The Applied Human Behavior Program (AHB) at Northern Arizona University is a unique and timely 90-30 degree that prepares you to work in a range of behavioral health fields including working with individuals and families, substance abuse, mental health, community development, public policy and human resources. The Applied Human Behavior Program examines operational aspects of social systems, how they impact behavior, and engages students in real world problem solving of community challenges. Curriculum emphasizes developing critical thinking in order to create solutions to social issues through empowering individuals and communities in professional direct practice and administrative roles.
Understanding how and why we as humans behave as we do allows us to creatively suggest solutions for the many problems we have getting along with others and coping with the fast-changing world in which we live. This emphasis provides entry level professional preparation for a vast array of human and social services, work in human resources, and not-for-profit and for profit organizations. It also delivers an excellent foundation for graduate study.
Classes are taught by expert faculty with advanced degrees and experience in the human behavior field. Take classes that center around your career goals, including Environmental and Biological Foundations of Human Behavior, Community Planning and Sustainable Practices, Addictions, Recovery, and Resiliency, and Practice and Intervention
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 114 |
| Foreign Language | Optional |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of Northern Arizona University’s Applied Human Behavior Program is to provide students with a broad understanding of the history and perspectives on human behavior and the applicable skills necessary for competent direct practice working with individuals, families, organizations, and communities in human services. The curriculum explores what motivates behavior, and how micro, mezzo and macro systems shape individuals. Coursework emphasizes a person-centered approach to working with diverse socioeconomic populations and empowering individuals, organizations and communities to reach optimal functioning through establishing client resiliency and goal-directed agency. Students are challenged to explore personal value systems and develop an understanding of how social justice and citizenship shape ethical practice. Program content prepares students for working in professional roles that require a four-year degree in a wide range of professional positions including the fields of behavioral health, community development, and human resources, as well as entering graduate and doctoral studies.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Human Systems & Diversity
1.1 Understand the nature of human systems and apply historical perspectives to analyzing and solving current social conditions that limit the highest level of the individual or community functioning.
1.2 Understand multiple perspectives on diversity and implement strategies to encourage multicultural environments that support clients, communities, and professional environments.
1.3 Recognize current ethics and laws related to primary and secondary characteristics of diversity.
1.4 Apply the concept of resiliency to support client success when working with diverse populations.
2. Practice & Intervention
2.1 Understand and apply a variety of Psychological, Social Work, Sociological, and Urban Planning theories to promote the optimal functioning of individuals and communities.
2.2 Understand the nature of human systems using the biopsychosocial model including the biological, environmental and social impacts on human behavior.
2.3 Explain aspects of human development, the life cycle, familial and relationship dynamics and how they affect individual growth and success.
2.4 Awareness of the variety of community settings and resources and the ability to select appropriate services and referrals that support client well-being.
2.5 Apply skill in planning, implementing and evaluating direct practice techniques when working with individuals, families, communities, and groups to promote growth and goal attainment.
2.6 Recognize scope of practice and apply ethical decision making to direct practice and intervention through the use of legal knowledge, practical skills, and critical thinking.
2.7 Develop urban and rural community planning skills that use interpersonal communication and advocacy to empower stakeholders to create sustainable, successful community systems.
3. Community Engagement & Responsibility
3.1 Identify the impact that socio-economics, public policy, community development, and global issues have on individuals and communities ability to resolve psychological or social issues and develop new strategies for success.
3.2 Understand how globalization and internationalism impact citizenship, participation, and social responsibility in mezzo and macro environments and apply this knowledge to resolving issues of social responsibility and citizenship.
4. Professional Preparedness
4.1 Develop professional process skills including documentation, assessment, care planning, administrative documentation and personal communication to apply in a variety of human behavior career settings.
4.2 Recognize and apply professional leadership skills in a wide variety of careers and professional positions.
4.3 Understand the importance of Social Science research and apply research to select solutions or implement best practices.
4.4 Awareness and capacity to apply the most prevalent ethical, legal, and safety guidelines for direct practice and intervention with clients.
5. Personal Values and Development
5.1 Explore personal and professional values, ethics and career driven dilemmas through participation in self-reflection and professional exploration exercises, self-critique, discussion and group activities.
5.2 Develop personal experiences, critical thinking skills and challenge current worldviews through teamwork, self-assessment, course projects, service learning and community internship experience.
All coursework in the Specialization Areas must be upper-division and from Northern Arizona University. Substitutions and use of credit from other institutions are not allowed in the Specialization.
Multi-use of coursework is not permitted within the Major Requirements. Major Requirements include Specialization, Communication, Computer Literacy, Language and Science.
Take the following 30 units with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
Applied Human Behavior Specialization
Communication Requirements (6 units)
Choose 6 units in the following two categories.
Please note that you cannot use CLEP or locally prepared exams to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit used to satisfy this requirement must be approved by the program director.
Foreign Language Requirement Option (19 units)
Science Requirement, select from the following (12 units):
AND
Computer Literacy (6 units)
This coursework must help you to understand, in general, the technical components of computers and information systems, how to solve problems using information systems technology, word processing, spreadsheet use, database management, graphic information software, website development, graphic design and use of statistical analysis software. Subject to advisor approval.
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.