Addictions and Mental Health Treatment

B.A. in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment Overview

Addictions and Mental Health Treatment refers generally to how a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors impact their overall health, wellness and social functioning. Addictions and Mental Health Treatment professionals deal with the prevention, intervention, treatment and sustained recovery from addictions and other forms of mental illness.

Alvernia’s Bachelor of Arts program in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment provides students with a solid core of knowledge and skills to prepare them for professional positions in areas such as counseling, case management, prevention, administration and other areas in the Addictions and Mental Health Treatment field. With its connections to the closely related disciplines of psychology, social work and criminal justice, the Alvernia Addictions and Mental Health Treatment program is designed to develop the broad-based competencies necessary to address the many challenges presented by today’s complex addictions and mental health treatment problems.

Students who major in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment will find their educational experience both enriching and enjoyable. Coursework is designed with a practice-based emphasis grounded in current theory and evidence-based practices. This critical connection between theory and practice allows for the synthesis of knowledge and skills that can be directly applied in the real world.

At Alvernia, Addictions and Mental Health Treatment majors also complement quality classroom education with 400 hours of field placements in approved agencies. Such placements give Addictions and Mental Health Treatment majors valuable exposure to and experience in actual clinical environments prior to graduation.

With 40 years of history, Alvernia’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment degree is one of the oldest and best of its kind to be found at the college or university level. In 2018, it was ranked #10 among the Top 25 Small Colleges for Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees by SR Education Group (sreducationgroup.org).

The BA in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment is available fully online and in traditional classroom settings offered at Alvernia’s main campus in Reading as well as our Pottsville and Philadelphia campuses.

Careers in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment

Addictions and Mental Health Treatment is a dynamic and growing field with an increasing need for qualified, professional employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder professionals is projected to increase by 31 percent between 2012 and 2022, a rate much higher than the average for all occupations.

With a BA in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment, you might find employment with an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation center, a hospital, or an agency that serves children. You might work in a mental health facility, for a corporate employee-assistance program, or within the criminal justice system. You may work as a counselor, a case manager, a prevention specialist or a client advocate. The possibilities and opportunities for meaningful employment and professional advancement are as dynamic as the field of addictions and mental health treatment itself.

Graduates of the Alvernia Addictions and Mental Health Treatment program enjoy a very high employment placement rate, and members of the Career Development Office are available to offer job search advice and help you prepare for your job search.

Addictions and Mental Health Treatment courses are approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB), the foremost drug and alcohol credentialing organization in the state. Certification by the PCB is reciprocal among other U.S. states and internationally. A BA in Addictions and Mental Health Treatment fulfills the requirement for certification and re-certification of addiction counselors by the PCB.

Curriculum

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to complete a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. All Addictions and Mental Health Treatment students must complete the following courses within the major. (Note: “C” grade or higher must be obtained for all AMH courses)

Required Core:
AMH 201 Foundations of Chemical Dependency
AMH 202 Origins of Mental Illness
AMH 204 Counseling Theories
AMH 230 Assessment and Evaluation
AMH 303 Counseling Techniques I
AMH 305 Group Counseling I
AMH 310 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
AMH 330 Crisis Intervention
AMH Practicums (404, 405, 406, 407) 12 credits/400 hours of field experience total

Required Related Area:
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 208 Development Across the Lifespan
PSY 215 Multicultural Psychology

Students must also choose three major elective courses (9 credits) from AMH, CJ, PSY or SW (6 credits must be at 300-400 level)

Addictions and Mental Health Treatment Elective Courses Include:

AMH 240 Addictive Behaviors
AMH 300 Case Management
AMH 304 Counseling Techniques II
AMH 306 Group Counseling I
AMH 315 Treatment Planning and Case Conceptualization
AMH 320 Neuropharmacology
AMH 400 Marriage and Family Counseling
AMH 402 Management of Human Service Agencies
AMH 411 Counseling Special Populations -OR- BH 413 Special Issues Seminar

Faculty

Alvernia’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment faculty members are dedicated, highly qualified professionals who are committed to sharing their expertise and knowledge with students. Faculty members have extensive experience in various aspects of the addictions and mental health treatment field, and bring their expertise to the classroom. They often work one-on-one with students to enhance the student’s learning experience, and serve as mentors to aspiring students.

All Addictions and Mental Health Treatment faculty members are experts in the classroom and in their professional areas. Faculty members are actively engaged in research, have written articles that have appeared in prestigious publications and have presented nationally and internationally at conferences.

Alvernia’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment faculty members aren’t just teachers or college professors. They’re highly regarded experts in their respective fields who are committed to passing along their knowledge and expertise to students. Most importantly, they’re eminently qualified to help you succeed as a future behavioral health professional.

Addictions and Mental Health Treatment faculty members possess significant clinical and administrative experience in various settings related to addiction, mental health and other areas of the behavioral healthcare continuum. They understand the many challenges facing today’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment professionals because they successfully deal with these challenges every day. They include seasoned clinicians, supervisors and managers, serve as board members of prestigious organizations, and routinely present at conferences both nationally and internationally.

Experiential Learning

Through internships, students have opportunities to apply theories and knowledge learned in the classroom in a variety of professional settings. In addition to providing exposure to the activities and expectations of a real-world workplace, internship experiences help students develop their network of professional contacts.

Tuition

To determine the cost of this program, please visit our Tuition page. For a personalized estimate, please contact an admissions counselor at 610-790-8269 or at admissions@alvernia.edu.

Financial Aid

Alvernia offers loan, grants, scholarships, and payment plans. Our admissions counselors can help you identify the aid that is available to you and for your program. For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.

Accreditation

All programs offered by Alvernia University are approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

Learn More

For more information about Alvernia’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment Program, please contact the Admissions Office at 1-888-ALVERNIA or 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu, or reach out directly to:

David G. Reyher, MS, CAADC

Instructor, Addictions and Mental Health Treatment
Francis Hall, Second Floor, Room 218-B
610-796-8318

david.reyher@alvernia.edu