HEALTH BEHAVIOR SCIENCE
What is Health Behavior Science?
Health Behavior Science examines how personal, social, and environmental influences affect health and well-being throughout the lifespan. The program emphasizes reducing disease through the promotion of healthy behaviors and designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions that support individuals and communities in improving their health.
Key areas of study include social determinants of health, mental health and illness, health disparities, substance use and addiction, physical activity, sleep health, disability and health, health-related technology, and health communication.
Students develop advanced competencies through rigorous coursework, immersive practicum experiences, and impactful internships with community organizations and agencies. To further enhance professional preparation, students complete an approved minor that expands their expertise, deepens interdisciplinary knowledge, and strengthens their ability to address complex challenges in a complementary field.
What Can I Do with a Degree in Health Behavior Science?
Health Behavior Science graduates work in diverse settings such as healthcare facilities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, colleges, corporate workplaces, and health-related businesses. Career paths include supporting patients and families, promoting wellness across the lifespan, advancing public health initiatives, and leading community health programs. Graduates may also pursue advanced degrees in fields like medicine, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in these careers are projected to grow steadily between 8-11% over the next decade.
The Health Behavior Science major includes 120 credit hours. In addition to completing the major coursework, students choose an approved minor. Upon completion of the curriculum, students will be prepared to:
- Define and describe concepts of health and health promotion.
- Examine and discuss current issues in health behavior science.
- Explain and predict health behaviors across diverse populations.
- Measure the health status of a targeted population.
- Apply appropriate evidence-based theories and models to change health behaviors.
- Collect, analyze, interpret, and describe qualitative and quantitative health data.
- Design, implement, and evaluate health promotion, education, and behavior change strategies, programs, and interventions to address human health and disease.
- Work independently or as part of a team to solve a problem related to health promotion.
Health Behavior Science students choose a minor program of study to complement their major. A minor allows students to specialize in an area of interest and strengthen their preparation for careers within the field of Health Behavior Science.
Suggested minors for Health Behavior Science students include:
Biology
Business Administration
Dance
Disability Studies
Entrepreneurial Studies
Exercise Science
Forensic Science
Health, Physical Activity, and Disability
Leadership
Medical Social Services
Nutrition
Public Health
Psychology
Strength and Conditioning
Health Behavior Science majors are not able to minor in Health and Wellness.
Health Profession Pathways
The Health Behavior Science major at the University of Delaware has articulation agreements for graduate programs.
Reserved Seats in Widener University’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program
Up to 6 eligible students annually may apply for reserved seats in Widener University’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program using the OTCAS centralized application system.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Enrolled in BS in Health Behavior Science—Health & Disability concentration or BS in Integrated Health Sciences
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout undergraduate studies with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 by the end of the fall semester of senior year
- Grade of B or better in the following courses:
- Lifespan Human Development or equivalent (3 credits) (HDFS201)
- Abnormal Psychology or equivalent (3 credits) (PSYC334)
- Sociology or Anthropology (preferably cultural) (3 credits (SOCI201)
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab (8 credits) (KAAP309/KAAP310)
- Statistical Methods (3 credits) (STAT200)
- Documentation of at least 20 hours of volunteer or paid experience in a supervised occupational therapy setting
Benefits of applying for one of the reserved seats:
- Expedited application review
- Guaranteed invitation to interview
- Priority consideration for acceptance
Note: Students in the Health Behavior Science major—Health & Disability concentration or Integrated Health Sciences major or who do not meet all of the above eligibility criteria for application to reserved seats may still apply to the OTD program and benefit from the expedited application review, guaranteed invitation to interview, and priority consideration for acceptance.
Reserved Seats in Widener University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program
Up to 6 eligible students annually may apply for reserved seats in Widener University’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy program using the PTCAS centralized application system.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Enrolled in BS in Health Behavior Science—Health & Disability concentration
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout undergraduate studies with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 by the end of the fall semester of senior year
- Grade of B or better in the following courses:
- Biology (3 credits) (BISC207)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (6 credits, as separate or combined courses) (KAAP309/KAAP310)
- Chemistry (8 credits) (CHEM103/CHEM133 and CHEM104/CHEM134)
- Physics (6 credits) Lab is recommended, but not required (PHYS201/221 and PHYS202/PHYS222)
- Humanities (9 credits, including 3 credits of English composition) (ENGL110, 6cr of Creative Art/Humanities breadth courses)
- Social Science (9 credits, including 6 credits of psychology) (PSYC100, 6 credits of Social and Behavioral Science breadth courses)
- Statistics (3 credits) (STAT200)
- Documentation of at least 40 hours of volunteer or work experience in physical therapy, preferably working with both inpatient and outpatient clients
Benefits of applying for one of the reserved seats:
- Expedited application review
- Guaranteed invitation to interview
- Priority consideration for acceptance
Note: Students in the Health Behavior Science major—Health & Disability concentration who do not meet all of the above eligibility criteria for application to reserved seats may still apply to the DPT program and benefit from the expedited application review, guaranteed invitation to interview, and priority consideration for acceptance
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Connect
Tower at STAR: 100 Discovery Blvd, Newark, DE 19713 | Health Sciences Complex: 540 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19713 chs-info@udel.edu Phone: 302-831-1060