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What Type of Degree Programs are Available in Behavioral Health?
What Type of Degree Programs are Available in Behavioral Health?
Many universities offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in behavioral health. Skill level acquired is dependent on whether a student pursues an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree.
Overview of Behavioral Health
Many degree programs are available in behavioral health. An associate's degree program will prepare the students for a career as a behavioral health technician, respite care worker or paraprofessional counselor. A Bachelor of Science degree in health studies prepares the graduate to work in careers related to healthcare and health promotion in both public and private settings. A master's degree in behavioral health prepares the graduate to work in occupational therapy, physical therapy or physician assistant studies.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisField">Important Facts About This Field</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Work Environment</td><td> Clinical setting, office setting, school setting</td></tr>
<tr><td>Possible Careers</td><td> Caseworker, Parent Aide, Community College Teacher</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Observational skills, communications skills, active listening skills, interpersonal relationship skills</td></tr>
<tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> Many programs available completely online</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$48,520 <i>(Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>22% growth <i>(Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---AssociateSDegreeInBehavioralHealth">Associate's Degree in Behavioral Health</h3><p>An example of an associate's degree program can be found at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. Its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Advanced Behavioral Health Sciences/Recovery program prepares the student for a career working as a Behavioral Health technician, case manager or paraprofessional counselor. The focus of the program is on practical training and service learning. In the required courses, students are introduced to human relations, group dynamics, addiction and substance disorder, and case report writing. Other core courses cover:
</p><ul><li>Child and family advocacy
</li><li>Counseling and multicultural settings
</li><li>Developmental psychology
</li><li>Therapeutic intervention
</li></ul><h3 id="section---BachelorSDegreeInBehavioralHealth">Bachelor's Degree In Behavioral Health</h3><p>The program offered by Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, gives you an idea of a typical bachelor's degree's structure. It offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in Behavioral Health Counseling. The program provides students with knowledge and skills needed for students pursuing a career in today's mental health and addiction's treatment settings. Common courses include Lifespan human development, foundation of behavioral healthcare, behavior disorders and genetics and mental health.
</p><h3 id="section---MasterSDegreeInBehavioralHealth">Master's Degree in Behavioral Health</h3><p>For an example of a master's program, you might look to Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. It offers a Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences degree program. Students in the degree program will acquire critical thinking and research skills. Focus of the program includes courses in biostatistics in public health, social and behavioral science theories, environmental health concepts in public health and fundamentals of public health epidemiology.</p>
