Behavioral Health
Alvernia’s Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Health offers concentrations in addictions studies, mental health, and child welfare. Our Addiction Studies program is one of the first of its kind in the United States.
Students who pursue this major find the subject area highly relevant, challenging, and rewarding in their quest to understand some of society’s major problems. The degree is strongly valued by related fields such as criminal justice, mental health, and children and youth agencies. Therefore, employment and placement opportunities are usually favorable for its majors upon graduation.
In addition to academic quality, the program’s commitment to excellence is exemplified through its faculty selection. The highly-trained faculty provides an educationally rich and engaging classroom experience. Students complement their classroom education with two field placements where they gain hands-on experience in a workplace environment.
The Behavioral Health curriculum provides both theoretical and practical training for professional roles in three major areas of concentration.
Addiction Studies
> This concentration recognizes the need for the chemical dependency professional to establish related competencies in other areas – particularly that of mental health.
Mental health
> This concentration provides a core of expertise and experience for students who wish to find employment in mental health clinics and centers immediately after graduation. Its addiction studies component increases graduates’ job readiness
Child welfare
> This concentration provides students with the essential knowledge to address the problem of child maltreatment. Abuse and neglect investigation, in-home services, out-of-home placement, adoption, and parenting education are just a few of the multiple employment opportunities that await graduates in this focus area.
Behavioral Health graduates find employment in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers, hospitals, corporate employee assistance programs, prevention and intervention centers, and other social agencies. The Behavioral Health program maintains an extremely high employment placement rate. The Career Services Office can provide assistance with resume preparation, interviewing and job searches.
Career Opportunities
Prevention/Education
Addiction Counseling
Case Management
Probation/Parole
Child Welfare and Related Agencies
Community-based Prevention/Education Programs
Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Programs
Inpatient and Halfway House Programs
Hospital Detoxification Programs
Methadone Centers
Certification
All courses are approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB), the foremost drug and alcohol credentialing organization in Pennsylvania.
Coursework from the Behavioral Health program can be used to fulfill Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) requirements for certification and re-certification of addiction counselors. Students from outside Pennsylvania should contact the CAC board in their state for information about requirements and the certification process.
Note: Advisors can tell you whether you can get credit for your life experience applied toward your degree.
BA/Behavioral Health
Liberal Arts Core (54/55 credits)*
General Elective requirements (as needed)**
BH 201 Foundations of Addictions
BH 202 Origins of Mental Illness
BH 204 Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy
BH 230 Assessment and Evaluation
BH 303 Counseling Techniques I
BH 330 Crisis Intervention
BH 402 Mgmt. of Human Service Agencies
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
BH Practicums (12 credits)
Choose 12 credits within one concentration
Addictions Study Concentration
BH 203 Neuropharmacology
BH 220 Intervention and Prevention
BH 240 Addictive Behaviors
BH 304 Counseling Techniques II
BH 305 Group Counseling I
BH 306 Group Counseling II
BH 400 Marriage and Family Counseling
BH 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR-
BH 413 Special Issues Seminar
BH 414 Emotional and Behavioral Pathology
Mental Health Concentration
BH 203 Neuropharmacology
BH 240 Addictive Behaviors
BH 300 Case Management
BH 304 Counseling Techniques II
BH 306 Group Counseling II
BH 400 Marriage and Family Counseling
BH 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR-
BH 413 Special Issues Seminar
BH 414 Emotional Behavioral Pathology
Child Welfare Concentration
SW 201 Introduction to Social Work
SW 202 Social Services to Children
SW 301 Social Welfare
CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ 175 Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
CJ 272 Probation and Parole -OR-
CJ 274 Corrections and Rehabilitation
BH 300 Case Management
BH 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR-
BH 413 Special Issues Seminar
Note: Advisors can tell you whether you can get credit for your life experience applied toward your degree.
*Students entering the program with 70+ credits or an associates degree must complete 30/31 Liberal Arts Core credits.
**A total of 123 credits including 3 credits in a human diversity course are required to complete a Bachelor’s degree. To adhere to Franciscan Values, community service hours are also required. In addition, at least 30 credits at the 300/400 level must be taken at Alvernia University.
For more information about this exciting degree opportunity, contact the Adult Education Coordinator, at 1-888-ALVERNIA (1-888-258-3764, ext. 6) or adultedu@alvernia.edu.
You can also request to be sent more information about the Behavioral Health degree program.