Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Sciences
Overview
The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Sciences program at Kentucky State University offers a multidisciplinary approach to understanding human behavior and the law. It prepares you for advanced doctoral studies and opens doors to careers in fields like mental health, government, and private practice.
Through a dynamic curriculum that blends psychology, sociology, and criminology, you’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge research methods, develop robust skills in statistical analysis, and learn to tackle real-world challenges with confidence. The program fosters critical thinking and ethical reasoning by integrating theories from multiple disciplines, equipping you to address complex societal issues.
With the freedom to design your own graduate program, you can focus on two areas of study that align with your passions and career goals, making your education a truly personalized experience. This degree empowers you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s multifaceted work environment, positioning you for success in any professional setting.
Tuition and Fees:
$350
per credit hour
Efficient Completion:
1-4 years*
*depending on transfer credits
and your course load
Financial Aid
Kentucky State University's Office of Financial Aid coordinates federal, state, institutional, and external financial aid programs to ensure equitable and efficient use of available funding.
Our mission is to support and advocate for students, providing guidance on financial assistance to enhance their success in higher education.
Our vision is to remove financial barriers by offering resources with a focus on CARE, DIVERSITY, GUIDANCE, ACCESS, and EFFICIENCY. While financial aid helps cover educational costs, it typically does not fully fund tuition.
Financial Aid Services
FAFSA Help
Reviewing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and resolving any database matches or other criteria for participating in the student aid programs
Eligibility
Assessing eligibility for federal, state, institutional, and other aid awards
Awards Management
Send award notifications and make awards adjustments based on additional resources
or due to enrollment status changes.
Advising
Advising on next step actions for application process, disbursement of aid, and other special circumstances via in-person, telephone, and email contacts.
Outreach
Participation in outreach activities: orientation, financial aid workshops, etc.
Financial Aid is available
We're here to help you through the process! Contact the Financial Aid office for more
information.
Contact KSU Financial Aid
Career Outlook
Individuals who earn a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Sciences unlock a world of dynamic career opportunities that not only promise competitive salaries but also significant job growth in a rapidly evolving landscape. This versatile degree equips graduates with the skills to navigate complex human behaviors and social systems, making them invaluable in a variety of fields such as healthcare, education, and social services. The roles available are as diverse as the disciplines studied, ranging from behavioral analysts who help shape effective interventions, to policy advisors influencing community programs. Each career path not only offers financial rewards but also the profound satisfaction of making a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole. Here are some key roles and their associated data:
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Salary and Job Growth Expectations
Career Opportunities and Salaries:
- Intelligence Analyst: This role involves collecting and evaluating information to predict behaviors and
inform decisions in sectors like national security, law enforcement, and business.
The average mid-level salary is around $86,278, with senior-level positions earning
up to $150,571.
- Business Intelligence Analyst: Bridging intelligence analysis with business operations, these analysts create data-driven strategies. The average salary for mid-level positions is approximately $102,804, increasing to $176,647 for senior roles.
- Information Security Analyst: These professionals protect data and mitigate cyber threats. The median salary is
$111,796 for mid-level positions, and it can rise to $174,973 for senior roles.
- Detective/Criminal Investigator: Working in law enforcement, these professionals solve crimes using various analytical methods. The average salary is similar to intelligence analysts, ranging from $86,278 to $150,571 at higher levels.
- Healthcare Administration: With roles such as health services manager or clinic director, the median salary
is $101,340, with growth projected at 28%. Specific sectors like hospitals offer higher
median salaries of $119,450, while government roles offer around $117,000.
- Psychologists: Those focusing on clinical, counseling, or research psychology can expect a median salary of around $81,040, with a projected growth rate of 6%.
Job Market Dynamics:
Job Growth Expectations
- Healthcare Administration: Projected to grow by 28%, significantly higher than the national average, driven by the increasing demand for healthcare services.
- Information Security Analysts: Expected growth of 1.9%, reflecting the rising need for cybersecurity professionals.
- Psychologists: With a growth rate of 6%, indicating steady demand in mental health services.
Additional Considerations
Graduates often pursue further specialization, which can significantly enhance their career prospects and earning potential. For instance, obtaining specialized training in executive leadership or business intelligence within healthcare can lead to top-tier management positions with salaries well over $100,000.
Flexible Career Paths
The interdisciplinary nature of this degree allows for flexible career paths across various industries, providing ample opportunities for those looking to make impactful contributions to their fields while also benefiting from competitive salaries and job security.
Admissions
Your completed application must include:
- A letter of application with a statement of educational goals and career objectives in the form of a thoughtful, well-written essay of approximately 1,500 words. Your essay should describe your motivation for earning a degree from our program and discuss relevant experiences that have contributed to this goal. The essay will be evaluated for content, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity of the writing rated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory by the program faculty.
- A curriculum vitae or resume of qualifications.
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Copies of all official transcripts must be submitted from the applicant’s undergraduate institution.
- Three letters of reference from professors or employers submitted.
Specific Academic Requirements for Admission to the MA Program in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science:
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Grades of B or higher in undergraduate statistics and research methods.
- Students who do not meet these requirements should expect to enroll in undergraduate research methods or statistics courses to ensure that they have the proper background knowledge to succeed in research methods and statistics at the graduate level.
Exceptions to these requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis.
After review of the completed application, applicants who meet the entry requirements may be granted regular admission status by the program admission committee, which will consist of the program coordinator and two qualified faculty.
Probationary admission status may be granted if students do not meet all the requirements stated above. Probationary students are subject to initial performance requirements more stringent than those imposed upon others. All unsatisfactory requirements must be met before students are granted regular admission to the program.
Admission Process
1
Complete Application
2
Submit Transcripts
3
Discover Funding
4
Enroll in Classes
Major Courses and Requirements
Core Requirements (21 credits)
- Psychology & Law - 3 Credits
- Law & Social Science - 3 Credits
- Intermediate Statistics I - 3 Credits
- Intermediate Statistics II - 3 Credits
- Intermediate Research Methods I - 3 Credits
- Intermediate Research Methods II - 3 Credits
- Diversity & Law - 3 Credits
Electives (12 credits thesis option, 15 credits non-thesis option)
- Theories of Offending & Corrections - 3 Credits
- Psychology of Criminal Behavior - 3 Credits
- Aggression & Violence - 3 Credits
- Assessment & Treatment of Offenders - 3 Credits
- Addiction & Psychopharmacology - 3 Credits
- Principles of Victimology - 3 Credits
- Seminar in Psychology and Law - 3 Credits
- Other Electives - 3 Credits
Thesis and Non-Thesis Curriculum Plans
First Year:
Fall Semester:
- Psychology & Law (3 credits)
- Intermediate Statistics I (3 credits)
- Research Methods I (3 credits)
Spring Semester:
- Law & Social Science (3 credits)
- Intermediate Statistics II (3 credits)
- Research Methods II (3 credits)
Summer Semester:
- Core or Electives (0-9 credits)
Second Year:
Fall Semester:
- Psychology of Criminal Behavior (3 credits)
- Assessment & Treatment of Offenders (3 credits)
- Theories of Offending & Corrections (3 credits)
Spring Semester:
- Aggression & Violence (3 credits)
- Thesis (3-6 credits)
Summer Semester (as needed):
- Comprehensive Exam (3 credits)
First Year:
Fall Semester:
- Psychology & Law (3 credits)
- Intermediate Statistics I (3 credits)
- Research Methods I (3 credits)
Spring Semester:
- Law & Social Science (3 credits)
- Intermediate Statistics II (3 credits)
- Research Methods II (3 credits)
Summer Semester:
- Core or Electives (9 credits)
Second Year:
Fall Semester:
- Theories of Offending & Corrections (3 credits)
- Psychology of Criminal Behavior (3 credits)
- Assessment & Treatment of Offenders (3 credits)
Spring Semester:
- Aggression & Violence (3 credits)
- Comprehensive Exam (3 credits)
- Ethics (3 credits)
Summer Semester (as needed):
- Schedule to take comprehensive exams at the end of the fourth semester by signing up for 1 credit of comps during this fourth and final semester.
- Arrange to take the M.A. comprehensive examinations two months before the anticipated graduation date.