Behavioral Sciences Degree

B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences

National Louis University’s Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences (ABS) equips students with the insights, skills, and theory to thrive in diverse roles working with and leading groups. This interdisciplinary program combines approaches from psychology, sociology, communications, and cultural and organizational studies to provide a framework for effective professional practice in a variety of settings and graduate study.

Consider getting your behavioral sciences degree at NLU if you:

  • Seek to advance in your ability to motivate and lead groups
  • Are interested in gaining a broader understanding of yourself and your interaction with others
  • Want to develop skills in critical thinking, decision-making, oral and written communication, and problem-solving
  • Think you may want to work in a professional role that involves human resources, education and training, organizational behavior or community service

Why NLU for a Behavioral Sciences Degree

In 1886, NLU was created as a learning institution dedicated to training teachers with the ultimate goal of helping others and supporting communities so they could grow and prosper. Today NLU continues to carry out its original mission—educating students so they may help communities and organizations thrive.

The applied behavioral sciences degree program at NLU has been in existence since 1978, and was one of the first of its kind. The program has prepared generations of graduates to bring insights and skills about how to maximize the contributions of individuals and groups to diverse workplaces.

We Make It Convenient to Earn Your Behavioral Sciences Degree

NLU understands that many students are balancing work and family commitments while in school, so courses are scheduled with that in mind. We offer classes at eight different locations throughout Chicagoland, so NLU is always convenient to your work or home. We also know you want to complete your degree as quickly as possible, so if you’ve already earned credits toward your bachelor’s degree, NLU can help you transfer them. And NLU students often get credit for some of the life or work experience they bring to the University.

What You Will Learn

  • How to better understand, predict, and effectively address the behavior of individuals and groups
  • How to apply behavioral sciences concepts to real-world situations
  • How diverse cultural backgrounds impact today’s workplace and communities
  • How to conduct applied research relevant to your area of interest

Plus, students complete two independent study projects that provide an opportunity to research topics of interest, integrate course concepts and skills, and refine written and oral presentation techniques.

Career Outlook

In the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences program you'll learn about effective communication, group dynamics and human behavior so that you can make a difference in nonprofit, governmental, corporate, educational and other settings that need to maximize their human capital and serve clients. Graduates have succeeded in roles such as:

  • Human Resources Coordinator
  • Internal Training Specialist
  • Social Services Case Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Community Liaison

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences program is 180 quarter hours in length and, depending upon your prior college and work experience, may include general education coursework and elective coursework in addition to coursework in the major. Working with an Academic Advisor, you will develop a degree plan that includes any additional coursework needed for the ABS major.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

Locations

  • CHICAGO DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

    NLU’s Chicago campus on South Michigan Avenue occupies five floors of the historic Peoples Gas Building. This landmark building, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park, is easily accessible by train, bus and car and is surrounded by restaurants, parking lots/garages and shops.

    122 S. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60603
    800.443.5522

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  • ELGIN

    Conveniently located in a fast-growing business district off I-90 and Route 31, NLU Elgin features 10 classrooms with high-tech media equipment; a computer lab with high-speed Internet access; two conference rooms; and comfortable student lounges. Parking is free at this recently remodeled and upgraded teaching site, which now includes wireless Internet access.

    620 Tollgate Road
    Elgin, IL 60123
    800.443.5522

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  • NORTH SHORE

    Opened in the summer of 2006, NLU North Shore at Skokie is a state-of-the-art modern campus located just off the Edens Expressway near the Old Orchard Shopping Center. The campus includes 44 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a walk-in lab in the library; six conference rooms; a public café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; and multiple, comfortable student lounge areas.

    5202 Old Orchard Road
    Skokie, IL 60077
    800.443.5522

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  • LISLE

    Located just minutes from the East-West Tollway (I-88), NLU Lisle features 42 wireless classrooms equipped with high-tech media equipment; four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, including a separate walk-in lab in the library; a café for beverages and snacks; a student welcome center; a library for research and study; conference rooms; and six comfortable student lounge areas with wireless access.

    850 Warrenville Road
    Lisle, IL 60532
    800.443.5522

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  • WHEELING

    Located in one of Chicago's major northwest suburbs, the newly renovated NLU Wheeling includes 20 classrooms with high-tech media equipment, four conference rooms, four computer labs with high-speed Internet access, large student lounge areas with wireless capabilities and interactive video capabilities, and an extensive research library. The site also houses the university library research collection.

    1000 Capitol Drive
    Wheeling, IL 60090
    800.443.5522

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  • FLORIDA (TAMPA)

    Established in 1988 and located in one of the city's major business districts, NLU's Tampa campus serves students in 13 counties in central Florida. In addition to six classrooms, the campus features a conference room, a computer lab with high-speed Internet access, an extensive research library and comfortable student lounges.

    4950 West Kennedy Blvd. #300
    Tampa, FL 33609
    800.366.6581 | www.nl.edu/florida

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  • WISCONSIN

    NLU's Milwaukee campus has a proud history of serving graduate students in education in southeastern Wisconsin. Nearly one in five certified Wisconsin teachers looks to NLU for graduate education programs – more than any other university in the state. In addition to classrooms with high-tech media equipment, the campus offers a state-of-the-art computer lab with wireless Internet access and an extensive IDS research library.

    12000 West Park Place, Suite 100
    Milwaukee, WI 53224-3007
    414.577.2658

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