Which Schools Offer Online Degree Programs in Mental Health?
The online divisions of several brick-and-mortar schools host degree programs in mental health, specifically in areas such as counseling and nursing. Read on to find out what online degree programs are available in mental health.
About Online Mental Health Degree Programs
Most mental health distance-education programs are offered at the master's-degree level, although doctoral-level programs do exist. While the majority of classes are available online, students may be required to attend campus sessions for specific clinical studies. Listed below are two examples of online schools that offer mental health degree programs.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisFieldOfStudy">Important Facts About This Field of Study</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Common Courses</td><td> Psychology, abnormal psychology, social work, and ethical and legal issues in counseling</td></tr>
<tr><td>Concentrations</td><td> General Psychology, Biological Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology, and Criminology</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td> Master's degree or PhD in Mental Health Counseling</td></tr>
<tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> For undergraduate degree programs, must have a high school diploma; may be helpful to have taken high-school level psychology or sociology courses; for graduate-level degrees must have a bachelor's degree; may be helpful to have a degree in psychology or counseling</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td> $36,230 (<i>for psychiatric technicians and aides</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 9% growth (<i>for psychiatric technicians and aides</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---UniversityOfMassachusettsOnline">University of Massachusetts Online</h3><p>Students who are interested in pursuing an online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling degree can enroll in the University of Massachusetts online extension program, which is available to applicants who do not live near one of the school's campuses. This public university's mental health graduate program consists of 60 credit-hours. It also requires two internships and one clinical practicum, which may be completed in a town convenient to the student. Classes that can be completed virtually include:
</p><ul><li>Behavioral counseling
</li><li>Pharmacology
</li><li>Legal and ethical issues in professional practice
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfMissouriOnline">University of Missouri Online</h3><p>The University of Missouri Online offers another option for aspiring professionals. Specifically, students can focus on mental health through the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. One of the program's areas of specialization is the Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Designed to prepare nurse leaders who have strong clinical and management skills, the program emphasizes advanced nursing research, epidemiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology and leadership. Students can take between two and six years to complete the coursework requirements. Other areas of study include:
</p><ul><li>Pediatric mental health assessment and treatment
</li><li>Mental health nursing interventions for families
</li><li>Group therapy and social skills training
</li><li>Brief individual psychotherapy for nurses
</li><li>Diagnostics and pharmacology for mental health nurses
</li><li>Advanced health assessment and promotion</li></ul>