The Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences is a full-time four-year undergraduate degree offered by IE University. This practical, multidisciplinary program allows participants to study, understand and influence human behavior. Utilizing an interconnected set of social science disciplines, this program gives you a comprehensive view of human nature.
Designed for positive change
The Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences program is geared towards individuals who want to use their understanding of human conduct to leave a positive mark on consumers, organizations and society.
This dynamic, fast-paced program aims to equip participants with the tools they need to implement sustainable change in organizations and society at large. It was designed to train professionals to approach the intricacies of human behavior with a holistic mindset, backed by a wealth of knowledge in various social science disciplines.
A sneak peek into the program
According to Alistair, there are three key elements to the Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences program. First, the technical aspect. This program allows you to learn the whole breadth of social science disciplines. You will also gain specialized knowledge of emerging fields such as behavioral science, behavioral finance and behavioral economics.
Second, Alistair goes on, is a spotlight on soft skills. To be effective in any organization, you need to know how to influence, persuade, coach and counsel. The program focuses on imparting students with these vital skills. The third element focuses on markets or areas of specialization. This program incorporates material that will help you understand what it’s like to work in different fields, and how best to apply your specific knowledge and skills.
Your four-year journey
The Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences program structure is designed to optimize the academic experience. The first year will be an introduction to the fundamentals of social sciences and research methodology. It will give you a strong base for the rest of your academic career.
In the second year, you will move on to study human behavior and the social systems in which we interact. You will also develop invaluable soft skills through debate, teamwork and communication. For the third year, you will start exploring advanced concepts related to behavior and decision-making with a focus on market-specific knowledge such as consumer or voter behavior.
The fourth-year is dedicated to career preparation and delving into even more advanced topics. You will handle larger projects which will allow you to apply what you have learned over the last three years in a practical context. Also, you will have opportunities for internships and exchanges.
The program is taught entirely in English to prepare students for future careers in top international organizations. While classes are primarily held in person, the development of Liquid Learning at IE University offers you greater flexibility. You can either spend your first year at the Segovia Campus before moving to Madrid to complete the program, or choose to spend all four years in the Spanish capital.
Why study behavior and social sciences?
For Alistair, studying the Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences gives you more than one lens with which to view and understand human behavior. This multifaceted approach will help you become a human behavior expert, gain a solid analytical foundation and build a multidisciplinary profile. It provides you with tools to make successful, positive changes in the world on both a micro and macro level.
Opportunities for the future
A Bachelor in Behavior and Social Sciences degree will open you up to a whole new world of career opportunities. As Alistair explains, graduates could easily fit in the human resources and talent industry, where there is a need to understand human behavior and align them to organizational priorities.
They could alternatively venture into consulting for large corporations or at a more boutique level. Or, they could end up becoming behavioral scientists within financial services or consumer-focused industries. The need for skilled practitioners is at an all-time high and the demand will only continue to rise as the business landscape evolves.