Mental Health Studies Certificate

CONTACT

Donna Rowe, 413.552.2029, drowe@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Certificate in Mental Health Studies will serve as a professional development tool for those employed in the mental health and human services field, for those seeking to begin work in entry level roles, and as an academic stepping stone toward the Associate of Science degree in human services with transfer options to Bachelor of Science degree programs in human services and social work. Students are encouraged to enter this certificate program in the Fall semester. If they do so, it is possible to complete this certificate in one year, in consultation with their advisor. This program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and awareness needed to work in a variety of mental health and human services settings in roles such as mental health assistant, mental health associate, mental health aide, caseworker aide, outreach assistant, crisis intervention aide, and direct support worker. Throughout this course sequence, emphasis will be placed on understanding the concept and field of mental health as encompassing mental illness, crisis and trauma response, and social, emotional, and psychological well-being of individuals of all ages.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

examine the concept and field of mental health as encompassing mental illness, crisis and trauma response, and social, emotional, and psychological well-being of individuals of all ages
develop an understanding of the field of human services and social work through a multicultural lens and apply the skills and awareness needed to work in a variety of service settings
develop a foundational framework in the field of psychology, to include a focus on child and/or adolescent psychology, abnormal psychology, human sexuality, health psychology or group dynamics
examine the various roles available for a career in community mental health, social work, and human service settings
develop an applied knowledge base for concepts such as trauma-related symptoms, the impact of trauma on families and communities, resilience, post-traumatic growth, and crisis intervention
apply their growing knowledge of trauma to their developing professional roles

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 24 CREDITS

HSV 105 - Crisis Intervention Credit(s): 3
HSV 113 - Introduction to Human Services Credit(s): 3
HSV 122 - Diversity and Social Justice for the Service Practitioner Credit(s): 3
HSV 123 - Helping Skills, Techniques, and Ethics in Human Services and Social Work Credit(s): 3
HSV 141 - Foundations of Trauma and Trauma Informed Care/Services Credit(s): 3
PSY 110(B) - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 216(B) - Human Development Credit(s): 3
PSY 217(B) - Abnormal Psychology Credit(s): 3

PROGRAM ELECTIVES: 3 CREDITS

Select 1 of the following:

ANT 255(B) - UnNatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? Credit(s): 3
HSV 212(B) - Group Dynamics and Practice Credit(s): 3
PSY 200(B) - Information Literacy in Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 203(B) - Human Sexuality Credit(s): 3
PSY 210(B) - Social Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 215(B) - Child Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 218(B) - Adolescent Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSY 224(B) - Psychology of Women Credit(s): 3
PSY 226(B) - Health Psychology Credit(s): 3

TOTAL: 27 CREDITS

NOTES

It is strongly recommend that students consult with their advisor on course selection.

Depending on course selection, 100% of this program can be completed online. Go to Online Learning for more information.

(H029)