Behavioral Science

The Master of Behavioral Science program at Western Colorado University is designed to prepare students for impactful careers in the behavioral and social sciences, with a focus on addressing critical community and individual health needs. Through its concentrations in Community Counseling and Rural Community Health, the program equips students with the tools to make meaningful contributions to fields such as school counseling, probation, juvenile justice, public health, health promotion, and substance abuse prevention. Graduates are well-prepared to tackle a wide range of issues, from youth empowerment and elder care to violence prevention and climate change’s impact on health.

The program emphasizes culturally sensitive, evidence-based approaches to addressing health and health equity on multiple scales. Students gain expertise in trauma-informed care, addiction counseling, environmental justice, suicide prevention, and more, while honing practical skills in advocacy, assessment, research, and education. With additional coursework, students can also qualify to take the Addiction Counseling Exam to become Licensed Addiction Counselors, as authorized by the Behavioral Health Administration. This program is ideal for individuals who want to drive positive change in communities and contribute to creating healthier, more equitable futures.

Western Colorado University’s Master of Behavioral Science (MBS) program stands out among U.S. graduate offerings by providing a deeply integrated, community-embedded approach to rural behavioral health, health equity, and social justice. Unlike many programs that focus primarily on clinical or policy-driven training, Western’s MBS blends behavioral science with hands-on, community-based research—requiring students to partner with local organizations to co-develop solutions for issues such as trauma, addiction, food insecurity, and youth suicide. The program’s multidisciplinary curriculum—spanning psychology, sociology, and geography—features advanced training in geospatial analysis, program evaluation, and trauma-informed care, all tailored to the unique challenges facing rural and Indigenous populations.

Supported by Colorado Senate Bill 22-172, the program also offers scholarships to students committed to serving rural communities, ensuring graduates are not only academically prepared but also meaningfully embedded in the regions they aim to support. With its emphasis on grassroots engagement and culturally responsive interventions, Western’s MBS program is a distinctive leader in rural behavioral health education.

MBS graduates are well-positioned for diverse and impactful careers that extend beyond traditional therapy roles. They can serve as community health educators, program evaluators, or prevention specialists, with a focus on health equity and the social determinants of health in underserved populations. Opportunities also exist in public health departments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions, where graduates may develop and implement health promotion programs, conduct community-based research, and advocate for policy changes. Roles such as crisis counselors, case managers, and behavioral health consultants are also common, particularly in settings that address trauma, addiction, and mental health disparities.

Additionally, graduates may pursue careers in program coordination, health education, and research within government agencies, social service organizations, and private research firms. These career paths draw on the program’s interdisciplinary training, equipping professionals to tackle complex health challenges in rural and marginalized communities.