Apr 19, 2024

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Behavioral Healthcare B.S., with Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study

Service delivery to individuals with developmental disabilities, Autism spectrum disorders, and other behaviors that may limit functioning is addressed with very specific behavioral techniques. This concentration is appropriate for individuals desiring certification in the field or as a complement to other service delivery strategies.
Behavioral health problems, such as mental and substance use disorders, are among the greatest public health challenges facing our communities. New, scientifically-based approaches are available to treat and prevent many behavioral health problems. Students will be exposed to treatment approaches as well as to issues in the organization, financing, delivery, and outcomes of behavioral health services. The emphasis of the curricula is on practices that have been scientifically validated and the delivery of services within the context of current funding, policies and trends. Students must also demonstrate behaviors that are congruent with the professional standards and values of the profession. Students desiring a career in this field should be aware that fingerprinting, a background check, and drug screen may be required to work in this field. Failure to pass one of these checks would be cause to terminate a student from the major. Students may be responsible for any associated costs.

University Admissions - College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx
Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx
International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

Progression Requirements - Behavioral Healthcare B.S

Behavioral Healthcare majors are limited to two (2) grades of “D+” or lower in their major coursework. Any student who receives a grade of D+ or lower in more than two (2) major courses will be required to seek major reselection. Note: Students may use grade forgiveness to improve GPA, but all “D+” or lower grades will count toward the maximum allowed total “D+” grades, regardless of whether grade forgiveness has been applied.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Behavioral Healthcare B.S.

Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete an A.A. degree at a Florida College System institution. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university.

If a student wishes to transfer without an A.A. degree and has fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the student must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements.

Transfer students are also required to comply with the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university.

Students should complete the following prerequisite courses at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted.

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

PSY X012 Introduction to Psychological Science - 3 credit hours
STA XXXX Any level Statistics course or PSY X204 Psychological Statistics - 3 credit hours
SYG X000 Introduction to Sociology or SYG X010 Contemporary Social Problems - 3 credit hours

FOR ALL MAJORS: Students are strongly encouraged to select required lower division electives that will enhance their general education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with their academic advisor in their major degree area.

Behavioral Healthcare Required Courses (42 credit hours)

Major Core Courses: 7 courses; 21 credit hours

MHS 2031 - Mental Health and Addictive Disorders Credit(s): 3
MHS 3063 - Cultural Diversity, Health and Behavioral Health Credit(s): 3
MHS 3411 - Multidisciplinary Behavioral Healthcare Services Credit(s): 3 *
MHS 3753 - Research Methods in Behavioral Healthcare Credit(s): 3
MHS 4408 - Exemplary Practices in Behavioral Healthcare Treatment Credit(s): 3
MHS 4703 - Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in BHC Credit(s): 3
MHS 4723 - Professional Seminar in Behavioral Healthcare Credit(s): 3
NOTE: *MHS 3411 should be taken during the student’s first semester of major coursework; a minimum grade of “B-” is required.

Behavioral Healthcare Major (Restricted) Electives: 7 courses; 21 credit hours

Students complete a Behavioral Healthcare program of study and one concentration in:

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration: 7 courses; 21 credit hours

Concentration Core: 1 course; 3 credit hours

MHS 4002 - Behavioral Health Systems Delivery Credit(s): 3
OR
MHS 4490 - Behavioral Healthcare Issues for Children Credit(s): 3

Concentration Required Courses: 6 courses; 18 credit hours

MHS 3204 - Fundamentals of Applied Behavior Analysis Credit(s): 3
MHS 4202 - Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Planning Credit(s): 3
MHS 4204 - Skills Assessment and Training in Applied Behavior Analysis Credit(s): 3
MHS 4208 - Organizational Behavior Management Credit(s): 3
MHS 4412 - Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis Credit(s): 3
MHS 4704 - Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis Credit(s): 3

Additional Information - Behavioral Healthcare B.S.

GPA Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 in major coursework while enrolled in the program. Students falling below the 2.50 GPA requirement will be allowed no more than one semester to improve their GPA to the threshold.

Grading Requirement

A grade of lower than “C-” in any Behavioral Healthcare major course will not be counted toward fulfilling the requirements for the major.

Residency Requirement

At least 18 hours of major coursework must be taken in residence at USF Tampa.

Other Information

A concentration in Behavioral Healthcare is offered through the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (BSAS) degree program for Florida A.S. transfers as well as the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) for returning students. Both majors are offered through Undergraduate Studies.

A concentration in Multidisciplinary Behavioral Sciences is available through the Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (ISS) major, which is offered by the College of Arts & Sciences.

Research Opportunities - Behavioral Healthcare B.S.

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4910 course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - Behavioral Healthcare B.S.

For questions related to advising please contact BHC Advising at bhcadvise@usf.edu.

University of South Florida

Main Navigation