	3
BHS490	Advanced Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Social Services	Prerequisites: AAS in Behavioral Health Sciences or permission of Instructor.	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	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	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		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	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		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	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+. or No requisites or No requisites	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	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites or No requisites	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	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	Area	Credits
BHS190	Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Human Services	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS150, BHS155, and BHS160, and permission of Department or Division.		1
GE	General Elective			3
PSY230	Introduction to Statistics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (PSY101 and eligibility for MAT14+ or higher as indicated by appropriate district mathematics placement) or permission of Instructor.	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	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in PSY230, or permission of Instructor.			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	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS205, or permission of Instructor or Department.			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	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS262 or BHS272 or BHS275, or permission of Instructor.			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	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BHS150 and BHS185), or permission of Instructor.			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	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS185, or permission of Instructor.			3
BHS400	Biological and Environmental Bases of Behavior	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO160, or permission of Instructor.			3

Term 17

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 17
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
BHS410	Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BHS210 and BHS340), or permission of Instructor.	3
BHS420	Relational Approach to Trauma	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BHS175, or permission of Instructor or Department.	3
GE	General Elective		3

Term 18

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 18
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
BHS430	Concepts and Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BHS205 and BHS320), or permission of Instructor or Department.	3
BHS490	Advanced Supervised Practice in Behavioral Health and Social Services	Prerequisites: AAS in Behavioral Health Sciences or permission of Instructor.	2
GE	General Elective		2

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	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.