* Level of degree: A bachelor's degree (B.S. or B.A.) typically takes four years of full-time study. A master's degree (M.S. or M.A.) usually takes an additional one to two years, and a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) can take four to seven years or even longer.
* Institution: Different universities and colleges may have slightly different program structures and requirements, impacting the overall time to graduation.
* Course load: Full-time students generally complete their degrees faster than part-time students. Taking a heavier course load each semester can also shorten the time to graduation, but this can be demanding.
* Research requirements: Graduate programs, especially Ph.D. programs, often require significant research, which can extend the time to completion. The length of the dissertation process can significantly impact a doctoral program's duration.
In short, you can expect:
* Bachelor's Degree: 4 years
* Master's Degree: 1-2 years (after a bachelor's)
* Doctoral Degree: 4-7+ years (after a bachelor's and/or master's)
It's best to check with specific universities and their behavioral science programs for precise timelines.