Behavioral Sciences & Leadership

Understanding Yourself and the World Around You

Your success in any field will depend largely on your understanding of yourself, others, and how teams work together. The Behavioral Sciences major lays the foundation for this understanding and allows cadets the opportunity to map a path of study through a diverse menu of courses aligned with their professional and educational goals.

The concentrations detailed below support Air Force-relevant competencies. Cadets may choose from one or more of the concentrations or design their own course of study in the major with the advice of an academic advisor. Recommended courses for each concentration can be obtained by contacting the department’s Advisor-in-Charge.

POTENTIAL JOB ASSIGNMENTS

Within the Air Force

14F – Military Information Support Operations Officer
35P – Public Affairs
62EXI – Developmental Engineer, Human Factors
63A – Acquisitions
64P – Contracting

Outside the Air Force

Human Resources Advisor
Public Relations
Victim’s Advocate
Caseworker (Child Welfare/Placement, Disability Policy)
Technician (Research, Psychiatric, Correctional Treatment)

Most non-rated AFSCs are available to cadets with a Behavioral Sciences Degree. All rated AFSCs are available to cadets who are medically qualified.

SAMPLE COURSES

Advanced Research Methods and Statistical Tools
Sociology of Violence and War
Class, Race and Gender
Leading Team and Organizational Change
Engineering Psychology

SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCE

4TH CLASS YEAR (FRESHMAN)	3RD CLASS YEAR (SOPHOMORE)	2ND CLASS YEAR (JUNIOR)	1ST CLASS YEAR (SENIOR)
Beh Sci 110 Chem 100 Com Sci 110 English 111 Engr 101 For Lang 1 For Lang 2 History 100 Math 141 Math 142 Physics 110	Astro Engr 310 Beh Sci 231 Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course Chem 200 Econ 201 English 211 Engr Mech 220 Law 220 MSS 200 Physics 215 Pol Sci 211	Aero Engr 315 Beh Sci 310 Beh Sci 332 Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course Biology 315 ECE 315 History 300 Philos 310	Academy Opt Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course Beh Sci Course English 411 Mgt 400 MSS 415/416 S/T Energy Sys Opt Soc Sci 412

For full program requirements and course descriptions, download the current Curriculum Handbook.

DEGREE CONCENTRATIONS

Clinical/Counseling Psychology Concentration: Integrates principles of the biological, psychological and sociocultural theories of human behavior to better understand and explain healthy functioning and development while also exploring the processes and strategies for alleviating dysfunction or distress. The course work for this concentration focuses on the cognitive, biological, psychological, social and behavioral aspects of human functioning across the lifespan. For cadets who want to better understand how to assist subordinates with the stresses and challenges of life in the Air Force or for cadets wanting to pursue graduate study in clinical or counseling psychology or social work.

Experimental Psychology Concentration: This concentration explores the breadth of the scientific roots of our discipline. Coursework emphasizes the rigorous implementation of the scientific method, especially those perspectives that are foundational to the laboratory study of psychology (e.g., sensation and perception, learning and cognition, and brain and behavior). These topics are the conceptual groundwork for most fields in psychology such as clinical/counseling psychology, social psychology/leadership studies, and human factors. For cadets who want to learn more about the core topics introduced in Beh Sci 110 and as preparation for cadets seeking a graduate degree in most psychology disciplines.

Leadership Concentration: The leadership concentration involves the scientific study of leadership in an organizational context focusing on the integration of theory and practice. The course work challenges cadets to expand the ways in which they understand and address complex issues and problems. Multiple leadership frameworks are engaged both academically and experientially as cadets explore how to lead teams and organizations effectively. For cadets who want to use a range of perspectives and theoretical constructs to analyze, critique, and make decisions about an array of leadership and organizational issues and problems. Cadets can apply the knowledge gained in this concentration to their experience as cadet leaders in the Cadet Wing. This concentration has direct relevance for a career as Air Force officers and as preparation for graduate study in Industrial/Organizational (i.e., Workplace) Psychology.

Sociocultural Concentration: The sociocultural concentration is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Given the complexities and intricacies of societies and the fact that all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious traditions; from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of the common culture. This concentration develops cross-cultural competence and the ability to understand and analyze the cultures, beliefs, values, and institutions of foreign societies. For cadets who want to lead by deepening their understanding of Airmen and American society, who are interested in Influence and Information Operations or who are preparing for graduate work in sociology.

Human Factors Concentration: Human factors is a scientific discipline that is concerned with understanding how humans interact with their environment or a system. The focus is on answering real-world research questions to support the Warfighter. This is accomplished by understanding human capabilities and limitations and using that knowledge to increase safety, satisfaction, and reduce human error. The coursework focuses on human capabilities and limitations in a variety of disciplines including sensation and perception, cognition and decision making, individual differences, communication, physiology, neurophysiology, and ergonomics. For cadets who wish to enter aviation and space-related career fields and prepare for graduate study in human factors or ergonomics.

NOTE: This concentration is not an accredited engineering degree; cadets interested in graduating with a related accredited engineering degree should consider a Systems Engineering degree with a Human Factors emphasis.

Health Profession Concentration: The following health profession concentrations are available for Behavioral Science majors:

Pre-Med
Pre-Nursing
Dental
Physician Assistant
Physical Therapy
Clinical Psychology
Aerospace Physiology

The department will count three health profession courses toward Behavioral Sciences Electives. Biology 210 is a preferred core substitute for the pre-med/nursing, dental, physician assistant, and physical therapy concentrations. Interested cadets should contact the department Advisor-in-Charge and a Health Professions Advising Center (HP AC) advisor, located within the Departments of Chemistry and Biology, for additional registration information.

VALIDATION AND TRANSFER CREDITS

Beh Sci 110 – Intro to Behavioral Sciences for Leaders:

AP Psychology Test = 5
B Psychology Test = 6/7
Grade of “A” in an Intro to Psychology Course taught at an accredited undergraduate level institution. Case-by-case considered; see the Behavioral Sciences 110 Course Director. “A-” or below not considered.

Other courses are available for transfer credit on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Advisor-in-Charge for more details.