Behavioral Science Major Standardization v1.0

Behavioral Science

Major

Behavioral Science prepares future Army officers to lead through understanding: of individuals, teams, organizations, and cultures. Cadets study human behavior as an operational tool applied where trust, performance, and mission success matter most.

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Behavioral Science at West Point

Understand behavior. Lead better. Shape stronger teams.

Behavioral Science equips cadets with the psychological and organizational insight required to lead effectively in complex military environments. You’ll study how people think, decide, and perform—and how leaders shape those outcomes ethically and effectively.

This major is built for cadets who want to lead with disciplined judgment, empathy, and responsibility..

Quick Facts:

Core Themes & Focus Areas

  • Human performance under stress
  • Leadership and organizational effectiveness
  • Team dynamics and decision-making
  • Mental health, resilience, and counseling
  • Culture, ethics, and the military profession

The West Point Advantage

At West Point, Behavioral Science is taught as a leadership discipline—not abstract theory. Cadets apply behavioral insight directly to real leadership roles they hold today and will hold tomorrow as Army officers.

Applied Learning

  • Design and analyze behavioral studies

  • Conduct counseling and leader development exercises

  • Solve real leadership and organizational challenges

Undergraduate Research

  • Leadership development

  • Human performance and resilience

  • Trust in military AI systems

  • Organizational effectiveness

Many projects lead to conference presentations, Army recommendations, or honors theses.

The Journey Continues: A Career of Leadership, Shaped by Behavioral Science

Service first. Human-centered skills that endure.

Behavioral Science prepares officers to lead in complex, people-centered operational environments. Cadets commission as Army officers and apply behavioral insight immediately—leading Soldiers, managing teams, and advising commanders where human performance and judgment matter most.

Commissioning Pathways

Behavioral Science aligns naturally with branches and roles that rely on leadership, judgment, and understanding people:

BranchDescription
Infantry / Armor / AviationLead Soldiers under pressure; apply behavioral insight to decision-making, cohesion, and morale.
Military IntelligenceAnalyze human behavior, culture, and decision processes in complex threat environments.
Adjutant General / Talent ManagementApply behavioral science to selection, development, and organizational effectiveness.
Civil Affairs & Psychological OperationsUnderstand and influence human behavior in joint, interagency, and multinational contexts.
Cyber & Information OperationsAssess human decision-making, trust, and behavior in technology-enabled operations.

Learn How Commissioning Works

Post-Graduate Opportunities

Deepening expertise while serving

Behavioral Science majors are competitive for advanced education and specialized development throughout their Army careers.

Graduate School & Scholarships

  • Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, Truman, Gates-Cambridge
  • Army-funded graduate programs in psychology, leadership, policy, and human performance

Research & Fellowships

  • Army research organizations
  • Leadership and human performance research labs
  • Defense-focused fellowships and applied research assignments

Explore Scholarships & Graduate Opportunities

What Behavioral Science Officers Do: Across a Career

Early Career: Lead Soldiers and Build Teams

Newly commissioned officers assume immediate responsibility for people, discipline, and mission execution. Behavioral Science majors are often relied upon to strengthen unit cohesion, manage stress, and lead Soldiers through demanding training and operational environments.

They translate behavioral insight into leader actions by conducting effective counseling, resolving conflict, developing junior leaders, and maintaining morale and readiness in garrison and deployed settings.

Mid-Career: Command, Advise, and Specialize

As officers advance, many move into positions requiring deeper organizational and human-centered expertise. Behavioral Science backgrounds support assignments in human resources, intelligence, civil affairs, special operations support, training commands, and institutional leadership roles.

Officers may command companies, lead staff sections, or serve as subject-matter experts advising commanders on leadership climate, performance, talent management, and organizational effectiveness.

Senior Career: Shape Culture, Policy, and Leader Development

At senior levels, Behavioral Science–trained officers influence how the Army develops leaders, supports Soldiers and families, and prepares organizations for sustained operations. These roles include battalion and brigade command, senior staff positions, policy development, and leadership within institutional and joint organizations.

Decisions at this stage affect force readiness, leader development, and the long-term health of Army organizations.

Representative roles:
Battalion or Brigade Commander, Senior Staff Officer, Policy Advisor, Leader Development Program Director

Missions & Real-World Impact

Behavioral Science officers operate where leadership and human performance matter most. Their work may include:

  • Leading Soldiers in combat, training, and contingency operations

  • Strengthening unit cohesion, resilience, and ethical leadership climates

  • Advising commanders on morale, discipline, and organizational health

  • Supporting multinational, interagency, and civilian engagements

  • Improving decision-making and performance under stress

Beyond Initial Service: A Foundation That Transfers

While Behavioral Science majors serve first and foremost as Army officers, the leadership, analytical thinking, and human-centered skills developed through service translate naturally into later roles in government, education, public service, and advanced graduate study. 

Many officers pursue funded graduate education, fellowships, or senior leadership positions after fulfilling their Army commitment, building on a foundation forged through leadership of people in the most demanding conditions.

Questions Prospective Cadets Ask

Do I need to plan on becoming a psychologist to choose this major?

No. Behavioral Science prepares officers to lead people effectively in any Army branch, not just clinical or academic roles.

Is this major only for non-combat roles?

No. Behavioral Science majors commission across all branches, including combat arms.

How selective is the major?

Selection emphasizes preparation, motivation, and leadership potential—not perfection.

Why Behavioral Science at West Point vs. psychology anywhere else?

At West Point, Behavioral Science is not a clinical or theoretical degree. It is a leadership discipline embedded within daily military responsibility.

Is research required?

Research is strongly encouraged and widely accessible, especially through the capstone and honors options.

Can I pair this major with a minor?

Yes. Many cadets pair Behavioral Science with minors in cyber, systems engineering, data science, or foreign languages.

What’s the best next step if I’m interested?

Start your application. You don’t need to declare a major to apply.

Ready to Lead? Start Your Journey at West Point

Admission is competitive, but this major is open to all cadets who meet USMA’s academic, physical, and leadership standards.

Key Deadlines:

  • Feb. 15 – Application & Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) open

  • April 15 – SLE application closes

  • Fall (Senior Year) – Nomination applications due

  • Jan. 31 (Senior Year) – Candidate Checklist deadline

View Full Admissions Requirements

Take the First Step

Starting the application does not commit you to a major. It opens the door to guidance, advising, and a clearer picture of your path forward.

Begin Your Journey in STEM at West Point

Get Answers to Your Questions

Discover West Point for Yourself

What You’ll Study

The curriculum builds from foundational psychology into advanced leadership application and real-world problem solving in military contexts.

How the Curriculum Builds Your Expertise

  1. Foundational Knowledge
    Understand cognition, motivation, development, and social behavior.
  2. Advanced Application
    Apply behavioral theory through research methods, leadership labs, and organizational analysis.
  3. Leadership & Military Relevance
    Translate insight into action through counseling, team leadership, and ethical decision-making.

Course Highlights

CourseWhat You'll Learn
General Psychology for Leaders (PL100)Apply a scientific understanding of human behavior, cognition, and motivation to ethical leadership and decision-making as a future Army officer.
 Military Leadership (PL300)Develop, assess, and refine leadership effectiveness by applying behavioral science principles to real leadership roles within military organizations.
Cognitive Psychology (PL392)Understand human decision-making, attention, memory, and error, essential for managing risk and performance in complex, high-stakes environments.
Foundations of Counseling (PL387)Build practical counseling and communication skills to support Soldier development, resilience, performance, and discipline.
 Human Factors Engineering (PL485)Design and evaluate systems, equipment, and work environments that align with human cognitive and physical capabilities.
Leadership in Combat (PL471)Examine leadership under extreme stress through interdisciplinary study of combat environments, preparing officers to lead effectively in high-risk operations.
Capstone Seminar in Behavioral Science (PL488B )Apply engineering psychology, leadership, and behavioral science principles to solve real-world organizational and leadership challenges for Army clients.

View the full Behavioral Sciences and Leadership course catalog

Year-by-Year Snapshot

This progression builds foundational understanding of human behavior, advances into applied leadership and research skills, and culminates in real-world problem solving focused on Army leadership and organizational challenges.

First Year – Foundations of Human Behavior & Leadership

Build a scientific foundation for understanding how people think, feel, and behave as individuals and in groups.

Develop core leadership awareness, ethical reasoning, and introductory research skills that will be applied throughout the major.

Sample Courses:

  • PL100 – General Psychology for Leaders (scientific understanding of behavior)

  • PL300 – Military Leadership (leadership theory and personal development)

  • Core courses emphasizing ethics, communication, and leadership fundamentals

Sophomore Year – Individuals, Teams, and Performance

Deepen your understanding of cognition, motivation, and group dynamics.

Begin applying behavioral science concepts to real leadership scenarios, team performance, and decision-making under pressure.

Sample Courses:

  • PL392 – Cognitive Psychology (decision-making, attention, human error)

  • PL379 – Group Dynamics (team cohesion and performance)

  • PL361 – Research Methods I (design and analysis of behavioral research)

Junior Year – Applied Leadership & Behavioral Analysis

Move from theory to application through advanced leadership, counseling, and research-focused coursework.

Analyze complex human and organizational challenges while building skills in evaluation, communication, and evidence-based decision-making.

Sample Courses:

  • PL387 – Foundations of Counseling (developing and supporting Soldiers)

  • PL471 – Leadership in Combat (leadership under extreme stress)

  • PL462 – Advanced Research Methods or PL363 – Qualitative Research Methods

Senior Year – Integration & Leadership in Complex Systems

Synthesize behavioral science, leadership, and research skills in advanced seminars and applied projects.

Lead teams, analyze organizational problems, and translate behavioral insight into actionable recommendations for Army leaders.

Sample Courses:

  • PL488B – Capstone Seminar in Behavioral Science

  • PL485 – Human Factors Engineering or advanced leadership electives

  • Senior-level leadership or organizational behavior seminars

Capstone / Thesis / Culminating Experience

All Behavioral Science majors complete an applied capstone project. Cadets work in teams to address real leadership, organizational, or human-performance challenges, often for Army or institutional clients.

This experience integrates research, leadership judgment, and ethical responsibility, preparing cadets for commissioning and advanced Army roles.

View the Full Behavioral Science Curriculum

Faculty & Mentorship

Meet the Faculty

Behavioral Science at West Point is taught by faculty who combine deep academic expertise with real-world leadership experience. As part of the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, they work closely with cadets in small classes, applied research, and leadership development, ensuring every cadet is known, challenged, and supported.

Featured Faculty:

  • LTC Andrea Kaman – Director, West Point Leadership Center
    Expertise in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and applied leadership education.
  • Dr. Hugh Liebert – Director, Dawkins Scholars Program
    Mentor for prestigious scholarships and graduate study; expert in leadership, ethics, and public service.
  • Dr. [Faculty Member] – Applied Psychology & Human Performance
    Focus on decision-making, resilience, and performance under stress.
  • Dr. [Faculty Member] – Organizational Psychology & Leadership
    Specializes in team dynamics, organizational change, and leader development.
  • Dr. [Faculty Member] – Military & Society
    Research and instruction on civil-military relations, culture, and the human dimension of conflict.

(Faculty assignments vary by year; all Behavioral Science majors receive dedicated academic advising and mentorship.)

Department Culture:

  • Behavioral Science cadets learn in a collaborative, discussion-driven environment where faculty prioritize mentorship, ethical leadership, and practical application.
  • Small class sizes and close faculty relationships ensure cadets are challenged academically while developing the confidence and judgment required of Army officers.

Faculty Achievements:

  • Recognized repeatedly for excellence in teaching and cadet mentorship
  • Leaders of Army-relevant research in leadership, human performance, and human–system integration
  • Faculty-guided cadet research frequently presented at academic conferences and Army forums
  • Strong track record of mentoring cadets into AIADs, internships, scholarships, and graduate programs

Student–Faculty Success Stories:

  • Cadets working with faculty mentors through DEVCOM AIADs conducted applied research on trust in military AI systems and soldier decision-making under fire.
  • Behavioral Science seniors collaborated with faculty on capstone projects addressing real leadership and organizational challenges for Army clients.
  • Cadets mentored through the Dawkins Scholars Program have earned Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Fulbright, and other nationally competitive scholarships.

View Full Faculty Directory →

Expand Your Expertise

Cadets deepen their expertise by choosing a specialization track and pairing the major with complementary minors, allowing them to align academic study with commissioning goals, Army branch interests, and long-term leadership development.

This structure ensures every cadet graduates not just with a degree, but with a focused intellectual toolkit shaped for how—and where—they will lead.

Choose Your Track or Specialization

Behavioral Science majors select one of three specialization tracks, each blending theory, research, and applied leadership practice:

  1. Applied Psychology
    Focus on cognition, decision-making, mental health, resilience, and human performance under stress—preparing cadets to support Soldiers and teams in demanding environments.

  2. Organizational Psychology & Leadership
    Study teams, institutions, organizational change, and leader development, with emphasis on improving unit effectiveness and leading complex organizations.

  3. Military & Society
    Examine culture, ethics, civil–military relations, and social systems that shape conflict, cooperation, and strategic decision-making in global contexts.

Each track integrates coursework, research methods, and applied problem-solving aligned with real Army challenges.

Pair With a Minor

Cadets can further tailor their Behavioral Science major by pairing it with a complementary minor. These combinations strengthen analytical depth, technical fluency, and leadership versatility.

Sample Minor Pairings

Complementary MinorOpportunity
Cyber Security
  • Understand how humans interact with digital systems and emerging technologies.
  • Access cyber labs and coursework focused on trust, decision-making, and human behavior in cyber operations.
Applied Statistics
  • Strengthen evidence-based decision-making and behavioral analysis.
  • Develop quantitative skills to evaluate data, assess performance, and support research-driven leadership.
Systems Engineering
  • Integrate human behavior into complex technical systems.
  • Work with modeling, simulation, and systems integration tools used across the Army.
Foreign Language or Regional Studies
  • Deepen cultural understanding and global leadership capability.
  • Apply behavioral science insights in multinational, joint, and coalition environments.

Ready to Lead? Start Your Journey at West Point

Admission is competitive, but this major is open to all cadets who meet USMA’s academic, physical, and leadership standards.

Key Deadlines:

  • Feb. 15 – Application & Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) open

  • April 15 – SLE application closes

  • Fall (Senior Year) – Nomination applications due

  • Jan. 31 (Senior Year) – Candidate Checklist deadline

View Full Admissions Requirements

Take the First Step

Starting the application does not commit you to a major. It opens the door to guidance, advising, and a clearer picture of your path forward.

Begin Your Journey in STEM at West Point

Get Answers to Your Questions

Discover West Point for Yourself

Current Cadet CTAs

 

Experience Behavioral Science in Action

At West Point, Behavioral Science cadets don’t just study people—they lead them, research them, and support them in real environments.

Hands-On Opportunities & Unique Experiences

Internships (AIADs)
Cadets work with Army organizations, research labs, and external partners on leadership, human performance, and organizational challenges.

Research Opportunities
Undergraduate research in leadership, performance psychology, culture, and decision-making.

Leadership Opportunities
Cadet leadership roles serve as real-time laboratories for behavioral science application.

Global Programs
International experiences examining leadership and culture in multinational environments.

Explore Cadet Research

Cadet Life in This Major

Behavioral Science is a close-knit community of cadets focused on leadership, service, and understanding people.

Department Clubs & Associations
Engage with psychology, leadership, and social science organizations.

Co-Curricular Experiences
Applied projects, research teams, and leadership development initiatives.

Conferences & Events
Leadership conferences, speaker series, and research symposia.

Explore More Cadet Experiences

Questions Prospective Cadets Ask

Is research required?
Research is strongly encouraged and widely accessible, especially through the capstone and honors options.

Ready to Lead Through Understanding?

Applying to West Point does not commit you to a major. It opens access to advising, mentorship, and a clearer picture of how Behavioral Science fits into your future as an Army officer.

Apply to the Academy
Get Answers to Your Questions
Discover West Point for Yourself