Behavioral Science Pathway Program

Are you an undergraduate student interested in pursuing a graduate degree in behavioral science? Our new pathway program allows you to earn credits towards your MS as an undergrad, and in some cases earn your graduate degree faster.

The Behavioral Science Pathway leads to entry into three possible graduate programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Applied Behavior Analysis. Through this opportunity, you will enroll as a Master of Science student in the School of Health Sciences (SHS) of Touro University. Learn more about eligibility and our different programs below.

A Brief Overview of the Pathway Program

As an undergraduate student enrolled in the pathway program, you can choose to take graduate courses towards any of the three behavioral science MS degrees.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS

I-O Psychology

Applied Behavior Analysis MS

Students interested in enrolling in a behavioral science MS program often pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Although this is the most common and recommended path, you actually don’t need to major in any specific field to enter the pathway program. As long as you can fulfill the necessary prerequisites listed below for the program you’re interested in, you’re eligible to apply.

After you are approved to enter the pathway program, you’ll be able to enroll in a maximum of four graduate-level courses specific to the MS degree you want to pursue. As long as you maintain your GPA and other program requirements, you can transition seamlessly into the MS program after earning your bachelor’s degree. 

Why You Should Consider the Pathway Program

• Get a head start on your master’s degree while an undergraduate student
• See if you're interested in a graduate program while you are an undergraduate
• Pay for your graduate courses at the less expensive undergraduate rate
• No application fee when applying for the graduate program
• Make your graduate load easier, and in some cases, finish your Master’s degree in fewer semesters

Eligibility to Enter the Pathway Program

Before applying to enter the pathway program, you will need to meet the following requirements.

1. Complete at least 60 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the specific required courses mentioned below.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3.
3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.3 (grade B+ or higher) in the following required/recommended undergraduate courses, based on your program of choice:

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Abnormal Psychology (LPSN 335 / PSYN 335 / GPSN 335) - required
Developmental Psychology (LPSN 201 / PSYN 201/ GPSN 201) - required
Introduction to Psychology/General Survey of Psychology (LPSN 101 / PSYN 101/ GPSN 110) - required
Statistics (LMAN 261 / MATN 261/ GSMN 261) - required
Theories of Learning (LPSN 210 / PSYN 210 / GPSN 210) - recommended

MS in Industrial Organizational Psychology

Statistics (LMAN 261 / MATN 261/ GSMN 261) - required
Experimental Psychology (LPSN 301/ PSYN 301/ GPSN 301) or a similar research course - recommended
Industrial Psychology (LPSN 221 / PSYN 221 / GPSN 221) - recommended
Introduction to Psychology/General Survey of Psychology (LPSN 101 / PSYN 101/ GPSN 110) - recommended

MS in Applied Behavior Analysis

Abnormal Psychology (LPSN 335 / PSYN 335 / GPSN 335) - required pre- or co-requisite
Developmental Psychology (LPSN 201 / PSYN 201/ GPSN 201) - required pre- or co-requisite
Introduction to Psychology/General Survey of Psychology (LPSN 101 / PSYN 101/ GPSN 110) - required
Statistics (LMAN 261 / MATN 261/ GSMN 261) - required
Theories of Learning (LPSN 210 / PSYN 210 / GPSN 210) - required
Experimental Psychology (LPSN 301/ PSYN 301/ GPSN 301) or a similar research course - recommended

Be sure to speak with your academic advisor if you need assistance fitting the required prerequisites into your course load.

Application Materials

After completing the 60 credits mentioned above, maintaining your GPA, and approval from your department chair, you can submit your application materials to your appropriate behavioral science program chair. No GRE or GMAT scores are required to apply. Include the following in your application to the pathway program:

1. A current resume
2. A 500-word essay/personal statement telling us why you’ve decided to pursue graduate studies and your career aspirations
3. A letter of recommendation from college instructor

Before beginning the pathway program, you’ll need an interview and approval from the undergraduate chair or deputy chair of your major, as well as the Behavioral Science Program director and/or chair.

Program Requirements & Maintenance

During the program, you can enroll in a maximum of 4 graduate-level courses (up to 12 credits), with a limit of two courses per semester. You’ll pay the same tuition rate for these graduate courses as your undergraduate courses.

To meet the minimum academic performance standards, you’ll need to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3, a minimum of B+ on the graduate courses, and a passing score on a Department of Behavioral Science (DBS) professional conduct performance evaluation.

Specific Pathway Course Options for Each MS Degree

You can choose from the following courses in your respective program, and they will apply to both your undergraduate and MS degree. Some might fulfill major elective credits, and some general elective credits.

If you’re an undergraduate psychology student, the undergraduate degree requires 4 psychology electives in addition to the psychology core requirements. Many of the graduate-level behavioral science courses are permitted to fulfill two of the psychology electives toward your major, which allows you to maximize the benefit of taking the graduate courses. This is especially important because some students do not have the time or flexibility for additional electives during their undergraduate study.

Overview of the Behavioral Science MS Programs

Explore our three MS degree options in behavioral science. For all of these master’s degrees, an undergraduate degree in psychology is recommended. An undergraduate student interested in ABA might also opt to take some education courses, and for a degree in I-O Psychology, it is helpful to take some business courses.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counselors provide sensitive and structured support to individuals, families, and groups to help them work through mental health challenges, improve wellness, and move towards career goals. In this graduate program, you'll learn the counseling theory and clinical training you need to become a licensed professional counselor. After licensure, you can work in hospitals, schools, mental health centers, government agencies, and even open your own private practice.

MS Degree Completion - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Full-time graduate students usually take 3 or at maximum 4 courses per semester to complete their MS Degree. The CMHC degree can be completed in as little as 5 semesters or 2 years, and courses in the CMHC degree program must be taken in a specific sequence. After completing four courses in the Pathway program, you will take fifteen classes (48 credits) in total to complete the MS in CMHC. You will also be required to pass two comprehensive exams and to complete an NYS approved seminar in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting.

Visit the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program on SHS for a full list of required courses and GPA requirements for successful completion of the CMHC degree.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

I-O psychologists use research and theory to help management and employees work more efficiently together, and ensure overall employee satisfaction. With the working knowledge gained from this program, you’ll be skilled at reaching important corporate goals around team building, motivation and effective leadership. Although industrial psychologists are normally seen working in-house or as consultants for major corporations, there are also opportunities to work in government, healthcare and other fields.

MS Degree Completion - I-O Psychology

Full-time graduate students usually take 2 or at maximum 3 courses per semester to complete their MS Degree. The MS in I-O Psychology degree can be completed in as little as 4 semesters or 1.5 years (with summer classes), and courses in the I-O program can be taken in any sequence. After completing four courses in the Pathway program, you will take eight classes (24 credits) in total to complete the MS in I-O Psychology.

Visit the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program on SHS for a full list of required courses and GPA requirements for successful completion of the I-O degree.

Applied Behavior Analysis

We train behavior analysts who work with individuals diagnosed with autism, autism spectrum, or related disorders. As a behavior analyst, and a graduate of our program, you will be well-prepared to provide individualized, intensive therapy using positive reinforcement to improve learning. While behavior analysis is primarily used to improve academic learning in children, you will also learn how to use these techniques to improve the life skills of adolescents and adults.

MS Degree Completion - Applied Behavior Analysis

Full-time graduate students usually take 3 or at maximum 4 courses per semester to complete their MS Degree. The MS in ABA degree can be completed in as little as 4 semesters or 2 years, and courses in the ABA degree program can be taken in any sequence. After completing four courses in the Pathway program, you will take nine classes (25 credits) in total to complete the MS in ABA.

Visit the Applied Behavior Analysis program on SHS for a full list of required courses and GPA requirements for successful completion of the ABA degree.