Behavioral Health

What you'll learn

Step into the essential field of mental health as a valued paraprofessional with this Behavioral Health microcredential. Through a combination of classroom instruction and field experience, you will gain invaluable insights and skills essential for success in mental health settings. You will learn about behavior generally as well as the impact that substance abuse, trauma-related issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), physical and emotional abuse can have on behavior. You will learn about the latest developments in counseling and therapeutic care, drawing from principles of health psychology and patient treatment strategies. You will have the opportunity to put what you are learning to work in a 54 hour field work experience. Successful completion of this microcredential prepares you for continued study and provides some of the practical work experience you will need to pursue professional certification. Successful completion of this microcredential prepares you for continued study, internships and to immediately apply for entry-level or paraprofessional levels jobs such as community health specialist, behavioral health assistant, or mental health case manager. This microcredential serves as a precursor to the advanced training needed for the Behavioral Health Technician certification as well as for the CASAC (Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor) certification-your professor can help you prepare for next steps depending on your interests.