Earning a Master’s in Behavioral Science (MBS) from Western equips students with the skills and knowledge to design, implement, and assess programs that address the unique needs of underserved communities. The MBS in Rural Community Health offers an ideal platform for professional growth, providing students with the tools to tackle social, health, and economic challenges in small towns and rural areas. This research-driven program emphasizes community engagement, allowing students to collaborate with local nonprofits to build lasting partnerships and drive meaningful, sustainable change within behavioral sciences.
Program Overview
Sharpen your skills in behavioral science to enrich community health.
The Master of Behavioral Science in Rural Community Health program prepares students for work in behavioral and social science fields, including substance abuse prevention, health promotion, climate change and health, elder care, youth health and empowerment, early childhood interventions, violence prevention, as well as education and advocacy around a range of community issues.
Students pursuing a Master’s in Behavioral Science will sharpen their awareness about suicide prevention, school violence, addictions, trauma-informed interventions, environmental justice, stress and social isolation, reproductive health, poverty, and much more. The program emphasizes culturally sensitive and multiscale definitions of “health” and “health equity” that include evidence-based practices and a variety of strategies for healing, advocacy, education, assessment, research, and consultation.
Creating Community Wellness
Community-level education about nutrition is key to health and well-being. The Rural Community Health MBS prepares students to apply behavioral and social science principles (theories and methods) to develop, implement and evaluate programs oriented around various prevention and promotion models for community health.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
The Master of Behavioral Science (MBS) in Rural Community Health program prepares for work in various behavioral and social science fields including health psychology, substance abuse prevention, elder care, youth health and empowerment, sociology, education and advocacy, training and technical assistance, and program evaluation. MBS students develop applied behavioral science projects that respond to the needs of local organizations, academic institutions, and practitioners. Topically these projects include issues such as suicide prevention, school violence, substance addictions, trauma-informed early childhood interventions, elder care, and family poverty. The program encourages students and practitioners to embrace culturally sensitive and multi-scale definitions of "health" that include evidence based prevention practices along with a range of other strategies for healing, outreach, education, advocacy, assessment, and research. The MBS aligns with Western's liberal arts commitment by involving several disciplines (including Psychology, Sociology, and Geography) and providing a formal venue for students to develop applied experiences that generate scientific insight about community health related problems. The MBS is a 39-credit program that includes topical coursework in community health, violence and trauma, health disparities, geospatial analysis, psychopathology, health psychology, and evaluation methods. After successfully completing a practicum proposal, MBS students must complete a major research-based practicum project.
Program goals include:
- Improving students' understanding of behavioral and social science, especially with the most current research related to the determinants and effects of childhood trauma, the psychological and social dimensions of addiction, strategies for preventing violence in schools and households, the effects of chronic poverty, and the role of trauma-informed interventions in contributing to community health.
- Developing students' capacities for applied research in behavioral and social sciences, including the use of appropriate methods, research designs, sampling techniques, data collection, management and analysis, training and technical assistance, collaboration, health promotion, and communicating science to public audiences.
- Advancing the role of behavioral and social science in rural communities by preparing practitioners to increase capacity and collaboration among agencies, organizations, and communities to address problems of community health in rural communities.
- Fostering student capacities to work with rural and Native American communities on issues related to health promotion, healing practices, cultural trauma, youth suicide and substance use, and youth-oriented solutions for health and empowerment.
- Enhancing students' opportunities to pursue private and public sector careers, or doctoral-level study, in a range of behavioral and social science fields, including health psychology, prevention, elder care, youth health and empowerment, sociology, education and advocacy, training and technical assistance, and program evaluation.
BA or BS degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required. Preferred qualifications include a BA or BS in fields such as psychology, sociology, social work, health sciences, public health, Native American Studies, anthropology, regional planning, or communications; completion of an undergraduate course in statistics or quantitative research methods or evidence of a working knowledge of statistics or quantitative methods.
- Admission will be based on an overall package that considers academic excellence as well as relevant work experience, research, and community involvement. Admissions materials must be submitted online and must include: academic transcripts showing a recommended minimum 3.2 GPA from the degree-granting school; a resume or Curriculum Vitae outlining related research, leadership, outreach, professional experience and /or volunteer work; a letter of purpose describing the student's interests and goals regarding behavioral science and/or community health; a writing sample ( course paper or professional report) of at least 3 single-spaced pages; and two.letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors in related fields.
- GRE scores will be accepted but are not required for admissions consideration. International students must submit their score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IETLS. Students with a degree from a college or university where English is the language of instruction are not required to submit the TOEFL/IETLS score.
- Applicants are expected to have been in contact with an MBS program faculty member prior to submission of application. Documentation of this will be included as a formal expectation in the application process.
Students who have some deficiency in undergraduate training or incomplete credentials may be approved for provisional admission into the MBS in Rural Community Health program upon the recommendation of the Director of the MBS and approval by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.
To be admitted provisionally into the MBS in Rural Community Health program, applicants must demonstrate:
- some formal background or training in community health, psychology, sociology, or related field (e.g. coursework, internships, work study), and:
- ability to manage the assigned graduate courses while completing their undergraduate program or other provisions (e.g. the personal statement and references should indicate the candidate's ability to undertake such an academic load and course work at the graduate level).
In accordance with School of Graduate Studies Admissions Policies, a provisionally admitted student will have a maximum of one calendar year to complete any prerequisite academic coursework.
The MBS Program Director will assess provisionally admitted student progress towards completion of prerequisites and success in all MBS program and course work through meetings scheduled monthly and at the end of each semester within the required completion timeline.
Conferral of the MBS degree requires a total of 39 credits of 600-level coursework with a grade of B- or above, including the successful completion of a 6-credit practicum.
All students must complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
MBS 601 | Behavioral Science and Community Health | |
MBS 602 | Quantitative Methods and Research Design | |
MBS 603 | Quantitative Analysis in Behavioral Science | |
MBS 604 | Qualitative Methods and Analysis | |
MBS 605 | Health Disparities | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| 18 credits from the following: | 18 | |
MBS 611 | Program Planning and Evaluation | |
MBS 612 | Violence and Trauma | |
MBS 613 | Lifespan Development I: Childhood to Emerging Adulthood | |
MBS 614 | Lifespan Development II: Adulthood to End of Life | |
MBS 640 | Geographic Information Systems | |
MBS 660 | Geospatial Analysis | |
MBS 668 | Psychopathology | |
MBS 669 | Health Psychology | |
MBS 692 | Independent Study | |
MBS 697 | Special Topics in Rural Health | |
| Practicum Coursework | ||
| minimum of 9 credits required | 9 | |
MBS 698 | Community Health Practicum Proposal | |
MBS 699 | Community Health Practicum | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Spotlight
Cole Cooper
Student
"I am currently leading a community research project in partnership with our local hospital, Gunnison Valley Health. Through GVH’s supportive funding, we have been able to do a collaborative exploration of the health beliefs and needs of our Indigenous Hispanic community, the Cora. Our approach involved active dialogue with diverse stakeholders, including Cora community members, traditional healers known as Curanderos, and hospital staff (including Indigenous Medicine Practitioners in Nayarit, Mexico). Our primary objective is twofold: firstly, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare disparities faced by the Cora; and secondly, to honor their needs by exploring ways to integrate their cultural beliefs into culturally-tailored interventions. Our ultimate goal is to develop healthcare solutions that are accessible, culturally relevant, and of high quality, benefiting all members of our Gunnison community."
Spencer Smith ’23
Alumni
My last year of graduate school led me to some incredible opportunities. I wrote and received my very first grant from the Colorado School of Public Health and the University of Colorado School of Medicine's Injury and Violence Prevention Center. This funding went directly towards my Master's practicum and thesis on Suicide Prevention. I flew to Seattle to become a certified trainer in SafeTALK, which is a four hour training on Suicide Prevention. With this certification I was able to train 46 students, staff, and faculty on WCU's campus as part of my practicum. Lastly, I successfully defended my thesis, graduated with my Masters in Behavioral Science (MBS), and received the "Impact Award" from Western's Graduate Studies. I am beyond grateful for these past 6 years at Western, and am excited to see where my education takes me!
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation.
MAKE AN IMPACT
Transform communities through researching behavioral health sciences.
Pursuing a behavioral science degree is an excellent way to prepare for a meaningful career in healthcare, social work, counseling, or other related fields. Your experience as a student will extend past the classroom as you work to tackle local issues related to rural health in communities across the Western Slope.
Western’s Master’s in Behavioral Science is a 39-credit program that includes a significant, research-driven practicum project, offering students an opportunity to apply their academic learning to real-world challenges. After developing a detailed practicum proposal, students engage in a hands-on, immersive experience with local organizations, academic institutions, or community partners. This capstone project allows students to address pressing health and social issues within rural and Native American communities, from substance abuse and mental health to youth empowerment and trauma-informed care.
Empowering Generations
Children’s social and emotional health is crucial for their later-life outcomes, and it can be challenging to rigorously investigate how these are linked. The MBS program trains interested students to pursue a range of youth-oriented research, especially regarding the long-term payoffs of creative expression, social-emotional skills, and positive youth development strategies.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Master of Behavioral Science in Rural Community Health
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Kelley Hall 210
Gunnison, CO 81231
