Bachelor of Arts in 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.
Areas of Concentration
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.
Career Success
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.
Curriculum Overview
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)**
Behavioral Health Major Requirements (Total 48 Credits)
BHS 201 Foundations of Chemical Dependency
BHS 202 Origins of Mental Illness
BHS 203 Neuropharmacology
BHS 204 Counseling Theories
BHS 303 Counseling Techniques I
BHS 330 Crisis Intervention
BHS 402 Mgmt. of Human Service Agencies
PSY 215 Multicultural Issues in Psychology
BHS Practicums (12 credits)
Choose 12 credits within one concentration
Chemical Dependency Concentration
BHS 220 Intervention and Prevention
BHS 230 Assessment and Evaluation
BHS 240 Addictive Behaviors
BHS 304 Counseling Techniques II
BHS 305 Group Counseling I
BHS 306 Group Counseling II
BHS 400 Marriage and Family Counseling
BHS 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR-
BHS 413 Special Issues Seminar
Mental Health Concentration
BHS 230 Assessment and Evaluation
BHS 240 Addictive Behaviors
BHS 300 Case Management
PSY 403 Psychopathology -OR-
BHS 414 Emotional Behavioral Pathology
BHS 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR-
BHS 413 Special Issues Seminar
Child Welfare Concentration
BHS 300 Case Management
BHS 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR-
BHS 413 Special Issues Seminar
CJ 377 Juvenile Justice System
CJ 411 Domestic Violence
SW 201 Introduction to Social Work
SW 202 Social Services to Children
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 Continuing Studies Coordinator, at 1-800-ALVERNIA (1-888-258-3764, ext. 6) or continuingstudies@alvernia.edu.