Best institutions to study Behavioral Aspects of Health
A program that focuses on the biological, behavioral, and socio-cultural determinants of health and health behavior, and the interventions and policies aimed at improving community and population health.
55 U.S. institutions graduated 751 Behavioral Aspects of Health students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2212, a specialization of Public Health (CIP 51.22), and leads most directly to the Health Education Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 21-1091).
About Behavioral Aspects of Health programs
A program that focuses on the biological, behavioral, and socio-cultural determinants of health and health behavior, and the interventions and policies aimed at improving community and population health. Includes instruction in behavioral sciences, public health practice and policy, human services, and research methods.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Behavioral Aspects of Health program, part of the Public Health field, focuses on the biological, behavioral, and socio-cultural determinants of health and health behavior. It is designed for students interested in understanding how various factors influence community and population health, and the interventions that can improve health outcomes.
Students in this program will gain core skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework includes behavioral sciences, public health practice and policy, and research methods, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to address public health challenges effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Behavioral Aspects of Health graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree355 graduates / yr · 13 institutions47%
- Master's degree112 graduates / yr · 10 institutions15%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship66 graduates / yr · 12 institutions8.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate65 graduates / yr · 8 institutions8.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year63 graduates / yr · 9 institutions8.4%
- Associate's degree44 graduates / yr · 6 institutions5.9%
- Post-master's certificate28 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years11 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Behavioral Aspects of Health completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 79 |
| 2013 | 209 |
| 2014 | 294 |
| 2015 | 280 |
| 2016 | 286 |
| 2017 | 427 |
| 2018 | 419 |
| 2019 | 528 |
| 2020 | 799 |
| 2021 | 804 |
| 2022 | 752 |
| 2023 | 628 |
| 2024 | 617 |
| 2025 | 751 |
Top 50 institutions for Behavioral Aspects of Health, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 126 | 89% | — | $35,761 |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 74 | 92% | $26,873 | $36,300 |
| 3 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 51 | 33% | — | $35,119 |
| 4 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, ILPublicMaster's | 38 | 62% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicBachelor's | 34 | 52% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicPost-degree cert. | 29 | 55% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor's | 26 | 79% | — | — |
| 8 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 75% | — | $43,093 |
| 9 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 10 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 70% | — | — |
| 11 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MOPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 20 | 33% | — | — |
| 12 | Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MOPublicAssociate's | 16 | 21% | — | — |
| 13 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralDoctoral (prof.) | 16 | 78% | $36,004 | $39,072 |
| 14 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 29% | — | — |
| 15 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 15 | 80% | $35,682 | $23,096 |
| 16 | Seton Hill University Greensburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 67% | $19,887 | — |
| 17 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 58% | — | $32,584 |
| 18 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicMaster's | 12 | 61% | — | — |
| 19 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 11 | 61% | — | $41,561 |
| 20 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 86% | — | $39,144 |
| 21 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicDoctoral | 11 | 80% | — | $42,790 |
| 22 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYPublicBachelor's | 11 | 55% | — | — |
| 23 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 11 | 84% | — | $39,584 |
| 24 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 61% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 9 | 64% | — | $32,187 |
| 26 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 95% | $22,242 | $50,415 |
| 27 | Moberly Area Community College Moberly, MOPublicAssociate's | 8 | 44% | — | — |
| 28 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoral | 7 | 87% | — | $35,463 |
| 29 | Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LAPublicMaster's | 7 | 45% | — | $34,751 |
| 30 | Central Penn College Summerdale, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 51% | $19,136 | — |
| 31 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 68% | — | $40,005 |
| 32 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 6 | 81% | — | $35,437 |
| 33 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 90% | — | $39,534 |
| 34 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 20% | — | — |
| 35 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 76% | — | $41,092 |
| 36 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 84% | $29,789 | $44,809 |
| 37 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 38 | George Fox University Newberg, ORPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 72% | $26,564 | — |
| 39 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicDoctoral | 3 | 77% | — | $33,575 |
| 40 | Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff, MOPublicAssociate's | 3 | 33% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 3 | 61% | — | — |
| 42 | San Juan College Farmington, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 43 | Rhode Island College Providence, RIPublicMaster's | 3 | 48% | — | — |
| 44 | Northwest Indian College Bellingham, WAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 18% | — | — |
| 45 | Alaska Christian College Soldotna, AKPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 11% | $6,724 | — |
| 46 | Western Colorado University Gunnison, COPublicMaster's | 2 | 50% | — | — |
| 47 | Taylor University Upland, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 74% | $20,836 | — |
| 48 | University of Jamestown Jamestown, NDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 49% | $19,583 | — |
| 49 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORPublicBachelor's | 2 | 54% | — | — |
| 50 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Health field (CIP 51.22) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 31 states
Where Behavioral Aspects of Health graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Health programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1091, Health Education Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Behavioral Aspects of Health program can pursue careers as Health Education Specialists, Community Health Workers, and Health Specialties Teachers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.5% and approximately 7,900 annual openings, offering a median wage of $63,000 for those with a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2212
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Education Specialistsprimary SOC 21-1091 | $64,070 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~7,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Community Health Workers SOC 21-1094 | $51,850 | +11.3% Much faster than average | ~7,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Behavioral Aspects of Health programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
- Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
- Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
- Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
- Develop and present health education and promotion programs, such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.
- Collaborate with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services and to develop goals for meeting needs.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Health specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Health (CIP 51.22).
- Public HealthCIP 51.220124,565 graduates / yr483 institutions
- Public Health Education and PromotionCIP 51.22073,740 graduates / yr157 institutions
- Community Health and Preventive MedicineCIP 51.22083,507 graduates / yr121 institutions
- Public HealthCIP 51.22992,709 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Health Services AdministrationCIP 51.22112,260 graduates / yr121 institutions
- International Public Health/CIP 51.2210
International Health 1,359 graduates / yr64 institutions - Environmental HealthCIP 51.22021,306 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Health/CIP 51.2205
Medical Physics 332 graduates / yr37 institutions - Occupational Health and Industrial HygieneCIP 51.2206300 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Maternal and Child HealthCIP 51.2209225 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Patient Safety and Healthcare QualityCIP 51.2213partial data104 graduates / yr9 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Public Health Genetics51.2214
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in communication, critical thinking, and health education.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Health Education Specialist, Community Health Worker, or a Health Specialties Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 4.5% growth and 7,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Behavioral Aspects of Health?+
Behavioral Aspects of Health is CIP 51.2212 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Health (CIP 51.22). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the biological, behavioral, and socio-cultural determinants of health and health behavior, and the interventions and policies aimed at improving community and population health. Includes instruction in behavioral sciences, public health practice and policy, human services, and research methods.
How many institutions offer Behavioral Aspects of Health programs?+
55 U.S. institutions reported Behavioral Aspects of Health graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 31 states, awarding 751 credentials in the year. That is 1.8% of all Public Health graduates.
How much do Behavioral Aspects of Health graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Education Specialists occupation, which Behavioral Aspects of Health most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,070 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Health field report median earnings of $39,072 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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