Mental Health

The Mental Health Associate of Applied Science Degree and College Certificate program covers the fundamentals of mental health with a concentration in such areas as group process, social science, psychopathology and preventive and rehabilitative therapies. 

Social and human service assistants help people get through difficult times or get additional support. They help other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find community services. For people with mental illnesses, social and human service assistants help clients find resources to cope with their illness. They find self-help and support groups to provide their clients with an assistance network. In addition, they help those with more severe mental illnesses care for themselves by finding personal care services or group housing. 

What’s the Job Outlook for Social and Human Service Assistants?

Employment of social and human service assistants is projected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2020, Social and Human Service Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-andsocial-service/social-and-human-serviceassistants.htm

37
credits required to complete a Mental Health Certificate
63
credits required to complete a Mental Health AAS
$35,060
median annual wage for social and human service assistants as of 2019

What’s Required to Complete the Mental Health Program?

A certificate in mental health from WCCCD requires 37 credits to complete. An AAS in mental health from WCCCD requires 63 total credits.

As a mental health student at WCCCD, you’ll take both general education courses and courses required for a mental health major.

Some students plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after earning their AAS. If that’s your goal, you might choose specific courses. Talk with your advisor about a personalized plan that meets your goals.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Mental Health Degree?

Most mental health students take five semesters (2.5 years) to complete AAS degree prerequisites and required courses. 

What Will I Learn as a Mental Health Student?

WCCCD mental health students learn the fundamentals of mental health with a concentration in such areas as group process, social science, psychopathology and preventive and rehabilitative therapies. Clinical and classroom training will familiarize you with the delivery of services to adult clients. You will also study interviewing techniques and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. The curriculum is designed for those who desire employment in human service settings.

Recommended course sequence:

Where is WCCCD’s Mental Health Program Offered?

The Mental Health program is offered at our Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus

As a WCCCD student, you can take courses, use facilities, and get involved at any of our six locations.

 

Contact Info

Phone: 313-496-2600

Email: edaffairs@wcccd.edu