Behavioral Science Pathway Program

The Behavioral Science Pathway leads to entry into three possible graduate programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (a 60 credit master’s), Industrial-Organizational Psychology (a 36 credit master’s), and Applied Behavior Analysis (a 36 credit master’s). Through this opportunity, you will enroll as a Master of Science student in Touro’s School of Health Sciences (SHS).

Why You Should Consider the Pathway Program

• Get a head start on your master’s degree while an undergraduate student
• See if you're interested in a graduate program while you are an undergraduate
• Pay for your graduate courses at the less expensive undergraduate rate
• No application fee when applying for the graduate program
• Make your graduate load easier, and in some cases, finish your Master’s degree in fewer semesters

How the Behavioral Science Pathway Works

As an undergraduate student enrolled in the pathway program, you can choose to take graduate courses towards any of the three behavioral science MS degrees.

Students interested in enrolling in a behavioral science MS program often pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Although this is the most common and recommended path, you are eligible to apply for the pathway program with any major as long as you can fulfill the necessary prerequisites listed below.

After you are approved to enter the pathway program, you’ll be able to enroll in a maximum of four graduate-level courses (up to 12 credits) specific to the MS degree you want to pursue, with a limit of two courses per semester. As long as you maintain your GPA and other program requirements, you can transition seamlessly into the MS program after earning your bachelor’s degree. 

Interested? Contact dbsadmissions@touro.edu

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Pathway

Mental health counselors provide sensitive and structured support to individuals, families, and groups to help them work through mental health challenges, improve wellness, and move towards career goals. In this graduate program, you'll learn the counseling theory and clinical training you need to become a licensed professional counselor. After licensure, you can work in hospitals, schools, mental health centers, government agencies, and even open your own private practice.

Eligibility to Enter the Pathway Program

Before applying to enter the pathway program, you will need to meet the following requirements.

1. Complete at least 60 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the specific required courses mentioned below.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3.
3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.3 (grade B+ or higher) in the following required/recommended undergraduate courses, based on your program of choice:
   • Abnormal Psychology (LPSN 335 / PSYN 335 / GPSN 335) - required
   • Developmental Psychology (LPSN 201 / PSYN 201/ GPSN 201) - required
   • Introduction to Psychology/General Survey of Psychology (LPSN 101 / PSYN 101/ GPSN 110) - required
   • Statistics (LMAN 261 / MATN 261/ GSMN 261) - required
   • Theories of Learning (LPSN 210 / PSYN 210 / GPSN 210) - recommended
4. Earn a passing score on a Department of Behavioral Science (DBS) professional conduct performance evaluation.

CMHC Courses That Count Towards Your Bachelor's and Master's

The following courses will apply to both your undergraduate and MS degrees. If you’re an undergraduate psychology student, the undergraduate degree requires four psychology electives in addition to the psychology core requirements. Many of the graduate-level behavioral science courses can fulfill two of the psychology electives toward your major.

• Foundations of Mental Health Counseling and Consultation (MNHN 600: 3 credits, Fall course)
• Research and Program Evaluation (MNHN 611: 3 credits, Spring course)
• Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling (MNHN 640: 3 credits, Fall course)

These courses also fulfill undergraduate psychology elective requirements:

• Human Growth and Development in Counseling (MNHN 620: 3 credits, Fall course)
• Counseling I: Theories and Practice (MNHN 630: 3 credits, Fall course)
• Counseling II: Theories and Practice (MNHN 632: 3 credits, Spring course)
• Lifestyle and Career Development (MNHN 678: 3 credits, Summer course)
• Psychopathology (MNHN 681: 3 credits, Spring course)

You can see the full list of requirements for successful completion of the CMHC master’s degree on the SHS website.

You must complete 60 credits to earn your master’s degree. After completing four courses (12 credits) in the pathway program, you will take an additional fifteen classes (48 credits) to complete the MS in CMHC. You will also be required to pass two comprehensive exams and to complete a New York State-approved seminar in Child Abuse Identification and Reporting. Full-time graduate students usually take 3 or 4 courses per semester to complete their MS degree. The CMHC master’s degree can be completed in as little as 5 semesters or two years, and courses must be taken in a specific sequence.

MS in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (I-O) Pathway

I-O psychologists use research and theory to help management and employees work more efficiently together and to ensure overall employee satisfaction. With the working knowledge gained from this program, you’ll be skilled at reaching important corporate goals around team building, motivation, and effective leadership. Although industrial psychologists often work in-house or as consultants for major corporations, there are also opportunities to work in government, healthcare, and other fields.

Eligibility to Enter the Pathway Program

Before applying to enter the pathway program, you will need to meet the following requirements:

1. Complete at least 60 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the specific required courses mentioned below.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 (grade B+ or higher).
3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.3 in the following required/recommended undergraduate courses:
   • Statistics (LMAN 261 / MATN 261/ GSMN 261) – required
   • Experimental Psychology (LPSN 301/ PSYN 301/ GPSN 301) or a similar research course – recommended
   • Industrial Psychology (LPSN 221 / PSYN 221 / GPSN 221) – recommended
   • Introduction to Psychology/General Survey of Psychology (LPSN 101 / PSYN 101/ GPSN 110) – recommended

4. Earn a passing score on a Department of Behavioral Science (DBS) professional conduct performance evaluation.

IO Courses That Count Towards Your Bachelor’s and Master’s

The following courses will apply to both your undergraduate and MS degrees. If you’re an undergraduate psychology student, the undergraduate degree requires four psychology electives in addition to the psychology core requirements. Many of the graduate-level behavioral science courses can fulfill two of the psychology electives toward your major.

• I/O Consulting (PSGN 619: 3 credits, Spring course)
• Training & Development (PSGN 656: 3 credits, Fall course)
• Leadership Coaching (PSGN 682: 3 credits, Summer course)

These courses also fulfill undergraduate psychology elective requirements:

• Social Psychology in Organizations (PSGN 613: 3 credits, Spring course)
• Introduction to I/O and O/D (PSGN 617: 3 credits, Fall course)

You can see the full list of requirements for successful completion of the I-O master’s degree on the SHS website.

You must complete 36 credits to earn your master’s degree. After completing four courses (12 credits) in the pathway program, you will take eight classes (24 credits) to complete the MS in I-O Psychology. Full-time graduate students usually take 2 or at maximum 3 courses per semester to complete their MS Degree. The MS in I-O can be completed in as little as 4 semesters or 1.5 years (with summer classes), and courses in the I-O program can be taken in any sequence.

MS Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Pathway

As a behavior analyst, you’ll be trained to work with individuals diagnosed with autism or on the autism spectrum, or who have related disorders. You’ll be well prepared to provide individualized, intensive therapy using positive reinforcement to improve learning. While behavior analysis is primarily used to improve academic learning in children, you will also learn how to use these techniques to improve the life skills of adolescents and adults.

Eligibility to Enter the Pathway Program

Before applying to enter the pathway program, you will need to meet the following requirements.

1. Complete at least 36 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the specific required courses mentioned below.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 (grade B+ or higher).
3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.3 in the following required/recommended undergraduate courses:
   • Abnormal Psychology (LPSN 335 / PSYN 335 / GPSN 335) – required pre- or co-requisite
   • Developmental Psychology (LPSN 201 / PSYN 201/ GPSN 201) – required pre- or co-requisite
   • Introduction to Psychology/General Survey of Psychology (LPSN 101 / PSYN 101/ GPSN 110) – required
   • Statistics (LMAN 261 / MATN 261/ GSMN 261) – required
   • Theories of Learning (LPSN 210 / PSYN 210 / GPSN 210) – required
   • Experimental Psychology (LPSN 301/ PSYN 301/ GPSN 301) or a similar research course – recommended
4. Earn a passing score on a Department of Behavioral Science (DBS) professional conduct performance evaluation.

ABA Courses That Count Towards Your Bachelor’s and Master’s

The following courses will apply to both your undergraduate and MS degrees. If you’re an undergraduate psychology student, the undergraduate degree requires four psychology electives in addition to the psychology core requirements. Many of the graduate-level behavioral science courses can fulfill two of the psychology electives toward your major.

These courses also fulfill undergraduate psychology elective requirements:

• Concepts and Principles in Applied Behavior Analysis (PSGN 667: 3 credits, Fall and Spring course)
• Considerations of The Whole Person in Behavior Analysis (PSGN 722: 3 credits, Fall, Spring, and Summer course)

You can see the full list of requirements for successful completion of the ABA master’s degree on the SHS website.

You must complete 36 credits to earn your master’s degree. After completing four courses (12 credits) in the pathway program, you will take nine classes (25 credits) in total to complete the MS in ABA. Full-time graduate students usually take 3 or at maximum 4 courses per semester to complete their MS Degree. The MS in ABA can be completed in as little as 4 semesters or 2 years, and can be taken in any sequence.

How to Apply

After completing the required number of credits for your program, maintaining your GPA, and getting approval from your department chair, you can submit your application materials to the appropriate behavioral science program chair in CMHC, IO, or ABA. No GRE or GMAT scores are required to apply. Include the following in your application to the pathway program:

1. A current resume.
2. A 500-word essay/personal statement telling us why you’ve decided to pursue graduate studies and your career aspirations.
3. A letter of recommendation from a college instructor.

Before beginning the pathway program, you’ll need an interview and approval from the undergraduate chair or deputy chair of your major, as well as from the Behavioral Science Program director and/or chair.

Contact

To express interest or ask any questions, please email dbsadmissions@touro.edu.