Motivation: Make a Difference

General Studies

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About the Program

The Associate of Arts in General Studies (AA) is a two-year program emphasizing the development of general knowledge for students preparing for a variety of careers.

You have the option of pairing your degree with a minor or with one of several concentrations.

Program Details

The Associate of Arts in General Studies (AA) is a two-year program emphasizing the development of general knowledge for students preparing for a variety of careers.

Concentrations

Customize your general studies program to match your career goals with one of these concentrations.

Behavioral Science

Prepare for a career in helping others.

Behavioral Science

Business

Acquire a broad base from learning from which to leap!

Business Management

Computer Science

Dabble in computer science to diversify yourself to employers.

Computer Science

Conservation Law Enforcement

Protect your community!

Conservation Law

Criminal Justice

Protect justice and equality.

Criminal Justice

General Studies

Pursue specific interests.

General Studies

Human Services

Prepare for a career in caring for others.

Human Services

Diverse Experience

27 countries represented on campus

7

Career Focused Concentrations

Acadia Federal Credit Union

An example of where our graduates work today

General Studies Spotlight

Meet the faculty and students who make this program so successful.

Faculty

Krishna Kaphle

Associate Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Krishna Kaphle has been teaching college-level mathematics and statistics for over 20 years. He …

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Faculty

Paul Buck

Professor of History and Education

Paul Buck is located at 120 Powell Hall. You may contact Paul by phone at …

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Faculty

Scott Brickman

Professor of Music and Education

Dr. Brickman has been composing original music for decades and regularly has his pieces performed …

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Faculty

Geraldine Cannon Becker

Professor of English and Creative Writing

Geraldine Cannon Becker has been teaching at UMFK since 2004. Geraldine earned her BA in …

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Faculty

Joseph E. Becker

Professor of English, Program Coordinator/Lead Faculty, and UMFK English Program

Dr. Joseph Becker, Ph.D., Comparative Literature, University of Arkansas 2002; M.A., Comparative Literature, University of …

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Next Steps

Tell us about yourself to learn more about the benefits of earning your degree at UMFK.

Behavioral Science

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About the Program

As a Behavioral Science student at UMFK, you’ll benefit from faculty who are work in the field, enjoy small classes, and have hands-on learning that prepares you for the career you want. Many of our graduates enter the field in jobs doing social work, counseling and other roles, often times receiving jobs offers from your internship site. There is also an active Behavioral Science Club that does service-learning trips with opportunities to network with professionals in the field.

You have the option of pairing your degree with a minor or with one of our two concentrations that lead to much needed licenses and credentials in the field.

Behavioral Science Program

The Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science program is designed for students interested in careers in the Behavioral Health field and for advanced study in fields such as Psychology, Social Work and Counseling.  Hands-on experience, job shadowing, participation in service and experiential learning projects, and internships are core elements that set our program apart.

Behavioral Science Program

Concentrations

Customize your Behavioral Science degree to match your career goals with one of these concentrations.

MHRT/C Certificate Concentration

Prepare for a career in mental health rehabilitation with a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Certification, a State of Maine certification.

MHRT/C Concentration

Substance Abuse Counseling

Help those who struggle by pursuing a concentration in substance abuse counseling.

Substance Abuse Counseling

Behavioral Science, General Studies

The Associate of Arts in General Studies concentration in Behavioral Science will provide you with a sound liberal arts foundation with the fundamentals of anthropology, psychology, and sociology.

AA Behavioral Science Concentration

Human Services, General Studies

The Associate of Arts in General Studies concentration in Human Services will prepare you for work in the behavioral health field, meeting the requirements for certification as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician – Community (MHRT/C).

AA Human Services Concentration

Behavioral Science, Minor

The Behavioral Science minor will provide you with a foundation in behavioral health science that enables you to increase your understanding of individual and group behavior.

Behavioral Science Minor

Online Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Community (MHRT/C) Certificate

The MHRT/C certification prepares students to provide services to adults with serious mental illness. Many careers within the behavioral health field require the MHRT/C certification. The content and skills covered in the MHRT/C curriculum also transfer to other roles/populations in the behavioral health field.

MHRT/C Certificate Program

Employers who have hired our graduates include:

  • Maine Department of Health and Human Services
  • Northern Maine Medical Center
  • Life by Design
  • Aroostook Mental Health Center
  • Melmark
  • Northern Maine General
  • Northern Light Acadia Hospital
  • Aroostook County Action Program
  • Community Care
  • Madawaska School Department
  • Spurwink
UMFK Behavioral Science students at NMMC

Potential employers include:

  • Northern Lighthouse
  • Wings for Children and Families
  • Catholic Charities Maine
  • Maine Family Planning
  • Maine Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Child Development Services
  • Community Health and Counseling
  • Hope and Justice Project
  • Sweetser
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • TRIO Programs
  • University of Maine System

License and certification opportunities include:

  • Conditional Social Work License (LSWX)
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
  • Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Community Certification (MHRT/C)

Graduates have careers as:

  • Adult & Child Case Manager
  • Community Integration Specialist
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Clinical Therapist/Counselor (Advanced Study)
  • Family Support Counselor
  • Crisis Counselor
  • TRIO Counselor
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Social Worker Academic Counselor/Advisor
  • Foster Care
  • Program Administration/Coordinator Advocate

Career Outlook and Earning Potential

Bureau of Labor Statistics – Potential Occupations and Employment Outlook

Job CodeJob Title
21-1021.00Child, Family, and School Social Workers
33-9099.00Protective Service Workers, All Other
39-9041.00Residential Advisors
21-1011.00Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
21-1014.00Mental Health Counselors
21-1015.00Rehabilitation Counselors
21-1093.00Social and Human Service Assistants
21-1091.00Health Educators
21-1092.00Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
21-1094.00Community Health Workers
43-4061.00Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
21-1023.00Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Program Requirements

  • PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 100: Introduction to Sociology
  • SOC 110: Introduction to Human Services & Community Mental Health
  • PSY 232: Trauma and Resiliency
  • PSY 270: Case Management
  • PSY 308: Life Span Human Development
  • PSY 332: Substance Abuse Counseling
  • SSC 340: Research Methods
  • PSY 360: Social Psychology
  • PSY 362: Abnormal Psychology
  • PSY 497: Community Behavioral Health Internship OR
  • SSC 440: Research Methods and Theory Seminar (Capstone I) AND
    SSC 441: Senior Research in Social Sciences (Capstone II)

Required Support Courses and Additional Credits

  • SSC 241: Writing and Critical Analysis in the Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • MAT 251: Statistics I

18 Additional credits required through one of the following 3 options:

  1. Complete Behavioral Health MHRT-C Concentration
  2. Complete Substance Abuse Counseling Concentration
  3. Complete a Minor (other than Behavioral Science)

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

An example of where our graduates work today

100%

Students who complete internships before graduating

1:16

Faculty to Student Ratio

Behavioral Science Spotlight

Meet the faculty, alumni, and students who make this program so successful.

Faculty

Shawn E. Graham, PhD, LCPC, CADC, MHRT/C

Assistant Professor of Counseling and Behavioral Science Unit Chair

Dr. Shawn Graham has worked in the behavioral health field for over 25 years and …

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Faculty

Lisa M. Lavoie, MAIS, LCPC-C, CADC, CRC

Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science; Doctoral Candidate, University of the Cumberlands; and President, AFUM UMFK Chapter

Lisa is an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science. She earned her Master of Arts in …

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Alumni

Mercedes Madore

When I enrolled into the Behavioral Science major, I had no idea what I was …

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Student

Abbi Thompson

The Behavioral Science program at UMFK is a very tight knit family.  I love how …

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Next Steps

Tell us about yourself to learn more about the benefits of earning your degree at UMFK.